Italian
A moment of distraction while shopping at the supermarket, and the wallet disappears. Along with it go money, documents, cards, and a few memories. Besides the financial loss, there remains bitterness and the awareness that nothing will be recovered and no one will be punished.
Mogliano Veneto (TV) – It happened on Saturday, April 25th, a particularly “active” holiday in Mogliano where various events coincided: the Liberation Day, that of Saint Mark, and the traditional Antiques Market in the streets of the town center. All of this attracts many visitors and consequently some shops and supermarkets remain open, just like on a regular Saturday.
After attending the entire ceremony dedicated to Liberation Day, exchanging a few words with friends, eating something, and taking a big tour of the well-stocked stalls of the antique market, I treated myself to the purchase of an old ceramic soup tureen. Vintage has always been my passion, and I often can’t resist the temptation.
In the end, something was missing at home: water, yogurt, bread, cat food, so a trip to the supermarket was in order. I wonder how I ended up in that supermarket quite far from home, which I had avoided perhaps because of its bad reputation. Many times I had read about pickpockets inside and the unfortunate fate of wallets, but sometimes it happens that you forget.
After an intense day, it may happen that you relax while grocery shopping, and even though you noticed a person wandering among the aisles of the supermarket and getting very close to your cart, when they walk away, you feel at ease.
And so it was, I linger for a moment to look at the discounted pans, I weigh one in my hand, then I put it down and pick up another. Suddenly, I turn towards the cart that is just a few centimeters away from me, where my bag is. A shiver runs down my spine as I look inside the bag. The wallet is gone.
Like a madwoman, I scream “help”, I run with the cart towards the checkout and shout: “close the doors”. I create chaos and dismay among the many people waiting in line to pay. Someone approaches me, offers help. Many show me solidarity while the supermarket staff remains indifferent and continues their work.
I call a hypothetical director. A woman approaches me with a badge hanging around her neck and says, “You need to file a report.” I ask if they can close the doors and the answer is no.
Something special
I have a strong feeling that for the staff on duty, especially on a holiday, I am a great nuisance. Then he approaches me, a very young guy, with 20 euros in hand. “Ma’am, I’ll pay for your groceries, here.” And he hands me the bill. Maybe he thinks I’m in trouble and that I might be pretending to have been robbed because I don’t have the money to pay, or maybe he just wants to help someone who is in difficulty at that moment.
“Thank you so much, but it’s not a matter of money, really they stole my wallet and everything is inside!”. And as I almost get emotional about that gesture, he puts his banknote back in place and hugs me. “My God, I think, there are still boys like that….”.
A very kind lady has already called the police, who arrive in a few minutes. There are two of them, then two more arrive. They make a round inside, then outside, write notes, make phone calls, take down information. They do what they can, but unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done. In the end, I go to file a report at the station.
Never let your guard down
“Never drop your guard” (in English “Protect yourself at all times”) is the philosophical and dramatic thought of the film Million Dollar Baby, directed and starred by Clint Eastwood. I saw it in 2004 at the Venice Film Festival and it impressed me greatly. The warning to never let your guard down was obsessive from the coach towards his young trainee.
Answering the phone, walking in a crowded place, or simply grocery shopping have become moments of high stress. Technology, which was supposed to simplify our lives, has complicated it significantly. Sometimes, technology resembles a hellish machine that takes away freedom and peace of mind. On top of all this, there is the traditional crime that operates even more undisturbed.
We are all aware that cameras, data control systems, social media testimonies, and so on, can do nothing against the crime machine that continues its path unhindered.
All that’s left is prevention. Going out to do the shopping means gearing up for a small war, starting with the mode of transport you choose, the clothing you wear, the payment method, and the exposure to danger.
So let’s hide our debit cards and money in a secret pocket on us, or tie our wallet and phone with a chain around our waist, eliminate bags and backpacks, and …..let’s get creative. The important thing is to never let our guard down. And maybe avoid supermarkets with a Guinness World Record theft statistic.
What Remains
After the theft of a wallet containing debit cards, cash, and documents, as well as loyalty cards, bus tickets, some photos, and some memories, it is very important to block the cards to prevent them from being used for purchases without a pin, that is, below a certain amount.
Furthermore, it is necessary to file a report and request that the cameras be reviewed, even if no results will come of it. It is also important to block the documents so that they cannot be used by others. Then, you have to redo the documents, which is quite a hassle. And you have to “make peace with yourself” because anger is harmful to your health.
After all this discomfort, one beautiful thing has stayed with me: the solidarity and help of many people who immediately came to my aid as best they could. And the friends who called, sent a message… and the eyes of that boy. Thank you.
