the craziest thing happened to me last night.
After my massage at Subconscious, I was taking a leisurely stroll down Changle Lu in the French Concession, window shopping in some nearby shops. It was about 9PM on a Monday night, so there weren’t a lot of people out. Seeing as it’s winter in Shanghai, I had on my puffy parka-like coat- hood up, iPhone in my pocket, jamming out to some tunes, minding my own business. As I’m nearing the intersection where I planned to hail a cab, I’m suddenly not listening to music anymore. “Hmmmm, that’s weird,” I thought. I figured I must have knocked my headphones out of my phone, as I often do, because the cord was dangling in front of me. Instinctively, I reached into my right pocket to pull out my phone and plug them back in when…Oh No! Where is my iPhone!
I was JUST listening to music, and now it’s not there! In it’s place…emptiness. I can’t lose my phone! I need it! Someone just stole my phone! I have to get it back! How I was going to get it back, I had no idea, but I was determined to reclaim what was mine. I quickly turned around, headed back the way I just came. As I said earlier, there weren’t many people out on the street. Surveying the area, I noticed a Chinese man in his mid-twenties emerge from a nearby alley. Wearing a track jacket, jeans, and trainers, he was just your average guy. Something told me he was the one who had taken my phone. I’d never seen him before, nor had I even felt someone reach into my pocket, but I was sure it was him.
I marched right up to him and, wagging my finger in his face, yelled, “You took my phone! Give it back now!”
“Shenme?” he responded, clearly confused by my English.
“I know you have my phone! I want it back!”
Another confused look crossed his face, followed by inaudible mumblings.
Something kept gnawing at me that this was the guy. Glancing at his jacket pocket, I noticed the outline of something rectangular. Pointing, I shouted, “Empty your pockets! Give me back my phone! Now! Take out what’s in your pockets!”
At this point, he’s fumbling around, his face bearing that familiar guilty look I know so well from my years of teaching elementary school. He might not have understood what I was saying, but he knew what I meant. Continuing my rant, I demanded again that he show me what was in his pockets. By some sort of miracle, he didn’t take off running, nor did he do anything to hurt me, but instead, emptied his pockets, revealing my iPhone. After immediately snatching it from his hand, I scolded, “You don’t do that! You don’t steal someone’s phone! That’s not nice! You are so rude!”
Feeling vindicated, I stuffed my phone back into my pocket, turned, and walked away. My heart pounding out of my chest, I felt this rush of adrenalin. Did I really just do that? Did I confront a man who stole something from me and WIN?!?! Who am I? I’m a badass. That’s what I am.
**After living in Shanghai for 3 and a half years, I’ve had more than my share of bad luck when it comes to things being stolen– one phone, four bikes, and, most recently, 5000RMB. My go-to response has always been self-pity and a lot of crying, but not this time. For whatever reason, I was not going to take it again. The Jennifer I was a year ago would never have done what I did last night. I’m not entirely sure what came over me, but I’m pretty darn proud of myself for standing up and taking back what was mine!
Woah! You are pretty awesome!! This is a great story, I’m glad to hear that there was a happy ending and you got your phone back. 🙂
Thanks Jee Young! It was a surreal experience for sure!
OMG!! First of all that your phone could disappear out of your pocket while you were listening. Secondly, you found the sneaky thief and got it back. Amazing! So glad this had a happy ending, but it could have been tragic. Stay safe!
I’m glad, too! The good thing is that Shanghai is a pretty safe place, so no worries. Thanks for caring!
This is an acceptable thing to do here since the common person doesn’t have a gun. Good work.
True story….thanks, Ayesha!
You must have had some very strong karma going at that moment. But the whole story is very frightening. Take good care of yourself.
Bernadette
I’ll do that Bernadette…thanks! 🙂
Bad ass indeed!! I love the fact that you got your phone back and especially the stern teacher-ly lecture you gave afterwards, lol. This reminds me of another bad-ass woman post: http://paindecampagne.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/i-was-supposed-to-laugh-when-flirtation-crosses-the-line/
I am really excited to have found your blog through Slice of Life. My post today also comes from living abroad, though I scribbled it a couple years ago.
I’ll have to check them both out! Thanks!
Holy cow! You’re brave (and perceptive). I can’t believe you got it back. Wow!
BTW: I’m glad you’re okay. You had me pretty nervous when I saw this man appear from an alley in your writing.
Thanks Stacey! I can’t believe it either!
Wow…love this line, Who am I? I’m a badass. That’s what I am.
I am impressed…and I did it once too, with a digital camera 🙂 The guy shook my hand and said, “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I did that.”
I love that line, too. 🙂 It seems like you are a badass as well! Nice work!
I love this story. I love that you stood up for yourself and what was right. I am certain you have just officially put an end to your bad luck with all of the Shanghai thieves!
Thanks Shaggers! I’m hoping you’re right about my streak of bad luck in Shanghai! 🙂
Badass = not the adjective I would’ve used to describe you when we used to hang, either. Funny how life experiences can uncover surprises!
I’ve definitely grown as a result of living overseas! Miss you Debbie! 🙂
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