A purse left open in a shopping cart can disappear in seconds.
So can the wallet inside it.
The best time to think about theft…
IS BEFORE SOMETHING GETS STOLEN.
Lately, when I am out shopping, I keep noticing the same thing.
Women leaving their purses unattended.
Sometimes the purse is sitting in the shopping cart.
Sometimes it is open.
Sometimes the wallet is practically sitting on top saying:
HERE I AM.
Some women seem aware of the purse at first.
Then they see something interesting on a shelf.
They move a few feet away.
They start comparing products.
Reading labels.
Looking at sizes.
Talking to somebody.
And for a few moments…
THE PURSE DISAPPEARS FROM THEIR AWARENESS.
That is all somebody needs.
SECURITY DOES NOT REPLACE AWARENESS
Some people shop with the idea:
The store has cameras.
There is security.
There are employees everywhere.
I’m safe.
Maybe.
But store security cannot stand beside every shopping cart.
And by the time someone realizes a wallet or purse is gone, the person who took it may already be somewhere else.
Security is useful.
Your own awareness is better.
I HAVE POINTED THIS OUT TO PEOPLE
Over the years I have occasionally noticed a purse sitting exposed and said something to the owner.
Something simple like:
“Excuse me, your purse is open.”
Or:
“You may want to keep an eye on that.”
The reactions have been interesting.
I have heard:
“I AM WATCHING IT.”
“I KNOW.”
Sometimes I get the:
MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS LOOK.
Sometimes a smile.
Sometimes the expression that says:
WHY ARE YOU SO INTERESTED IN MY PURSE?
And then there is my favorite.
The instant clutch.
The person grabs the purse immediately after telling me everything is under control.
Apparently my warning worked better than their confidence.
WHY DON’T PEOPLE LIKE BEING WARNED?
I have wondered about that.
Did I do something wrong by pointing it out?
Probably not.
But people do not always enjoy having a lapse in awareness exposed.
It can feel like criticism.
Nobody likes thinking:
I WASN’T PAYING ATTENTION.
So sometimes the messenger gets the reaction.
But if I see something that might prevent somebody from spending the next two weeks replacing credit cards, identification and everything else in a purse…
I may still say something.
THE COST OF ONE MOMENT
Think about what can be inside a purse.
Driver’s license.
Credit cards.
Debit cards.
Cash.
Keys.
Phone.
Prescription information.
Insurance cards.
Personal documents.
Maybe even information showing where you live.
Losing the purse is irritating.
Losing everything INSIDE the purse is where the real problem begins.
Cancel cards.
Call banks.
Replace identification.
Change passwords.
Replace keys.
Possibly file a police report.
Monitor accounts.
Maybe deal with identity theft.
That is an enormous amount of trouble created by a few seconds of inattention.
AWARENESS IS CHEAPER
Prevention usually costs very little.
A few simple habits can reduce unnecessary exposure.
1. KEEP THE PURSE ATTACHED TO YOU
A crossbody or shoulder bag makes sense because when you move…
IT MOVES.
You eliminate the shopping-cart problem almost entirely.
2. CARRY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED
If you do not need twelve cards, every document you own and a week’s worth of receipts…
Leave some of it home.
A smaller wallet or secure card holder can reduce what is lost if something does happen.
3. IF THE PURSE IS IN THE CART, THE CART GOES WITH YOU
Do not leave the cart three feet away while you walk down the aisle to inspect something.
Three feet becomes six.
Six becomes ten.
Then somebody is between you and the purse.
Move the cart.
4. KEEP THE PURSE CLOSED
An open purse is an invitation.
Zip it.
Fasten it.
Close it.
Make somebody work harder if they intend to get inside.
5. KEEP YOUR HAND ON IT WHEN DISTRACTED
If you are leaning toward a shelf or reaching for something…
One hand on the purse.
Simple.
DISTRACTION IS THE REAL OPPORTUNITY
A thief does not necessarily need you to leave the store.
