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Edgewood
FooSlinger
Joined: Jan 28, 2004
Posts: 3906
Location: Colonial Shanghai
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July 05, 2004 - 02:10 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Victim of Theft... Again |
Just had my new digital camera stolen on the bus. I was asleep, but obviously everyone was aware of it, because the bus stopped to let some people get off and get on the bus behind (same destination) and the ticket woman woke me up to tell me the news. Of course no one helped me but they did all have a good laugh at the laowai.
It's not the first time I've been stolen from in this sh1thole cuntry, and it won't be the last either, but this time it's different because this was the one that broke the camels back...
I am changing my ways. I have decided to try harder to blend in, to become as one with the locals and their culture, to try my best to do as they do.
China, you are on notice: you're gonna get it like you've been giving it to me. Lie, cheat, steal, it's all fair from here on in. Screw your family, screw your Party, screw your laws, and screw you!
Oh, and why is this posted in the Culture Discussions? Because cowardice and dishonesty is Chinese culture. |
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yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 18048
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
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July 08, 2004 - 04:09 AM |
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Sorry to hear the bad news. Also sorry to hear that you have been victimized again. Yes, Chinese culture can be the blame for lots of things that happen to us here. Must be frustrating to be stuck here. Hopefully you won't lose anything else (includiong sleep) over this as like many third world countries, this problem is not easily solved. have you thought about maybe just moving back to your home country? It seems you have been presented with really bad luck...maybe the whole country has it out for you? Well, good luck, and hope you get good news soon. |
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dyniquee
Post Boaster
Joined: Apr 24, 2003
Posts: 4777
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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July 08, 2004 - 04:56 AM |
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Share your feelings Edgewood ... but I am not sure if you would really appreciate it ... I am Chinese ...
D |
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Entangled Quantum Effect's at its best. |
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Edgewood
FooSlinger
Joined: Jan 28, 2004
Posts: 3906
Location: Colonial Shanghai
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July 08, 2004 - 07:48 AM |
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Well, thats two people I didn't expect any sympathy from. Thanks for that!
What really pisses me off is not being stolen from - although China does seem to have way more thieves than anywhere else, that could happen anywhere I know. No, what really gets me is the fact that everyone on the bus knew about it and did nothing. Even the ticket lady and the driver.
I've been taking that same bus for the last 2 years, the only laowai they see regularly. They know me. They've known me for 2 years. And still they all f*ck me me over and laugh about it. That's what gets to me about this place - that no matter how long I'm here, no matter who I am or what I do, no matter how hard I try, I will always be the laowai and therefore fair game for anyone and everyone.
Why don't I leave? Believe me, I'd be gone on the first available plane to anywhere on earth, but it's not so easy for my girlfriend to leave. So, it seems I'm stuck here in a place where everyone hates me and all I can do is just hate them back.
PS If anyone has any ideas on how I can really hurt this place, I mean really stick it to them in a way that matters, PM me with details. In the meantime I'm busy dumping my morals and doing what I can to be a last-class citizen... |
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shanghaibarry
Barker
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 188
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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July 08, 2004 - 10:25 AM |
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They can steal anything they like, but only you can lost your dignity, morality, and righteousness.
Sad to hear your decision, Edgewood.
I was in Xi'an over the weekend, a local news caught my attention: a guy had his mobile phone left in Taxi twice within the week. In the first incident, no on return his phone and it was switched off right after her tried calling the number. In the second incident, a Hong Kong fellow picked up the mobile when it rang and offered to send the phone back to his place. He was suspicious of how likely this Hong Kong guys is going to return his phone but 10 minutes later the guy showed up. When he offered the Hong Kong guy RMB 200 as a token of appreciation, it was rejected and told him that it is the duty of any citizen. He was so touched and reported the incident to local newspaper and urged Xi'an people to reflect on how they should treat fellow citizens.
The way that hurts the most is to wake them up from their ignorance and make them regret what they have been doing so far. I sometimes give people proper "education" when at hotels, airports, department stores, and restaurants, sometimes I get apologies and other times a cold stare or being laughed at. This may not change everyone, but as long as some people get the message and realized the harm they are doing to the image of China and how people perceive Chinese, I believe it is already a good progress.
The fact that you are taking bus in China is already a big step blending in to the local scene. You may not feel 100% at home here due to your skin colour and language, but that's inevitable, the same case applies to Chinese living overseas places where multi-culturalism is not yet established.
