Thursday, January 28, 2010

Pick-Pocketed

So I was pushing Eve home in her stroller from buying food at a nearby shopping center when I heard a noise behind me. I looked around to see my cell phone crash to the ground (the back and battery falling off) along with a 10 yuan bill (a fake one, in fact) from my pocket. Then there was a little scuffle with two men fighting behind me. Apparently I was being pick-pocketed when another man saw it happening and pushed the thief - hence why my cell phone fell on the ground instead of getting stolen. However, the pick-pocket was not alone, so the man that had helped me started to get beat up by several thieves! I saw him punched in the head and kicked really hard in the stomach! No wonder no one helps each other in China! I had no idea what to do. I wanted to jump in and hit people! I had just bought a 500 oz bottle of imported Italian olive oil and I considered grabbing it out of the basket under the stroller and using it like a club (really that is what I thought)!! but my mother instincts were too strong - I could not leave Eve's side. However, we were also in a pretty crowded street so I thought the last thing the thieves would want is to be noticed. So I started yelling "help" in Chinese. This is a little silly because the word for "help" literally means "save my life!" - it was a little over the top to be yelling "save my life!" when all I really wanted was for people to notice that I had been pick-pocketed. Anyway, I told the man who helped me to go (because he was out-numbered about 8 to 1). So he started walking away. However, several thieves followed after him (although I think more for intimidation than to hurt him again). So I started to follow too. He helped me so I should try to help him! However, two of the group stood in front of me. They kept telling me everything was fine now and I should go. They would not let me pass. I kept telling them they were bad people and they should leave the man that helped me alone!! One of the two was clearly no more than 12 or 13 years old -- so sad to teach him that stealing and fighting is okay! I looked in his clear young face and was very sad. I was confused and shaken up. So I yelled "thank you" to the man that helped me and turned to go (I didn't know what else to do). I picked up my cell phone pieces and the ten yuan and started to leave. As I walked away the thief turned to me and said, "be more careful next time". Can you believe he would have the gall to tell me to be more careful when he was one who was stealing from me!?!

7 comments:

Laura said...

Yikes! That's awful. I guess they figure if you give the opportunity it's your fault? That is so backwards. I'm glad you're okay though Amy. However, I can totally see you with the olive oil club:) Also, why are you carrying a fake 10 yuan with you?

Sarah said...

oh my goodness amy! that is crazy. i'm so glad you were safe. and bless that man for trying to help you. what a story!

AmyCurtis said...

The fake 10 yuan was because I was given a fake as change and I did not know it until later. (We foreigners are just too easy to cheat =) Anyway, So I had it in this pocket away from the rest of my money so that I would not accidentally give it to somebody else =)

Sarah said...

Scary story!! That is a really sad day that some people don't seem to have been taught better.
The only time I was pickpocketed was in Torino on a crowded bus - I was wearing my backpack in front and I looked down to see a hand reaching into the very front pocket of my bag. I called out but it wasn't a big deal anyway - if the guy wanted tampons that badly, I guess he could have them!

Jenna and Tyler said...

Wow!!! That is an insane story Amy! I can't believe that - what an experience!

Jared & Shannon said...

Scary! You were much braver than I ever would have been!!

Krystal said...

wow, how scary Amy! Glad you are okay...