topic Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended..... in Community Chat

Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

chrystaltree — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:42:59 GMT

When you are in church and you get up to take communion, do you leave your handbag on your handbag sitting out on the pew? I don't. I always take my handbag with me and I always carry larger bags. I've seen some stares..lol I've noticed that most women leave there bags sitting there for anyone one to walk off with. I've never heard of it happening but it could....it's not like only good people go to church. My sister somestimes goes to our church and she's embarrassed by it.....she never sits with me...lol I do the same thing when I go to my hairdresser. She always says I can leave my bag under the counter next to her bag. I noticed that all the ladies do that but I carry my bag with me everywhere I go. None of the other clients do that. Which always shocks me because it's a huge salon with so many people coming and going and the last time I went there were plumbers and electricians traipsing through to do some repairs in the back and.....all those handbags sitting there on display. I'm probably overly cautious but I'd rather be overly cautious than a victim of some type of theft that was avoidable.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

OnlyShopsOnline — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:46:36 GMT

When I go to mass, many times I don't even take a handbag. If I do, I lock it in the trunk of the car.

ETA: My husband usually drives, so I don't need my keys or anything else in there.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Sunshine Kate — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:45:46 GMT

When I go to the salon, I wear a small crossbody and have only my bare necessities. I've also done this at church.

I change to my other larger handbag when I get home.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

catwhisperer — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:45:54 GMT

@chrystaltree...I totally agree.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Scooby Doo — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:50:42 GMT

I put my handbag in the trunk before I leave the garage, and carry a small wristlet with money and keys if I don't have pockets.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Stormygirl — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:54:27 GMT

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is the saying and I say good! Times have changed unfortunately and I dont know the ages of folks here but the older folks who are sometimes the most trusting are often targets of thievery and deceit. I have seen the terrible aftermath of those targeted by credit card and identity theft and the months, years it takes to recover ones good credit and name. I would say no matter how it appears or looks to others is worth being extra prudent. Have a great day...........Stormy

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Krimpette — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:54:45 GMT

I always take my purse to church and put it up on my shoulder when i go up for communion. Most of the women I see do the same.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Apple Crisp — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:58:03 GMT

I have done both, but lately have been taking it with me for Communion. I use a crossbody so I am hands free. We have to be extra cautious in this world of ours.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Q4u — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:03:12 GMT

I would never leave my purse on the seat while taking communion or leaving my seat for any reason....

There is NOTHING that stops ANYONE from coming into the Church specifically to walk off with a few purses! I don't think it would ever be one of the parishoners.... but sure could be someone walking in off the street dressed like they were going to Church just to rob?

A nice cross body bag would come in perfect.... or a little waist bag....

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

BabyYoda — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:03:50 GMT

@chrystaltree ITA with you! It is a different world we live in now. Growing up in my church we would leave our handbags on the pew when we got up for communion. In today's world no way would I leave my bag on the pew or floor when I get communion.

My church already had a few handbags taken and a warning was put in the bulletin about it but I still see women leaving their bags! I carry a smaller bag on my shoulder and go up to receive communion. Same at the hairdressers, they tell me to leave the bag on the back counter with other women's bags. I won't do that. I take my bag with me to the back to get my shampoo and also at my hairdressers station. I see bags all over the salon and it is very busy with people walking around all the time. I once put down my sunglasses at my hairdresser station a few years ago and got up to use the bathroom and when I got back they were gone!

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Q4u — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:05:40 GMT

SHould read: ...leaving it on my seat for any reason."

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

CaneCorsoMom — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:07:30 GMT

There is nothing embarassing about taking your handbag with you got get communion at church - nothing. Also - the police say the worst place to leave your handbag is in a trunk - they do not recomend it. And leaving your purse in a pile at the hairdressers is downright nuts!

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Perkup — Mon, 16 May 2016 00:07:14 GMT

@Stormygirl wrote:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is the saying and I say good! Times have changed unfortunately and I dont know the ages of folks here but the older folks who are sometimes the most trusting are often targets of thievery and deceit. I have seen the terrible aftermath of those targeted by credit card and identity theft and the months, years it takes to recover ones good credit and name. I would say no matter how it appears or looks to others is worth being extra prudent. Have a great day...........Stormy

Hi, Stormy - I agree with most everything you said, but I don't think it's those of us who are older who are the most trusting. In fact, I often see it just the opposite. It seems to me, based on my family and friends, that it's the young people who are the most trusting. Just last month a 35 year old grandson left his phone lying on a counter in a restaurant - Gone! Some of us "older" folks were brought up poor and protective of our "stuff", and we don't leave anything open to chance. But crooks are always looking for an advantage, and they think age is one. I take my purse with me, or I leave it in the trunk and put the car key in my pocket. If I leave it in the trunk, there is nothing of interest in it. Just the purse. Or I leave home with just my drivers' license, a credit card, and car keys in a pocket. And I never leave home without pockets!!!

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

catwhisperer — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:20:13 GMT

I live in a "nice" neighborhood. There have been ten car break ins in the past week in our local shopping center. Women are leaving their purses in their vehicles and the thieves are on the prowl. Don't even get me started on the women who leave their purses unattended in shopping carts.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

chrystaltree — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:21:10 GMT

It surprised me that so many people leave their handbags in the trunk of their car. Shocking actually. I'd never do that, I wouldn't feel safe doing that. So many cars are stolen everyday! Everywhere, not just in bad areas. But it's good to hear that I'm not the only cautious and realistic person.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Frosted Cake — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:27:02 GMT

I do the same thing. I bring my purse to the sinks at the salon to wash my hair, I bring it back to the chair for the cut & style. When I go to a restaurant that is a buffet type one (like Sweet Tomatoes here) I bring my purse (and sometimes I wear that Lori Granier belt clip bag). I never leave my purse unattended.

At the gas station, I lock my purse in the car even though I'm right there pumping gas. I am cautious and always have been. it takes a second for someone to swipe it.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Nataliesgramma — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:30:36 GMT

I had my Totes umbrella stolen in Church....

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Lyttlewyng — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:31:04 GMT

I wear a small cross body bag at the salon too. Inevitably though, either my stylist or shampoo gal will tug on the strap and ask, "Do you WANT to leave this on?" And I answer yes. I know they are protecting themselves in case hair color accidentally gets on my clothes, or they think it's uncomfortable for me. I stand firm and politely say it's fine.

I won't leave my bag unattended, even at my stylist's station and I've been going to her for years.

The same opinion applies to church. Take your purse with you.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

athenian — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:43:54 GMT

Since the church we went to in Florida had two purses stolen during Christmas Eve communion, I just take a clutch with tissues, comb, etc., no wallet.

What about cafeteria-type restaurants and salad bars? I take my purse, but most don't.

Re: Speaking of leaving handbags unattended.....

Mominohio — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:45:38 GMT

I find that more and more, I'm not carrying things in my purse that would be a problem if the bag was lifted.

First, I rarely carry an expensive purse. In many places, it is just advertising 'steal me' to do so.

Second, I feel I need my purse for a lot of 'necessities' that I want with me when I'm out and about. But I'm not carrying my checkbook, credit cards, wallet in my purse many times now, but in something like the Lori Greiner thingy my mom got me instead, kept close to my body, with just the necessary things like id, credit card, cash, phone and keys. This way, if someone gets my purse, they get stuff that doesn't matter and can be replaced, not my important things or cash.

I don't like that we live in a world where we can't just leave our things lay and they will be fine, but it is what it is.

At our church, communion is passed out while we stay in the seats, so no problem there.