So this post is all about my BAD EXPERIENCES. I think I can actually say that I attract Gropper, Mugger and Pickpocket. I have a lot of experiences with them and if I'm going to state everything here... this will be a very LONG post.
GROPER
According to freedictionary.com Groper means:
As an anime enthusiast, I always see the scene where a Japanese high school student was being groped by a man, usually old salary man. And I always think "What a horrible man?! What a horrible thing to do?! Such a pathetic man."
However, I never really thought that I will experience this... a number of times. Not necessarily at the train... but usually in the Jeepney (one of the Philippines' mode of transportations), bus and fx/van (one of the Philippines' mode of transportations).
Two of my worst experiences:
- I was walking at the mall. It was around 7:00 pm and I needed to catch the van to my home. I was always in a hurry because the line would build up. During this time, FX was seldom in the area where I needed to ride it. So, while I was walking I noticed a man following me. I am very sensitive outside, I know if there's somebody looking at me or following me. He was tall, middle age, a little fat (the usual beer belly man) and he looked like a maniac. He got something in his pocket and displayed his thick wallet. I avoided him and tried to take the long way to go down to the first floor but he was very fast. The next thing I knew he was already by my side. He asked in a very eerily low voice "How much for one night?" I looked at him and I really wanted to hit the man on his face but I tried to calm down because I don't want to cause a scene in public. I just looked at him with my very angry face and reported the man to the security guard. I don't know what happened next. Maybe you'll think that the reason why he approached was because I was wearing a very sexy clothes but NO. I was wearing my usual loose black shirt, overly faded pants, chuck taylor and backpack... I wondered... do I look like some kind of a cheap girl?
- In jeepney. I was about to get off because I noticed that all the passengers were man... some of them are dirty looking (I'm sorry but I am just being honest here.) There were others who smelled like liquor... like beer and who looked drunk. I didn't get off because I already gave my payment to the jeepney driver and I didn't want to waste my money. I was wearing my tight jeans, rubber shoes, loose 3/4 blouse and my backpack. The usual... as much as possible I don't want to show so much skin because of my first bad experience. I noticed and felt the elbow of the man sitting beside me feeling up the side of my stomach. I tried to move to show that I was aware of what he was doing but his elbow continued to move around until it reached the side of right breast. Since the jeepney driver was driving like a crazy man, I needed to hold the bar attached to the jeepney to support myself. So my right hand was holding the bar for support. I looked at the man. He was another old fat and dirty old man. He smiled at me... like a maniac and I was overly grossed out. I wanted to punch him on his face when he winked at me but as always I calmed down and told him "Excuse me mister, but your elbow is hitting me, could you please stop digging it on my body?" One man noticed the irritation on my voice and he scolded the man beside me. I wondered again... Why do man do this "Grope" thing to other woman? If they want to touch someone, why not their wife? if they do this to their wife... it's LEGAL and NATURAL but doing this to other woman is IMMORAL and GROSS.
MUGGER
In the city where I live... Muggers are very common and their population is increasing these days. They are associated to the prostitutes who are working at night somewhere near my hometown (According to the man who helped me during my worst experience with a mugger.)
My worst experience: I was on my way to the FX Terminal, the time? 5:00 am. It's very early. I'm always early to avoid rush hour and traffic jam. I was with my mother but she couldn't walk fast because she had just an operation. She told me to go ahead without her. I was carrying my backpack. I am really slim and light nowadays and if somebody will try to pull my backpack... I will definitely fall down. So it happened. I felt like somebody was trying to pull my backpack and I heard the zipper of my bag unzipping (My hearing ability is very good). When I looked back, I saw a man. His right hand was on the zipper of my bag and I caught him unzipping the zipper of it. I was like "What the hell are you doing?" He told me... "I was just trying to help you zip back your bag because it was unzipped." Of course, only a fool will believe his lie. I called my mother who was slowly approaching me and one man tried to catch him but the Mugger was very fast.
Advice: Always carry your backpack in front of you and make sure that your wallet, your phone or anything very important are at the bottom of your bag. Nowadays, I always do that. I usually use two phone...so that in case somebody will get the other one I still have another to call my mother or father or anybody for help.
PICKPOCKET
My worst Experience: The year was 2011. March. I was on my way to my friends house. That day was our graduation party. I brought two bags with me since I will sleep in their house. My phone was in the front pocket in order for me to easily grab it if ever my friend will call me. However, I forgot that the place is a famous spot for pickpockets. As I was walking, suddenly the two women who were walking in front of me slowed down their pace. So it took me a long time to walk to the FX Terminal. When I was there, I noticed that the front pocket of my bag was opened. I got nervous and I knew that my phone was already gone. But I still checked... and I was correct. I was in trouble because I don't know how am I going to contact my parents and my friends. I don't have a phone. Luckily, I found a local store who offers "Pay Phone". I called my mother and told her about the incident. She was very mad and scolded and asked me to go back home... but I insisted on going to the party because my friends were expecting me. Fortunately, my friends cheered me up the whole night. We danced, sang and have fun at the club.
Advice: If ever you're going to visit my country (Philippines) I suggest not to use your phone in public (if it is an iPhone or any expensive phone) because they are being targeted by these people. Make sure not to register the complete name of your contacts because these pickpockets might try to contact them and ask them for anything (which happened to my friend... she thought I was the one she was talking with). If you have the means... buy a cheaper phone so that you can still contact your friends or family in case of emergency.
These are my experiences. I learned a lot from them and it made me very sensitive with my surroundings. I still encounter them... but at least now... I know how to handle them. Please... don't ever attempt to fight with these people if you want to stay alive. Just give them everything they will ask you. Your life is more precious than your money, phone or jewelries. You can still buy them but you cannot buy another life. Just be careful and focus on your surroundings. Make sure not to look strangers on their eyes because some of them know how to hypnotize people.
My country is a very Beautiful country... but with these people I sometimes want to move to another country where I can't meet them... or seldom meet them.
Good Luck everyone!
Stay Safe
Sincerely,
Erica/Erix
Things that made me happy:
- Cooking Japanese Food.
- Reply from Ms. Nami (Author of justonecookbook.com). She's very nice! I want to meet her someday!
- Talking to my friend Mutsuko-san. We both like Tofu. :)
- Talking to my friend about all my worries.
- Playing guitar.
- Preparing my breakfast in the morning.
- Talking to people in Instagram.
- Eating healthy and delicious food.
