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There are a couple of hassles in Bucharest that you should be aware of during your stay. If at some stage you're approached by two or three men demanding to see your passport, don't be too alarmed. Ignore their demands and do not give them anything - simply saying that all your documents are at the hotel should be enough to put them off - and walk off confidently; these self-styled tourist police are nothing more than cowardly con men. If they persist, insist that they accompany you to your hotel or the nearest police station, which should put them off.

You should also be extremely vigilant where your belongings are concerned, in particular at the Gara de Nord, where bags can suddenly disappear, and on the buses, where a standard trick is to slit bags open, thus emptying some of the contents. Keep your bag close to your chest and eyes peeled.

Another, more unusual hassle, are stray dogs - a massive problem in the city. During Ceausescu's systematization programme of the 1980s, many houses were bulldozed and owners had little choice but to kick their beloved canines out onto the street; since then the little beasts have been multiplying like nobody's business, which has resulted in small packs of dogs roaming the streets and scavenging around rubbish tips. If at any time you feel threatened, either walk on slowly and confidently or mime throwing a stone and they'll back off. Do not run! Whilst the chances of a nip on the ankles are slim, confrontations with these dogs can be unpleasant and intimidating