For a while, a good friend of mine would terrify me by taking the wallets off of strangers and then handing it back to them. He told them that it fell out of their pocket and he never took anything. I don't know if he did it for a personal thrill or to get a rise out of me but I have to admit it was entertaining. It was mostly from behind while we stood in line or walked in a crowd so he didn't play any of the psychological tricks mentioned in the article. He was just opportunistic and thought it was funny when I yelled at him later.
Yeah, that's definitely one way to describe him. The same friend likes to show up to vacations and leave the country for months at a time without any notice. On the theme of pickpockets however, I once had my wallet picked out of my back pocket by a resident of a retirement home. I worked there at the "4 star" restaurant and ended my shift without my billfold. I was leaning over the table pouring water for a customer when I felt the glance of the hostesses hand tap my ass on the way to another table. When I turned around to give her a look, it was actually a group of residents (senior citizens) looking wobbly and innocent enough that I didn't pay any mind to what they looked like. I didn't feel like embarrassing a customer by acknowledging the fact that my ass had been handled. By the time I was trying to pay for my dinner at whataburger, my wallet was gone and I had no recognition of the wrinkly face that had done me in. Sorry for all of the thieving stories, I don't try to make these things happen.
Psh. C'mon, thieving stories make for great conversation. In fact, it might make for a good #askhubski thread. I have never had my pocket picked, but I have had my house burglarized several times and had petty thieves snatch things from open windows and such. Having things stolen is just something we all go through, one way or another.Sorry for all of the thieving stories, I don't try to make these things happen.