This country is just too huge and with a long history that affected people's view towards others. The world is interconnected but China has just get connected in the past 10-20 over years, exposure is not there yet. Just like taming a tiger, you probably wouldn't want to provoke it when it is just getting used to the trainer. |
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Edgewood
FooSlinger
Joined: Jan 28, 2004
Posts: 3906
Location: Colonial Shanghai
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July 08, 2004 - 12:30 PM |
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shanghaibarry, good words. But I've been taking this bus 8 times a week, every week, for 2 years. They know me - they've known me for 2 years! But still I'm just a laowai. What happened to me, and the things that happen almost every day, would not - could not! - happen in almost any other country. People in the real world are just not that barbarous, uncivilised, or nekulturny.
I used to try to educate, to help people. But enough is enough. PRC Chinese will always resent me because I'm not Chinese myself.
Hong Kongese, Taiwanese, Singapoeans, Chinese from other countries are all great I have found. They are civilised and cultured in my experience. The PRC is different. These 'people' have bitten the hand that feeds them for the last time. Now I get to bite back. |
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shanghaibarry
Barker
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 188
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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July 08, 2004 - 01:23 PM |
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I am reading a book on Chinese Ethic and moral standards, but unfortunately it is only in Chinese. It contains a lot of articles on various moral issues, including extending help when it's needed... sadly to say moral deterioration is serious, the ones helping others are mainly the naive students with an unpolluted mind.
The incident you encountered is not confined to foreigners alone, but it happens to local Chinese as well.
It all boils down to the concept of in-group out-group thing. Unless you are a good friend, they won't bother to help as there is no benefit to them personally until you rub in national pride and the Chinese.
Don't get too extreme, in order to balance out things, you need the opposite action. Getting angry and outraged won't do you any good, it will only increase your hatred towards the one causing you harm, and at the end, there isn't going to be a happy ending.
I have been told before I come to China that if you survive China, you can survive anywhere in the world. I think it is not mere physical survival but mental one as well. Don't get defeated mentally, "if you can't beat them, join them" is to me a sure prove of mental defeat.
Hang in there Edgewood, the mental projection of reality IS your own reality. |
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fukuman
Wonder Wit
Joined: Sep 18, 2003
Posts: 3699
Status: Offline
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July 08, 2004 - 01:25 PM |
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I hate the way my so-called "friends" ( chinese ), all of them without fail, are happy anytime a chinese robs a foreigner. because they r so rich and dirty and dont work for their money like chinese.
I also like telling them every monday how many local virgins i broke, the weekend. Like pulling out a royal-straight-flush.
Edgie, phlegm on the seats, in coin-return slots, phone earpieces, leave chewing -gum everywhere, shaft as many girls as poss. be aggressive and confrontational with every guy. Go out of your way to cause trouble.
Chinese consider thieving an object u left behind " finding". They r the amoral scum of the earth.
I dont really like HK, but the people r way better. blame the brits huh? |
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whocare
Talker
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 76
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July 09, 2004 - 10:58 AM |
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i feel for you, fell asleep on a running bus and woke up later finding out belongings lost/stolen...fail to locate the thief (got off earlier being glad to get your belongings successfully without any risk, such as getting beating or reported/taken to the police), while maybe everyone on the same bus knew the truth and did not tell or warn you...esp. the ticket woman...
i will get upset and mad too... |
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shanghaibarry
Barker
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 188
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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July 09, 2004 - 11:05 AM |
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when people are in survival mode, they only take care of themselves, not the fellow next to them. sad to say, the mentality of people here is still very much in survival mode. When the majority of the people are in survival mode, others will follow suit to remain within the social norm.
but it doesn't have to be the way, it just take one responsible individual to do the "duty" and a few more will be awakened. |
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Edgewood
FooSlinger
Joined: Jan 28, 2004
Posts: 3906
Location: Colonial Shanghai
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July 09, 2004 - 02:50 PM |
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shanghaibarry, you seem like a smart person. You seem to have this view that people are all basically the same. I used to be like that, years ago before I came to live in Red China. Now I'm a litle wiser. Hang in there, you will get this way too if you meet enough of these 'people'.
It's nothing to do with survival mode: it's f*ck thy neighboor mode, You know the old CCP slogan?
'Serve the Party, Screw the People' It's everybodys personal motto here |
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shanghaibarry
Barker
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 188
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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July 09, 2004 - 03:32 PM |
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I hope I have gone through the pattern you described. I used to love China, then hate China, then gone on to appreciate the differences that China has to offer. And now, it is just China.
