Fashion

[MalteseMomma]

I just bought 4 more of those ""The Gift of Fear"" books for the females in my family fo a little Christmas gift. Especially for my 18 yr old granddaughter that just started college away from home

[sinut]

I would like to give everyone a heads up on an incident that I encountered a few years back. I was coming out of the door at a shopping mall and this woman approached me, keep in mind I usually do not talk to anyone. However she was crying hysterically and told me her house just burned down and she doesn't have a thing and she had children. I found out later she was a really good actress. She must have caught me off guard and asked me for $$. I gave her twenty dollars, however I was suspicious (dummy me) so I walked around the mall for a little while and saw her again standing with the law around her. The next day I read in the newspaper about it. She was a fake, along with others that were doing this to other people. So I have learned my lesson on this one, never again, don't care what the circumstances are. I even told her she needs to contact the red cross or a local church that would help her. Should have listened to my gut instinct. I feel all women have that instinct, we just have to listen to it. This was around Christmas time too. So Ladies be careful, I usually give to well known charities and that way I know it is being put to a good cause. Bless you and have a healthy, happy holiday!!

[silkyk]

Hi MalteseMomma, I just would like to add that you PLEASE keep a close eye on your Maltese babies and all your pets! Sometimes these individuals pick petowners to "pupnap" their pets and hold them for ransom....aka reward. They wait for an add in the paper or online. Not very harsh laws about kidnapping pets so they aren't afraid to nab them and if no reward they just dump them. So please be careful!

[chick b]

MalteseMomma, I realize you've had more than enough responses to your original post but I just want to say your conflicted feelings are so completely normal. As women many of us have been raised/told to nurture & give; and as women many of us have had the message ingrained that we can be weak (physically) and susceptible to tremendous danger if we dare walk/live/deal with strangers while we are alone.

I do not have one female friend or family member who hasn't had some kind of situation like you described: wanting to help someone possibly in need but feeling very real fear about the situation. I am sorry this woman rattled you - it would have had the exact same effect on me and I'm speaking from personal experience. I'm glad you have family members nearby who you can count on.

Another reason I felt compelled to post is my concern regarding people here talking about strangers in their neighborhood. I'm sure you've all heard stories about delivery theft this time of year. Well, my friend's young daughter was home alone (around 5pm) and heard something at the door. She swung the door open and there was a man, holding a package UPS had already delivered (addressed to my friend). The man began to stammer and told the daughter - 'uh, I'm your neighbor and I thought UPS might have dropped my package off at your house in error'. The stranger then quickly dropped the package & left. Needless to say he was not a neighbor.

First, I can't even with this criminal who didn't even have the sense to tell a proper lie (such as 'this was mis-delivered to my house - just doin' my neighborly duty!'). I am just beyond thankful that nothing happened to the daughter. But people have been committing this kind of theft every year. I have to do a LOT of shopping online and of course I've noticed lapses in seasonal delivery service. Some thieves could be receiving inside info, some could just be tailing UPS trucks once they're familiarized themselves with neighborhood habits.

Even though I do agree with baker's comment regarding the truly needy, I guess what I'm saying is it's not paranoia when there are folks out there wanting to take whatever they can.

And not to be flip but if you feel uneasy get away from the situation - it's a lot easier to live with liberal guilt than a violent criminal encounter.

Sorry for the rambling - it's been a bad pain day.

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all.

[MalteseMomma]

Thank you all so much for your very helpful replies. I am certainly keeping my eyes out for her return. You can rest assured I will not do that again.

I do know about people stealing dogs. I keep a very close watch on my furbaby. I would die if anything happened to him or if he was stolen. We have not been out front of the house since this happened,I am staying in our yard. He really never likes to go there much anyway. He is fearful.

Nice world we live in,right!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas,Happy Hanukkah,and Happy and Safe New Year

[gabstoomuch]

It makes me sad the world has come to this. I am just like OP. Very trusting, and believe in people. I don't get out much, so 'worldly' I am not anymore.

Your story did remind me though of a similar happening about 15 years ago. My Dad was approached at his front door by someone wanting something. This person kept my Dad engaged in conversation (and he was 80, even less worldly than me!) and he was jsut a friendly old man completely oblivious to bad people.

Little did he know that while he was talking at the front door, a very silent thief broke in the BACK door, and cleaned him out of $6000.00 he had in a little safe in his bedroom (that generation still keeps cash in their homes. My Dad said it was just secure for him to have some money around).

The "I lost my whole family" probably would have been the biggest red flag for me in this situation, but I think I most likely would have reacted the same way as Maltese. I am glad you posted this. It is a good reminder for all of us to realize the world has changed dramatically!

[MalteseMomma]

On 12/21/2014 gabstoomuch said:

It makes me sad the world has come to this. I am just like OP. Very trusting, and believe in people. I don't get out much, so 'worldly' I am not anymore.

Your story did remind me though of a similar happening about 15 years ago. My Dad was approached at his front door by someone wanting something. This person kept my Dad engaged in conversation (and he was 80, even less worldly than me!) and he was jsut a friendly old man completely oblivious to bad people.

Little did he know that while he was talking at the front door, a very silent thief broke in the BACK door, and cleaned him out of $6000.00 he had in a little safe in his bedroom (that generation still keeps cash in their homes. My Dad said it was just secure for him to have some money around).

The "I lost my whole family" probably would have been the biggest red flag for me in this situation, but I think I most likely would have reacted the same way as Maltese. I am glad you posted this. It is a good reminder for all of us to realize the world has changed dramatically!

Gabby,This is the first thing my son told me when I told him what happened. I know this is common and I still didn't think of it. You can bet I will be trying to be more aware and careful Yes,it is very sad the world has become like this.

[AugustPeridot]

Never know whom to trust. I find it interesting that I never see people asking for money or items approach a couple or a group of people. They always seem to target the person by herself. Be safe and always observant.