today...
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Pick-pocketer
I know I haven't really been updating. Hope to update all about my trips to Kuching, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Hat Yai and Singapore when I get back to Perth... however, just wanted to share something that happened to me today.
Recently I read in the Star newspaper (local Malaysian newspaper) about sexual harrassment on public transport such as trains and buses during peak hour.
Click here to read the article.When everyone wants to get on the train, you have to squeeze like sardines and there's no where to move. It's particularly bad for women because men can just thrust themselves upon women merely because the train is 'packed'...
So anyway, today I took the train by myself to Mid Valley. I thought it would be ok since I took the train from Seremban to KL by myself and it seemed alright. But still, I was wary of taking public transport in Malaysia, by myself being a girl. As I was lining up to buy my train ticket, I was praying in my head that no one would touch me, that God would send his angels to guard and protect me. At the platform, I continued to feel uneasy and unsafe and was just hoping for the train to hurry up and come. Got to KLCC then I had to change platforms and take another train to get to Mid Valley.
The train to Mid Valley was packed to the max. As I was getting in, there seemed to be this guy behind me who just kept pushing and pushing and pushing me from behind till I nearly fell over, even though there was clearly enough room for him to stand. I was just thinking to myself what's his problem! The train was packed and everyone was standing like sardines. It's only a 3 minute (or so) journey from KLCC to Mid Valley and the whole time I was standing like a soldier praying in my head that no one would touch me. I wanted the train to hurry up and get to the destination. I didn't want to look around too much so I kept to myself. As I was getting off the train, the same guy just kept pushing and pushing into my back. I was wondering what the heck was his problem...then as I exited the door, I felt that my phone had been slipped out of my right pocket. I felt my pocket with my left hand and indeed my phone was gone!!! Shoot! In a split second, I just had this lightning reaction to look to the left of me... I looked at the guy and I said to him in a stern voice, "YOU TOOK MY PHONE, GIVE IT BACK!" I looked down at his hands, and there in his left hand was my phone. In that split second, I thought to myself that if I don't say something now, he's just going to run with the phone (which isn't even mine) - which would make me even more dead meat!!! So I snatched it back from him and walked away. Then suprisingly he said sorry. SORRY?!?!!?!?!? You apologise for trying to steal my phone and get caught red handed!!! !@#@#$#%$^%$^ garhhhh my legs and hands were shaking afterwards and I really wanted to cry!!! Stupid!!!!
I keep thinking about the incident and wondering what if I didn't say anything.. HOW DARE he touch my pocket and grab my phone. The thing is right.. it was so subtle... and he was so good at pick pocketing that I hardly felt anything. Everything happened so fast... as soon as the phone slipped out of my pocket I just had the right reaction after reaction and caught him out!
So an incident like this, I thought would never ever happen to me in my life finally happened. All those stories that people tell me - to be careful with my hand bag, to be careful with my money - don't keep all your money in your wallet, don't let the girl walk on the side of the road where the motorists ride past, never have your handbag on that side of the road... all this... I mean really you have to do it. I never thought it'd happen to me and it did... so be careful ladies, don't be a victim. It's not fun.
I'm so thankful to God that He sent his angels to protect me. I know I'm "lucky" ... the stupid guy could have stabbed me or God knows what. I dare not take public transport alone again. If I do... a guy has to stand behind me. I don't care!
today...
@3:15 am
