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Why you shouldn't hang your purse over the back of your chair in Boston

Why you shouldn't hang your purse over the back of your chair in Boston

Old Jan 14th, 2015, 02:52 AM
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Why you shouldn't hang your purse over the back of your chair in Boston

This kind of thing is frequently reported on the Europe forum, and it has happened over the years in Boston as it probably does in most cities.

The Boston police have posted photos of a woman stealing from purses left on chairs or slung over the back of occupied chairs in a couple of popular restaurants:

http://www.universalhub.com/2015/pol...-bay-need-keep

Just a reminder.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 03:59 AM
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Sorry - nothing to do with Boston. Saw this happen to a woman in a cafe in VERY upscale Greenwich CT - kid riding by just pulled it off the chair and rode away on his bike. And a friend had her purse stolen from the cart in a large supermarket in Southampton.

Women - you should NEVER let go of your purse in public - anywhere. If in a restaurant or theater keep it in your lap - or if on the floor keep the strap wrapped around your ankle.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 04:08 AM
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I never, never let go of my purse...anywhere! It can happen anyplace in this world....Just common sense....
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 05:06 AM
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DUH. If you do that anywhere you are an idiot.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 05:31 AM
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Years and years ago, a friend and I were having lunch at a small Boston restaurant. My friend put her bag containing records she had purchased between her chair and the wall. The boy at the next table must have lifted the records out because her bag was empty when we got up to leave. There are gadgets that will allow you to hang your purse off the table. I will put a large bag between my feet.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 06:27 AM
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And for men it could happen regarding filched wallets...gee I've eaten in places on Newbury and Boylston. Always be on the alert in cities anywhere.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 10:22 AM
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Not just cities. It can easily happen in the local market or mall. No place except inside your own house is safe for leaving a purse alone.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 10:34 AM
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I tend to be more cautious when traveling than at home, though I agree that theft can happen anywhere and purses are always vulnerable. And I could see how a tourist is perhaps more easily distracted in strange surroundings and therefore more likely to absent-mindedly leave a purse unattended.

I am always floored by the women who use the basket part of a shopping cart to hold their purse, and then walk away from the cart!

This thread is a good reminder to mind your stuff, wherever you are.
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 12:49 PM
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This happens everywhere. When I was a teenager in NYC, had this happen numerous times. (Duh, you think I would have learned after it was stolen the first time, wouldn't you?!)
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 04:12 PM
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Don't leave stuff visible in an unattended car.
Lock windows and doors.
Don't leave a spare key under the door mat.
Don't let young children or pets play unattended.
Don't flash cash in public places.
Men: put your wallet in a front pocket.
Drive with headlights on.
Look both ways when crossing streets.
Don't smoke.
Eat more fruit and vegetables.
Don't drive when you could walk.
Neither or borrower nor a lender be.
Don't make excuses.
Pay taxes gladly.
Take the stairs.
Be kind to others.

HTtY
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 05:43 PM
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I believe people are basically honest and good . . . (just kidding).

Had a waitress is Paris very emphatically warn my wife not to leave her purse hanging off the back of her chair on the street side. We're from NY, and she'd never think of doing that at home, but I guess you sometimes let your guard down on vacation.

Having followed the Spenser series for years I am not shocked to hear that crime has finally come to Boston, but sorry, none-the-less. Thanks for the reminder.
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Old Mar 1st, 2015, 04:42 AM
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Where I live women do this all the time and don't have problems. I don't do it, I guess I have a more suspicious mindset. At some cafeteria restaurants, I used to see women take some money from their wallet and leave their purse at the table (with their wallet, cell phone etc in the purse) to go get their meal. No matter how low the crime stats, I could never be that trusting. Ever. And yet their bags were never stolen.

But in 99% of the places I've been to, it's only basic common sense to not let your bag unguarded, even on the back of your chair.
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Old Mar 1st, 2015, 06:13 AM
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I do it all the time and also walk away from my purse to grab silverware, condiments, etc. at a casual restaurant or coffee shop.

I accidentally left my purse on a bench say Logan Airport years ago and when I went back it was there and had been untouched.
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Old Mar 1st, 2015, 09:00 AM
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This can happen anywhere. I had my purse stolen at FAO Schwarz in NYC. I had put it safely (I thought) on the floor, right between my feet. I picked up an object to look at. That's all it took. My purse was gone in a flash. I did not even sense another person come and go. They were pros.

FAO sealed the exits, but the thief was already gone. Then FAO set me down in their management office, so I could call my credit card companies. They also gave me a bottle of bubbly and a box of chocolates to go.

I was on business, traveling with others, so luckily I wasn't stranded without a way to pay for my hotel.

The next day, I got a call from my home office. Someone had found my purse and called my office to track me down. I did get back my purse, my credit cards, and my personal belongings in it, but not my cash. Only about $60, thankfully.

Just be careful out there.
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Old Mar 1st, 2015, 12:26 PM
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Janet, you could probably leave your bag on the table in Richmond!

PS we are having a run of visitors from New England. I'll write a report after they leave about what we took them to see and where we ate. I gained two pounds in four days from the last group.
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Old Mar 1st, 2015, 02:29 PM
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A friend of mine just had her purse snatched from the front seat of her car (covered by a towel) while she and DH were in Planet Fitness. She normally did not bring her purse, but the had planned to go to the bank afterwards. W/in just a few minutes, 3 $530 withdrawals were made on her cc at a Target ATM.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2015, 11:00 AM
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I would never hang my purse on the back of a chair anywhere... at home in Seattle, vacationing at the beach in Hawaii or Mexico, traveling in cities of Europe. It's just a foolish thing to do.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2015, 11:02 AM
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Never leave your purse, wallet, phone in your car either ("visible" or otherwise). This is all just common sense people.

The fact that some have been careless and not had anything stolen doesn't make it the smart thing to do.
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