Stay away from Brussels!
Aug 27th 2004, 8:25 am
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: AS we rant along . . .Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
>This moron thinks my warning is not real. I was just trying to be
>helpful to other fellow travellers who may be stopping over in
>Brussels-MIDI, but obviously this fool did not appreciate my
>attempts.
Your header was not quite in keeping with the intention you now state.
>I could show you my police report if you like but this would be a
>waste of time to drunks and idiots like you. Why dont you stupid
>bastard drink yourself to death and cease to exist? Since you are so
>fond of drinking, you asshole.
Oh, dear. There really is no need to be abusive. The post to which you
were responding was not abusive.
>I post a warning from the Bristish Foreign Service for the benefit of
>other travellers to Brussels,
[snipped for brevity]
It's all reasonable advice but, to be blunt, an experienced or
sensible traveller would not need it. You were off guard, and that was
unfortunate for you. I don't blame you; the blame belongs with the
thieves. But travellers need to be vigilant everywhere, and there are
places and circumstances where a higher level of vigilance is a good
idea.
Stay cool.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>This moron thinks my warning is not real. I was just trying to be
>helpful to other fellow travellers who may be stopping over in
>Brussels-MIDI, but obviously this fool did not appreciate my
>attempts.
Your header was not quite in keeping with the intention you now state.
>I could show you my police report if you like but this would be a
>waste of time to drunks and idiots like you. Why dont you stupid
>bastard drink yourself to death and cease to exist? Since you are so
>fond of drinking, you asshole.
Oh, dear. There really is no need to be abusive. The post to which you
were responding was not abusive.
>I post a warning from the Bristish Foreign Service for the benefit of
>other travellers to Brussels,
[snipped for brevity]
It's all reasonable advice but, to be blunt, an experienced or
sensible traveller would not need it. You were off guard, and that was
unfortunate for you. I don't blame you; the blame belongs with the
thieves. But travellers need to be vigilant everywhere, and there are
places and circumstances where a higher level of vigilance is a good
idea.
Stay cool.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Aug 27th 2004, 12:51 pm
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: AS we rant along . . .Re: Stay away from Brussels!
On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 13:47:01 -0500, jcoulter wrote:
> Bronson the OP may or may not have been real but the troll like legacy of
> starting a long and meaningless thread is begining to show.
Looks like no troll, but possibly some real folk called Kelsey Jones?
> Bronson the OP may or may not have been real but the troll like legacy of
> starting a long and meaningless thread is begining to show.
Looks like no troll, but possibly some real folk called Kelsey Jones?
Aug 27th 2004, 7:14 pm
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: AS we rant along . . .Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
> This moron thinks my warning is not real. I was just trying to be
> helpful to other fellow travellers who may be stopping over in
> Brussels-MIDI
If that were true, you wouldn't have used the subject "Stay away from
Brussels!"
> but obviously this fool did not appreciate my attempts.
More credit to him.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
> This moron thinks my warning is not real. I was just trying to be
> helpful to other fellow travellers who may be stopping over in
> Brussels-MIDI
If that were true, you wouldn't have used the subject "Stay away from
Brussels!"
> but obviously this fool did not appreciate my attempts.
More credit to him.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Aug 27th 2004, 9:05 pm
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: AS we rant along . . .Re: Stay away from Brussels!
"Bronson Lee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> This moron thinks my warning is not real. I was just trying to be
> helpful to other fellow travellers who may be stopping over in
> Brussels-MIDI, but obviously this fool did not appreciate my
> attempts.
> I could show you my police report if you like but this would be a
> waste of time to drunks and idiots like you. Why dont you stupid
> bastard drink yourself to death and cease to exist? Since you are so
> fond of drinking, you asshole.
Hmm - sadly seems the OP is not a troll.
http://www.proex.ca/en/AboutUs/OurEt...rinciples.html
"...with equal treatment and without discrimination, regardless of race,
ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex,
sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or handicap. "
Read it and weep. Mind you, doesn't say anything specific about Belgium....
news:[email protected]...
> This moron thinks my warning is not real. I was just trying to be
> helpful to other fellow travellers who may be stopping over in
> Brussels-MIDI, but obviously this fool did not appreciate my
> attempts.
> I could show you my police report if you like but this would be a
> waste of time to drunks and idiots like you. Why dont you stupid
> bastard drink yourself to death and cease to exist? Since you are so
> fond of drinking, you asshole.
