Had my purse stolen tonight and aside from a few minutes of panic, it was a very pleasant experience. Let me set the scene for you.
We were having a lovely meal at an Iraqi restaurant on Al Muteena Street. This street has a parkway down the middle of it with palm trees and park benches and is quite populated in the evenings. The men who work in Dubai while their families are back in their home country hang out in the parks in the evenings since they have only crowded shared living quarters to go to otherwise. We were sitting at a table on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant enjoying the evening (it won’t be too much longer before it becomes too hot to do this.) I am usually quite paranoid and careful about my purse, but not tonight. I know better, but I put my purse in the seat next to me. [insert contrite hanging of the head here] So, in the middle of our meal, a man grabbed my purse and took off running. I yelled. The man at the next table next took off after him. I took a few steps, but as Paul sped past me, I realized the futility of my attempting to run anywhere. (Yes, he can speed when properly motivated. It was a sight to behold.) I spent the next few minutes trying to contain my panic as I realized that everything was in that purse. EVERYTHING. But, once I saw how many of the bystanders joined in the chase and the commotion it was causing as this guy tried to run down the parkway crowded with men who had nothing better to do than give chase, I relaxed a little and started telling myself “In little while, Paul will be back with my purse. Everything will be okay.” That thief did not really stand a chance. He did get away, but not before someone snatched my purse back from him and gave it to Paul.
Things I found out after the dust settled – the purse snatcher had been sitting at another table scoping out the situation, so this was quite premeditated. The man at the next table who took chase was the restaurant owner or manager. How’s that for service? He apologized to us for the incident. What has he got to apologize for???
The sad or amusing thing (depending on your perspective) is that the guy is not only out the contents of my purse, but his sandals flew off his feet as he sped away. He’s poor and shoeless.
The feedback we have gotten from people who have lived here a long time is that this is truly rare. I suspected as much based on our experiences so far and the strictness of Arab law. It is not like the American “slap on the wrist” system. People get punished here and then sent back to their country of origin.
Lesson #1 DON’T BE CARELESS with my purse.
Lesson #2 It’s rare, but there are a few thieves here.
Lesson #3 They are not tolerated and bystanders WILL take action.
It is nice to depend on the kindness of strangers.
Living the Travel Channel 