everyone is afraid

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I am traveling with my husband and today stepped into the bathroom at a truck stop and happened to see someone had left their purse there.

I looked through it a little to see if there was any ID. I could not find any, but I didn't look much.

I figured I would pee and then take the purse to security. As I started to sit on the commode there came a loud banging on the door and an older woman screaming "give me my purse".

I opened the door and assured her that I was taking it to security as soon as I was done.

She seemed very angry and I had to strip to have her search me to see if I had stolen anything. When done, and she had seen I did not take anything she hugged me and thanked me for "saving" her purse.

Now I am thinking I probably wouldn't even be safe carrying the purse around with me looking for security bacause if she had seen me she would have told everyone I was stealing it, not trying to return it.

The world is just crazy and sick anymore. Next time I think I will back out of the stall, pretend I never saw anything and just leave.

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

I would have told her to go screw before removing one article of clothing for her ungrateful behind. It's not your problem that she left her purse and too bad for her if she doesn't remember every last item that was in it. You are a lot more tolerant than I am! Rereading your post makes me think I would probably ever so accidentally drop it in the toilet while handing it back to her.

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I wouldn't have taken anything off - even my coat. I would have gone to security immediately. Imagine if she was a scammer and had left the purse as bait...

I have lived in cities where I have run into people who tell you stories to put you off guard so they can scam you.

Once, I found a purse at the intersection of a busy street and a small side street. I found $90 in it along with a wallet and other things. I took it to the address and asked for the person identified by the driver's license in the wallet. The people at the house told me she wasn't there and they didn't know where she was --they hadn't seen her. They weren't very interested in where she might be or what might have happened to her. Then I mentioned that the purse had money in it and they got very interested and insistent that I give it to them. I declined. I took it all to the police station and filed a report.

I've had some bad experiences trying to help people (I don't count the above "purse" experience as a bad experience --just worrisome for the owner --never did find out what happened to her). I am a bit jaded now. I am more willing to try to do something via a reputable organization as mediator. I'm also one to push back so that people stay out of my space.

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You actually stripped???? Why didn't she look in her purse first to see if anything was missing?!?!!? She is probably laughing her orifice off now on how she got you to strip!!!

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I would have giver her her pocketbook and told her she was lucky I found it and not a thief. I would have laughed in her face if she asked me to strip. NEVER let someone treat you that way.

I might have accidentally let it drop on the floor and had everything spill out and get filthy for treating me with disrespect. Teach her a good lesson.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

Unattended bag in a public place? I would have gotten security -- and skipped the ladies room until the bag was out. I wouldn't go rifling through - besides the usual dirty tissues, etc. - I'd hate to be the recipient of a needlestick or worse.

Maybe my paranoid cop of a husband has finally rubbed off. And I would have stripped enough for that old lady to kiss my fat, white butt.

Blee

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.
And I would have stripped enough for that old lady to kiss my fat, white butt.

Blee

heehee:chuckle

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Specializes in HomeHealth / geriatrics.

I think people should have faith in the human race and know there is still good people out there that want to help. And yeah I would have just gotten security you never know how people react when your only trying to help. This lady obviously overreacted she should have not left her purse there in the first place.

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You stripped for a stranger in a public place?

Now I think I've heard everything.

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I would have told her to go screw before removing one article of clothing for her ungrateful behind. It's not your problem that she left her purse and too bad for her if she doesn't remember every last item that was in it. You are a lot more tolerant than I am! Rereading your post makes me think I would probably ever so accidentally drop it in the toilet while handing it back to her.

This. I'm glad you are the type of person to return a purse and not take it, but it's okay to have boundaries!

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I think people are beating up on you for being intimidated into removing some of your clothes, which is blaming the victim.

That said, I hope you develop the confidence you need to resist such outrageous and abusive demands.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Thanks for making me laugh. Yeah, I stripped for her, but she was an old lady, so I don't feel too violated.

It just scares me to think of how much trouble I could have gotten into just for trying to do the right thing.

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