BE PREPARED

Piyumi walked along the road with her handbag swinging by her side. A motorcyclist slowed down and grabbed her bag and speeded away. There was nothing she could do although she called out.

Piyumi recalled that she had two thousand rupees in her wallet and her Identity card and Smart phone were also in the bag.

How many Piyumis are there losing their belongings to snatch thieves?

The Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” applies to all men and women who walk carelessly by on the road and in shops and supermarkets. Sometimes shoppers open their handbag and leave the purse open at the cashier’s counter as they rummage through the bill.

Then there are the shoppers who carry a long list of things to buy. Marketing also means that the woman or man spends time looking through the list sometimes with a child in tow. Carrying a child and a handbag is also dangerous. Be careful with both.

Often the bag and its contents are taken for granted even while the person munches a pastry and drinks an iced coffee at a snack bar.

Why wait till the open bag and its contents are stolen and then raise a hue and cry?

It is also wise to carry only a limited amount of cash in the handbag so one doesn’t have to regret if the cash is stolen.

If one goes to the bank or ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) to withdraw money then look out as one comes out. Don’t be seen coming out carrying money for you are asking for trouble. It is wise to go into a nearby building and spend a little time and then come out.

It is good to use common sense when you go anywhere for you and your belongings are vulnerable.

OFTEN THE BAG AND ITS CONTENTS ARE TAKEN FOR GRANTED EVEN WHILE THE PERSON MUNCHES A PASTRY AND DRINKS AN ICED COFFEE AT A SNACK BAR.