[throwaway290]

I wasn't talking about China, plenty places I would feel unsafe as a foreigner due to xenophobia. Panopticon thing is similarly bad yeah. Imagine how bad it would be without CCTVs.

I mean cities in other countries, without such a central CCTV network but still safe. Walk with XL sized phone hanging out from your back pocket in city centre safe. If you can do it in Paris (or leave your laptop in a cafe while you go pee) then sure.

But I read a story how phone was snatched out from guy's hands at a crossing in central London so I doubt it. I use phone while walking a lot so in Europe I should better be rich enough I can buy a new one easily.