I'm almost scared now of leaving my house after reading all these post about pick pockets. I live in England and travel often around Europe and still yet to experiance a problem, but that maybe that coming from london everyone around me is trying to pick my pocket. And as for those people being friendly to you, yeah always be careful of them, imagine someone being friendly, i hate it when that happens.
I'm sure wearing whatever you like is the best advice to be given here, if you act natural and feel comfortable then you will just blend in to the thousands of other tourist or millions of locals.
My advice would follow as such, take all the care you would when you leave you're own house at home. If you live in a city then i'm sure that coming to europe will be no different to walking around at home, just keep you're eyes open. Not every European hates America actually most of them like you, we do hate Bush but what can you do.
Enjoy Europe and spend lots of money, their economy needs it. I wish you all happy travelling.
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"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke
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