D.I.E. Cultural Event

Description: A huge culture shock was the amount of pick pocketing we were warned about. Especially, when Professor Kelly got his phone stolen. As well as, when a group that was touring with us and their bag got cut into and a wallet stolen. We were really shown then how far pickpocketers can go to get any type of money. Everyone warned us, even strangers would walk up to us warning us to keep our bags safe. 

Interpretation: I think we are mostly targeted due to us looking, well, American. Us acting foreign and some of us having to little or no Spanish adds to this. With how many people warned us, it really shows how everyone in Chile is helpful regarding trying to prevent something bad from happening to us. 

Evaluation: Everywhere in the world people pick pocket, even in the United States. When I go to D.C. I do not worry about putting my backpack in front of me or burring my wallet in my bag because I look American. While other people who travel there are warned tons while going there because of their high pickpocketing rate. I just find it interesting because Latin American countries are sometimes "looked down upon" due to them having a lot of cases from Americans that get pick pocketed, but D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles also have high pick pocketing rates. Regardless of the area, inside or outside the States, you still need to take proper action on your items to make sure they are not stolen. Regardless, I feel like no one in New York City would warn a traveler that they need to keep their items out of their pockets, but here in Chile, the whole community tries to prevent it from happening all together.