What scams should I watch out for in Rome?

The four you will actually encounter: the "friendship bracelet" hustle near the Colosseum and Spanish Steps, where someone ties a bracelet on your wrist before you can object and then demands payment; the rose hand-off, where a vendor presses a flower on your companion and expects money once you've accepted it; the fake petition, where someone asks you to sign a clipboard and then demands a donation, sometimes while an accomplice picks your pocket; and the restaurant menu switch, where a tourist-facing trattoria shows you a simple menu outside but delivers a different, inflated one with mandatory coperto charges and "market price" seafood. Counter-moves are simple: keep both hands occupied near the Colosseum, say "no grazie" firmly without breaking stride, never accept anything handed to you unsolicited, and photograph the posted menu before sitting. Pickpockets concentrate on the 40 and 64 buses toward the Vatican. A crossbody bag worn in front eliminates most risk entirely.

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Plan a real trip there, and Trip Friend can answer every follow-up — with your dates, your style, and your places baked into the conversation.

• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in Rome?
• Where do locals drink coffee in Rome?
• What does a local breakfast look like in Rome?
• Where is the street food in Rome actually good?
• Where can I eat after midnight in Rome?
• How do I get from the airport to the city in Rome?