Everything happens here for a reason, and there are always causes to it. Through understanding what's causing such behavior, I came to accept what's happening around me and try my best to show people the other perspective of the same thing.
2 years ago I used to tell people that Chinese people is "a bunch of uncivilized pretenders with 5000 years of stupidity which they call culture", but not anymore, making myself upset does no good to my health, and I learn to reflect rather than react when something unpleasant happen around me or to me. I was even conned by a "friend" for RMB 200,000 if that's something to go by.
But I regained faith whenever I see people are changing for the better, even in small ways. Sometimes it's only ignorance that clouded their thoughts, I remember explaining to hotel receptionists about certain indifferent attitudes they showed to their guests, they got the message and changed for the better, I was delighted the second time I stay there. But of course not every situation is like that, I can't imagine you talking to the conductor lady about not alerting you when you the guy took your camera when you are at rage.
But anyway, don't let rage gets into you, it hurts. |
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Rogi
Lurker
Joined: Apr 21, 2004
Posts: 35
Status: Offline
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July 29, 2004 - 09:18 PM |
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| shanghaibarry wrote: |
I hope I have gone through the pattern you described. I used to love China, then hate China, then gone on to appreciate the differences that China has to offer. And now, it is just China.
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Well said. Every time I stay here for a long period of time I experience this. I figure life is too short.....just enjoy it.
Another thing I've learned is DON'T assume anything. Don't assume someone will do something because they should (even if it's their job). |
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Edgewood
FooSlinger
Joined: Jan 28, 2004
Posts: 3906
Location: Colonial Shanghai
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July 31, 2004 - 03:06 PM |
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Well, if you assume everybody is a c*nt and is out to f*ck you over, or assume everyone you meet is a brain-dead moron, then you can only be pleasantly surprised from time to time. Never disappointed. |
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shanghaisimmo
Lurker
Joined: June 17, 2004
Posts: 27
Status: Offline
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Sep 04, 2004 - 08:30 PM |
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It is true that very few people will tell you when they see someone robbing you. I heard that they may be afraid of being beaten by the group of thieves operating in the area.
Personally, I think this is somewhat acceptable for Chinese to do this in general. However, for me, since I am a different looking foreigner, I am big, and I have some educated savvy to put down enemies, I will, as I have in the past, continue to scare the hell out of thieves, beggars and con artists who seek to deceive my brothers. This is easily achieved by chasing thieves for 500m down the street, yelling out to get people's attention to your cause, and generally making seem as though you have lost your mind and actually would like to put out their existence.
Because I have ability, it becomes my duty to protect the safety of others. When I am confronting a deceptive person on behalf of another, I am not thinking of the victim much at all. I am concerned that I may be the victim of theft in the future and I am seeking to protect my future interests, and that of my offspring.
Therefore, as a foreigner, who has some increased physical capacity to destroy enemies and the benefit of a "sparse population psychology" (unlike China's dense population psychology), I will continue to fight for a future where everyone will fight for each other because that is seen as the best way to serve one's own, individual, interests. |
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merdy
Rocker
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Posts: 747
Status: Offline
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Sep 25, 2004 - 02:32 AM |
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Na...the truth is...you are a piece of shiit...and when you are a piece of shiit, people treat you like that...Have you noticed that out of all the expats on this site only you and the few other asswipes complain non-stop? Most are just living their lives peacefully without any problems whatsoever. So be as aggressive as you can be *******...but you will not solve anything with your moronic behaviour...
You know, when I was living in the US, someone actually destroyed the lock to my apt. and emptied it...during the day!!...do I think that all americans are uncivilized animals?...of course not...I had a blast there...just like I am having a blast here...
What's next? You're gonna tell us about the time you saw a guy spit? Or my personnal favorite...how you always get poked by old ladies' umbrellas?...that one really kills me...like the old ladies in this city go around chasing foreigners with their umbrellas and not apologizing...too much...
everything you write is bullshiit...no doubt...not a shred of reality in what you claim to be your "bad luck" in china...you are just a bitter ****...and you always will be...
