[rdgrad15]

I've always wondered, when someone asks you to watch their belongings when they've stepped away for a few minutes, do they actually expect you to fight for their belongings if someone were to actually try to take it? I feel like sometimes doing this can be inconveniencing someone since the person may feel obligated to stick around until the owner of the belongings returns. I never ask strangers to watch my stuff. I trust no one. And also, how do people know whether or not the person they are asking is actually planning on taking something?

That's basically the reason I never ask. Not only do I not want to inconvenience someone, I don't want to accidently ask someone, only to find out that person was actually a thief. Do you guys think it is really that wise to ask random strangers to watch over your belongings? I feel like it isn't but I guess it is different for everyone. It is different if you know the person. If you know the person, and they aren't planning on leaving, then I think it is okay. But asking a random stranger is risky in my opinion. What are your thoughts? Just curious to see if you think it is risky as well or not.

[CharcoalGray]

I think it's risky...

I wouldn't want to leave my stuff with some random stranger, nor would I be comfortable watching their stuff either. The exception being an emergency of course where there wasn't a choice. Other than that, no thanks. Too risky for me.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by CharcoalGray

I think it's risky...

I agree.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

I wouldn't want to leave my stuff with some random stranger, nor would I be comfortable watching their stuff either. The exception being an emergency of course where there wasn't a choice. Other than that, no thanks. Too risky for me.

I agree. Unless I know the person, I don't want to watch their stuff. Not only would I not trust a stranger, but at the same time, I don't want to be burdened with having to make sure someone else's belongings don't get stolen. And I just don't want other strangers watching my stuff. They could easily take my belongings. They're probably more likely to take it than other random people just because of the fact that they know they have the opportunity to take unattended stuff.

[*Laurie*]

For 13 years I worked in a cafe. There were many 'regular' customers who would sit at tables for hours, usually working on their laptops. I was frequently asked to watch their stuff while they went to the bathroom or moved their car. I hated when people asked me to watch their possessions! I mean, what could I do if someone tried to steal their items? Nothing, really - and I felt like I was put in danger of sorts, being asked to watch their stuff.

Personally, I don't ask anyone except a family member to watch my purse - and then I would hand my purse to the family member and ask them to actually hold on to it. As for a laptop and other possessions, I just don't ask another person to watch the items. I don't think it's a thoughtful request.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

For 13 years I worked in a cafe. There were many 'regular' customers who would sit at tables for hours, usually working on their laptops. I was frequently asked to watch their stuff while they went to the bathroom or moved their car. I hated when people asked me to watch their possessions! I mean, what could I do if someone tried to steal their items? Nothing, really - and I felt like I was put in danger of sorts, being asked to watch their stuff.

Personally, I don't ask anyone except a family member to watch my purse - and then I would hand my purse to the family member and ask them to actually hold on to it. As for a laptop and other possessions, I just don't ask another person to watch the items. I don't think it's a thoughtful request.

I completely agree! It is too much of a burden and too risky. And I also agree that it is not a thoughtful request since it comes off as irresponsible and makes other people feel obligated. In some cases, asking for a friend to watch something while I step away for a minute or two is one thing, as long as they aren't planning on leaving. But it is an entirely different scenario when asking a stranger to watch their belongings, and vise versa.

[laughingboy]

I too wouldn't ever ask someone to watch over my things, maybe I'm just too paranoid, but unless I actually know them I keep to myself.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by laughingboy

I too wouldn't ever ask someone to watch over my things, maybe I'm just too paranoid, but unless I actually know them I keep to myself.

Same here. I don't think it is paranoid to feel that way. I actually consider it more responsible since you are looking after your own stuff rather than having a stranger watch over it, risking having your stuff stolen. And even if they are a good person, I don't think it is necessary to inconvenience someone who may have other things to do.

[Travelinglady]

Having some watch out for your belongings is the only way to halfway safeguard them while you are gone. If someone tried to take something I was safeguarding, I think I would protest! We can always say "no" when someone asks us to, if need be, lying that we will be leaving for a bit ourselves.

