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[–] 23 points 1 year ago (1 child)

America used to have plenty of pickpocketing, but it's pretty much gone away for a few reasons:

  • Pickpocket apprenticeships have fallen by the wayside, and the actual skills to be able to pull this off are no longer taught to young people.
  • The rise of cashless payment norms reduce the reward for a successful pickpocket: canceled credit cards won't do anything for anyone.
  • America is a violent place, and it's easier to steal with violence or the threat of violence.
  • Other types of sneaky nonviolent theft have arisen, and things like identity theft or hacking or other fraud is an alternative outlet for those who might want to non-violently steal someone else's money.

All this will likely happen in Europe, as well. Just maybe a slower transition in the pockets where cash is still common (tourist destinations with international travelers).

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