And that's that. Peace. |
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viona
Barker
Joined: Sep 19, 2004
Posts: 187
Status: Offline
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Sep 25, 2004 - 03:49 AM |
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Simply by complaining won't do any good. You are just gonna put all your ragious emotions in vain. coz people in this city are all busy with saving their own asses. You just cannot set your normal yardsticks on this country. When I saw some local women washing their hair in the gutters or when I'm being stared like an ape on the streets, i figured i should just bear with it. |
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carrol
PopStar
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Posts: 1122
Location: East of Eden
Status: Offline
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Oct 11, 2004 - 11:36 AM |
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Edgewood .. if you think China is bad - try a trip to South Africa. You'll be back, and thinking Shanghai is paradise, within a month, I promise you! (Unless you're killed whilst you're there, of course .. so they can steal your camera .. which is a strong possibility ..) |
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Carrol |
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MustangSallie
Barker
Joined: July 05, 2004
Posts: 135
Location: Puxi
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Oct 12, 2004 - 04:44 PM |
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| shanghaibarry wrote: |
| I am reading a book on Chinese Ethic and moral standards... |
hmm... must be a short book... *kidding*
I can *somewhat* sympathize with Edgewood. I used to catch the kids near my office trying to pick my pocket or get into my bag about 3 times a week. I caught them everytime but the first time-- they got my wallet with all my ID (except my passport, thankfully), my credit cards and a small sum of cash. After that I learned to feel for the *tug tug* on my bag and have snagged the kids by the wrist many times since.
Additionally, my firm failed to honestly adhere to my contract and has cheated me out of a very large sum of money.
HOWEVER, dishonesty and greed are not necessarily chinese values. They're human flaws. You'll meet mean, greedy, selfish people in any country you go to. how you deal with them is your own decision, but don't think that it's a behavior which is exclusive to China.
In retrospect, I'm glad those kids only took my wallet quietly and ran away. Were I to be 'robbed' in the states, I would probably get held at knifepoint or gunpoint and possibly raped in the process... the kids can keep the damn wallet. It's not that important. |
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protect your local wildlife from the cold...
cuddle with a hockey player...  |
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Analyticchick
Newbie
Joined: Oct 21, 2004
Posts: 3
Status: Offline
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Oct 23, 2004 - 09:23 AM |
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I just recently got my digital camera nicked as well and from my experience, being the victim of theft is not a purely caucasian phenomenon. For me, it was a combo of having my bag probably open at night while talking on a cell phone (in Chinese no less). In other words - personal stupidity. So I guess this city has some pretty equal opportunity thieves. Maybe the thief was less fixated on who he (or she, but probably he) was stealing from, and more interested in the opportunity for a five fingered discount. |
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richvenom
Barker
Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 153
Location: Somewhere out there where you aint wanna know
Status: Offline
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Oct 23, 2004 - 09:43 AM |
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well, it mighht be part of the small minority that is the black sheep in the crowd but you can use a bamboo and overturn the whole boat ... that will be too sterotyping on the whole.
i have seen some pretty nice chinese who is able to lend a helping hand here and there, although my time in shanghai aint that long
Life still goes on |
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Bulls**t |
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rhuei
Seeker
Joined: Sep 29, 2004
Posts: 74
Location: pudong
Status: Offline
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Oct 23, 2004 - 10:02 AM |
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Well... Edgewood.. I feel the same too... even I am Chinese overseas but I don’t speak Chinese fluently.. They always cheating me for sale veggies or fruits with double price, so be careful when u go to wet market! The only way to face is being rude and scold them back... hahhaa... I hate and sick being here too, lucky for me... I will move to S'pore the end of this year :> I have been here almost 2 years, but i wont take bus... better take mrt or by taxi. I think you better buy a motorcycle or a car :> Just don’t take that d*mn bus again.... people here need more than a decade to be civilized!! |
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gobbledegook
Squeeker
Joined: Apr 14, 2004
Posts: 13
Status: Offline
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Oct 23, 2004 - 02:42 PM |
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| Post subject: haha...couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!! |
if i had known it was you i was taking the camera from, i would have socked you a good one while i was at it!!! |
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Paulo
Rocker
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 615
Status: Offline
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Oct 23, 2004 - 05:11 PM |
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It is most pronunced among Xin Jiang people. I hope Bush extends his war into Xin Jiang. These people are evil and I have the footage to prove it. |
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Dave Hedgehog, Richie Rich, Eddie Hitler, Spudgun |
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wakk0
Raver
Joined: Sep 03, 2004
Posts: 393
Status: Offline
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Oct 23, 2004 - 05:35 PM |
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the theft happened to me while im having my lunch. my back was facing the sun and the thief came from behind with the sun acting as "shield". I ordered and paid for my lunch, and placed my wallet inside my backpack. After i finished my lunch, the backpack is there but the wallet is gone. I lost my IC, credit cards, ATM cards, etc...
THE WORST THING IS " THE WAITESSES, ALL KNEW IT"... what have the moral gone??
I can understand how you feel when your property is stolen.. |
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