PSA for folks in Barcelona: pickpocket gangs are getting way too bold

I've been based in Barcelona for a few months, and the theft situation feels worse. Just yesterday, I was at a coworking spot in Gracia, and my backpack was zipped up under the table. A person asked for directions, and while I was helping, their partner swiped my power bank and wallet. I didn't even feel it happen. Other digital nomads I've met here share similar stories lately. It seems these groups are targeting cafes and shared workspaces more often. I lost some cash and had to deal with replacing my IDs, which was a huge hassle. So, keep your bags in sight and maybe use a clip to secure them to something.

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benk877mo ago

It's the distraction, not just the location.

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emmag407mo ago

Totally agree with @benk87 on this. Distractions can creep in no matter where you are, right? Sometimes moving spots just shifts the type of interruption you face. If your mind is pulled in ten directions, a quiet room won't fix much. So maybe the real fix is managing those pulls, not just the place.

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victorross7mo ago

Yeah, when you said "if your mind is pulled in ten directions"... that's my default setting. I once tried working in a soundproof room and still ended up debating with myself about lunch options. So changing spots just gives my brain new material to obsess over... like, oh good, now I can worry about the weird wall color instead of my inbox. Managing those pulls sounds nice, but my attention span is basically a goldfish on coffee. It's like telling a squirrel to just focus on one acorn. Maybe we just accept that focus is a myth and embrace the chaos.

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