Five Things You Need to Know About Your Passport – April 22, 2017

Comments

1. Sean Coughlin

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   Hi Candace, this comment is more about your recent appearance on WhatSheSaid, and the pickpocketing prevention video I just watched on Youtube. I was very impressed with what you and the host covered, especially the growing threat of RFID scanners being used for so-called “electronic pickpocketing”; other videos discussing this topic haven’t all caught up with this method.

   The universal truth you said was that anyone can be a pickpocket, regardless of appearance. Years ago, when I worked for a delivery company, I had at a stop at a building that had several different businesses inside. The front desk secretary for the business on the bottom floor, a lovely woman named Louise, gave me assistance with the door when she saw I had multiple packages to leave off. After making the necessary drop-offs, I said my usual good-day to Louise when she chimed, “You might want to check your pockets before you go, Sean”, a huge grin on her face. I patted my front and cargo pockets, with everything still in place. “Back pocket”, she stated, still beaming. I touched my backside and quickly realized my wallet was gone! At this moment Louise slips her hand in the deep pocket of her blazer, and pulls out the familiar sight of my billfold. She went on to explain that she had seen my wallet peeking out from my pocket as I was gathering the packages from my van; feeling mischievous, she decided right there to try and take it while “helping” me with the door. With my hands occupied, all she had to do was lean a little into me while I passed by her, and her fingers nimbly plucked my wallet out without me feeling a thing. She proudly finished her bragging by stating that my wallet had gone from my pocket to hers in mere seconds. We shared a good laugh between us, and I had a sense of relief that if I was going to get pickpocketed, it was at least at the hands of someone friendly. (What we called “playful pickpocketing” would be a running joke between Louise and I on future visits.) As Louise returned my wallet with a kiss on my cheek and a pat on my butt – not just to flirt, but to let me know my wallet was indeed back in its original place – I thought at the time how thrown off I was at not anticipating how she, a middle-aged woman always well dressed in skirts, blazers and dress shirts with the collar always turned up in a distinguished manner, could pick my pocket with such seeming ease.

   Anyway, sorry for the long message, but I thought you’d get a giggle from it. Best wishes, and always watch your pockets! 😉 -Sean

2. Candace Derickx

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   Hey Sean, My apologies for the delay in replying. I missed this comment unfortunately. Thanks for you kind words and funny story. I agree, it doesn’t take much to lose track of your things!