They need you distracted.
Shopping naturally creates distraction.
You’re looking at prices.
Reading labels.
Talking.
Searching through a rack.
Checking your phone.
Managing children.
That makes awareness especially important.
The problem isn’t that people are foolish.
The problem is that human attention moves.
And somebody looking for an opportunity understands that.
DON’T CARRY YOUR WHOLE LIFE AROUND
There is another principle worth considering.
How much personal information do you really need to carry every day?
Probably less than many people think.
The fewer valuable or sensitive items you carry…
The less you have to replace.
And the less information a stranger gains if your purse or wallet disappears.
Keep it simple.
PREPARE BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS
Years ago, somebody gave me a very good suggestion.
Keep a record of the important cards and documents you carry.
That idea still makes sense, although today I would modify how you do it.
Do not casually photocopy everything and leave copies lying around.
Instead, keep a secure record of:
The bank or card issuer.
The customer-service number.
Which cards you carry.
Important identification numbers only when necessary and stored securely.
That way, if something disappears, you are not trying to remember everything while upset.
You know whom to call.
THE FIRST FEW MINUTES MATTER
If a wallet or purse is stolen, speed matters.
Lock or freeze payment cards.
Contact the bank.
Secure the phone if it was taken.
Change passwords when appropriate.
Report important identification missing.
Watch accounts.
Those steps become much easier when you already know what was in the purse.
Again:
PREPARATION BEFORE THE PROBLEM.
DON’T MAKE YOURSELF EASY
This is not about living afraid.
It is about not unnecessarily presenting opportunity.
You lock your house.
You lock your automobile.
You protect your passwords.
Why?
Not because you expect disaster every day.
Because simple precautions make sense.
Your purse deserves the same awareness.
ONE MORE THING
If somebody points out that your purse is vulnerable…
Maybe don’t get angry with them.
They may simply be trying to help.
You do not have to appreciate their delivery.
But you might appreciate the information.
Sometimes another person notices the thing we momentarily stopped noticing.
That is not necessarily intrusion.
Sometimes it is community.
FINAL THOUGHT
Awareness takes seconds.
Replacing everything in a stolen purse can take days or weeks.
So when you are shopping…
Enjoy yourself.
Look around.
Find what you came for.
But every now and then…
CHECK THE PURSE.
The goal is simple:
BE AWARE.
BE SAFE.
AND DON’T GIVE SOMEBODY AN EASY OPPORTUNITY TO RUIN YOUR AFTERNOON.
PEARLS INSIGHT
Personal-security habits often work best when they are simple and automatic. Keeping a purse closed and physically connected to the owner, limiting unnecessary personal information, maintaining awareness during distractions, and keeping secure records of essential accounts can reduce both the likelihood and consequences of theft. Situational awareness is not fear; it is preventive behavior.
PEARLS FROM THE BOOKS
A recurring lesson throughout Pearls for the Soul is the importance of awareness.
Much of life happens while our attention is somewhere else.
That is why little habits matter.
AWARENESS BEFORE THE EVENT IS USUALLY CHEAPER THAN WISDOM AFTER IT.
Pay attention.
Then continue enjoying your day.
PEARLS CONNECTION
This Pearl connects directly with:
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR PERSONAL AWARENESS
and
SEE SOMETHING TO GET DONE… IT’S NO ACCIDENT
Awareness notices the exposed purse.
Responsibility takes one simple action.
Close it.
Move it.
Carry it.
Sometimes good judgment really is that uncomplicated.
RICHIE SPEAKS
Ladies…
I’m not interested in your purse.
I’M INTERESTED IN YOU KEEPING IT.
Zip it.
Carry it.
Keep it close.
And if some strange fellow like me says:
“Excuse me, your wallet is sticking out…”
Maybe give him the benefit of the doubt.
He may just be trying to save you three days of phone calls.
BE SAFE.
NEVER SORRY.
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
pearlsforthesoul.com
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