[RainyDay107]

I've not had this happen often, but I don't feel comfortable with it. Especially in today's world. I'd never, ever agree to do it in an airport, for example.

I'm not paranoid, but I am wary of strangers. I'm more than fine with watching a friend's purse if we are meeting for coffee and she needs the restroom. Strangers....not the same fo me. I have had men ask me to watch their laptops in cafes and it was pretty clear they were using it as an excuse to hit on me/flirt. I'm not interested.

If some random stranger asks me to watch their stuff, I typically agree to do so to avoid conflict. However, if somebody were to threaten me with bodily harm for said things, I would give the thief the person's things to avoid personal injury because I don't care enough about anybody aside from maybe 5-6 people at the most to put my well being or life at risk for them.

I know I'm harsh but that is how I've survived thus far.

[Septembersrain]

If someone asks me I'll guard their stuff like it's my own. I don't ask people to watch mine unless it's my fiancee.

[-jimi-]

I've never seen it as I should protect their bag that they left. I don't think I'm even asked to. I think they just bring the attention to themselves and the bag so I know what they look like so that I will react if someone else starts opening their bag. Also I think what they are asking me is if I am going to be there a while, until they come back.

I think they only expect me to say "Hey that is not your bag!" And they expect the other person to be scared enough to just leave. I don't think they expect me to physically protect their bag or put myself in danger.

That said, it is weird they do trust me. But in a weird way I can understand that. There are a lot of hidden contracts in social situations. Connections between people can happen even if they only last for a few minutes. Also they have seen you and know what you look like if you take off with something in their bag so I guess they trust that will scare you straight.

Of course this trust is an illusion. But also, most people are not thieves so statistically it should go OK. In a way it comforts me that strangers do trust me. That not all humans think other people are bad.

Originally Posted by rdgrad15

I've always wondered, when someone asks you to watch their belongings when they've stepped away for a few minutes, do they actually expect you to fight for their belongings if someone were to actually try to take it? I feel like sometimes doing this can be inconveniencing someone since the person may feel obligated to stick around until the owner of the belongings returns. I never ask strangers to watch my stuff. I trust no one. And also, how do people know whether or not the person they are asking is actually planning on taking something?

That's basically the reason I never ask. Not only do I not want to inconvenience someone, I don't want to accidently ask someone, only to find out that person was actually a thief. Do you guys think it is really that wise to ask random strangers to watch over your belongings? I feel like it isn't but I guess it is different for everyone. It is different if you know the person. If you know the person, and they aren't planning on leaving, then I think it is okay. But asking a random stranger is risky in my opinion. What are your thoughts? Just curious to see if you think it is risky as well or not.

No. It's not wise. But I can continue to have faith in people OR I can turn into my dad, who trusts no one and is convinced that the world is out to screw him.

Ultimately, he is the one (of the two of us) who gets hurt less. But I am okay with being a hurt optimistic. I choose that.

[KarenSue]

You can always tell someone "no" if you don't want to do something. You don't need to make up any excuse. Learning how to say "no" just b/c I didn't want to do something was one of the best lessons I learned as an adult.

[JaynePhoenix]

It amazes me in this day and age that people are quite happy to ask a random stranger to watch their possessions. I personally don't like it and certainly would never ever ask someone random to watch my stuff. If I'm somewhere and someone asks me to watch their possessions i usually make some excuse like oh I'm sorry I'm leaving in a minute or just plain say no I'm not happy doing so.
On one instance a lady asked me to look after her dog whilst she went into a shop, i said I'd really rather not and she got really weird with me. I ended up saying, you don't know me, whilst i love animals i would really rather not have the responsibility of watching your dog, what if it were to get loose or worse still bite someone? I was also concerned that was this person going to abandon the dog her insistence that she wanted me to watch it raised my suspicion that this was a possibility.
In the end i watched her tie it up and walk off into a shopping centre, i did actually feel a responsibility to the dog not her to watch to make sure she came back to collect it. Which after about half an hour she did!
But when it comes down to watching people's stuff then no i don't do it.