I just got home from a short evening visit with my mother, who lives almost next door. We chatted about several things – her day, my day at the office, village gossip, etc. Just when I was about to leave she said: “By the way, I have to ask you something. Is it possible to phone from a public telephone box using a 5 euro banknote?” Her question surprised me … for two reasons: 1) the last public telephone box in our village was removed five years ago, and 2) I’ve never heard of a phone box taking banknotes (not in Belgium anyway)!
To make a long story short, it turns out that, on her way home from the hairdresser’s this afternoon – which by the way is less than 100 metres from her home – she was approached by what she described as a ‘well-groomed/dressed and good-looking young man in his late twenties’ who, in dodgy Flemish/Dutch, asked whether she had a five euro banknote change for the coins he was holding in his hand.
Luckily my mother only had a 10 euro note and some coins in a small purse and wasn’t carrying her usual handbag with her bankcard and larger notes! Because, without thinking, she showed the purse to the man, explaining she couldn’t help him. Then she enquired why he needed the money. And he – boldly taking advantage of her age – explained that he had to make a call from a public telephone box!!!!???
When my mother suggested he could try and change the coins at the hairdresser’s across the road or the petrol station 200 metres further up the road (that's my mum - always trying to help!), the man hurriedly said goodbye and ran towards a car that was parked nearby. Two seconds later – the driver had clearly been waiting – the car sped off in the direction of Brussels…
I think my mother had a very narrow escape. If she had been carrying her usual handbag and had opened her wallet in an attempt to find a five euro note, and at the same time involuntary showing how much money she might have had on her + her bankcard, the ‘well-groomed and good-looking’ young man might have pushed her, making her fall while he grabbed the handbag with its full content!
I’m furious! On the one hand, people who smoke a cigarette in a café or pub are fined 250 euro, on the other hand, criminals who attack innocent people, are – under the new Salduz law, imposed by Europe - no longer arrested, even when they are caught red-handed!! The police can just take down their name and invite them to come to the police station within 10 days to be questioned and make a deposition! What is this world coming to???
Following this incident, I have given my mother very clear instructions. I can only hope that she will keep them in mind the next time she is approached by one of these ‘characters’! However, as she is a very caring and ‘always-ready-to-help’ person I’m afraid that her kindness may be stronger than her suspicion! I think her guardian angel is in for some extra-time!
P.S. Sorry, no photo this time ... I'm just too upset and needed to get this off my chest!
9 comments:
This was clearly a scam. Your mother does seem to have been lucky not to have had something really distressing happen.
Unfortunately there are those all over the world that prey on the elderly. Yes, she was lucky this time and hopefully it won't happen again.
No wonder you are so upset. It is the "what if?" factor which is so unsettling. It is such a shame that we all have to be so cautious these days, wherever we are.
Don't know how some people live with themselves. My iPod was stolen right out of my hands while I was using it (in Montreal)! I was furious too so I understand how you feel especially for your mother.
Old people are a soft target for thieves and others conmerchants. It's so sad but your mother had a lucky escape I think. It's the trusting nature and good manners of the older generation that makes them so vulnerable.
I agree about the inequality of justice. The authorities also seem to go for the soft targets - smokers, speeding drivers, etc., whilst really nasty people seem to get away with it. It's exactly the same in the UK.
You are clearly seething about this, and rightly so! Your mother had a very lucky escape, although she must feel shaken by the episode. I hope their next 'victim' was as fortunate.
The sad part is that when older people fall victim to these kinds of crimes, so often they lose their confidence.
I would also be very angry. Your mother if pushed, could have ended up not only much poorer but in hospital with broken bones. There are some very nasty people in this world and he was obviously one of them.Diane
I'm not surprised you are angry! Your mother had a very lucky escape.
Susan, It took her hours to realize that she had had a narrow escape! She was sooo lucky!
Bob, I've given her clear instructions. For instance, never to open her handbag in front of someone she doesn't know, not even to give a kleenex.
Louise, I hate to feel like a hostage in my own country. Things really need to change!
LLP, Hello and welcome to my blog, Thank you for posting a comment. You are so right. What has become of respect for other people and their belongings?
Jean, I guess that when you have been educated like our parents, you still don't see the evil in other people. Former generations were so graceful!
Gaynor, My mother is part of the problem.:) She doesn't loose confidence. She keeps seeing the good in everybody; however hard I try to make her see the reality!
Diane; You are so right. But my mother keeps referring to him as a welldressed and courteous young man! As if they would send out scareface to trick elderly people into opening their wallet!?
N&A, I'm trying NOT to think about what might have happened. She has learned her lesson for now. I just hope she'll remember it the next time she's approached by one of the ruthless people.
Post a Comment