Hmm - sadly seems the OP is not a troll.
http://www.proex.ca/en/AboutUs/OurEt...rinciples.html
"...with equal treatment and without discrimination, regardless of race,
ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex,
sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or handicap. "
Read it and weep. Mind you, doesn't say anything specific about Belgium....
Aug 27th 2004, 10:20 pm
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: AS we rant along . . .Re: Stay away from Brussels!
On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 15:33:31 -0400, Bronson Lee <[email protected]>
wrote:
>This moron thinks my warning is not real. I was just trying to be
>helpful to other fellow travellers who may be stopping over in
>Brussels-MIDI, but obviously this fool did not appreciate my
>attempts.
Still, 'stay away from Brussels' isn't very helpful advice: 'be
vigilant. and be aware that some locations including Midi station are
particularly prone to petty crime' is helpful. I might have missed
one, but I don't recall seeing responses suggesting that your
experience was invented. Several people made the point that thefts
happen at big rail stations in many parts of the world, which seems a
reasonable response.
Martin
wrote:
>This moron thinks my warning is not real. I was just trying to be
>helpful to other fellow travellers who may be stopping over in
>Brussels-MIDI, but obviously this fool did not appreciate my
>attempts.
Still, 'stay away from Brussels' isn't very helpful advice: 'be
vigilant. and be aware that some locations including Midi station are
particularly prone to petty crime' is helpful. I might have missed
one, but I don't recall seeing responses suggesting that your
experience was invented. Several people made the point that thefts
happen at big rail stations in many parts of the world, which seems a
reasonable response.
Martin
Aug 28th 2004, 7:55 am
#51
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Olivers <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Alan (in Brussels) extrapolated from data available...
>
>
> >
> > ISTM that this story merely confirms that thieves tend to be
> > 'opportunist' rather than rational, and so we should all make sure
> > that they have as few opportunities as possible.
> >
>
> I suspect that manhole cover thieves are quite rational (simply pretty low
> in the Grand Pecking Order of Thievery), induced by the ready and willing
> attitude of scrap iron dealers to purchase items which can hardly be
> anything but "hot" (like "TTops" and "spinner hubcaps" once were). In the
> grand old days of law enforcement, a couple of scrap dealers would be
> hauled down to the local prefecture, beaten severely about the head and
> shoulders with heavy wet towels and other non-marking bludgeons, their
> coinboxes emptied as a contribution to the police mess coffee fund, severe
> threats made concerning their wives and daughters, and within days, man
> hole cover thefts in the area would cease.
>
> TMO
>
> Throughout modern history, scrap dealers have qualified for a Pantheon of
> Public Distrust, ranking with second hand car salesmen, pawn brokers, bail
> bondsmen (in the US), television evangelists, and a selected cross section
> of contestants for national political offices.
TMO,
How could you have forgottten Lawyers????????
> Alan (in Brussels) extrapolated from data available...
>
>
> >
> > ISTM that this story merely confirms that thieves tend to be
> > 'opportunist' rather than rational, and so we should all make sure
> > that they have as few opportunities as possible.
> >
>
> I suspect that manhole cover thieves are quite rational (simply pretty low
> in the Grand Pecking Order of Thievery), induced by the ready and willing
> attitude of scrap iron dealers to purchase items which can hardly be
> anything but "hot" (like "TTops" and "spinner hubcaps" once were). In the
> grand old days of law enforcement, a couple of scrap dealers would be
> hauled down to the local prefecture, beaten severely about the head and
> shoulders with heavy wet towels and other non-marking bludgeons, their
> coinboxes emptied as a contribution to the police mess coffee fund, severe
> threats made concerning their wives and daughters, and within days, man
> hole cover thefts in the area would cease.
>
> TMO
>
> Throughout modern history, scrap dealers have qualified for a Pantheon of
> Public Distrust, ranking with second hand car salesmen, pawn brokers, bail
> bondsmen (in the US), television evangelists, and a selected cross section
> of contestants for national political offices.
TMO,
How could you have forgottten Lawyers????????
Aug 28th 2004, 5:09 pm
#52
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Sjoerd wrote:
> Oh, my dear Gregory, what has happened to you since you were a reasonable
> human being? I bet you don't get out of your house much these days,
Tut tut my dear boy Sjoerd I get out of the house plenty...however I do from
time to time check in here to check out your level of anti - US and anti -
Jewish "paranoia"...and your dismissals that Islam is no threat to Europe.
It makes for good entertainment. Not to worry, luv, despite some of your
wrong - headed "ideas" I do believe you to be a good bloke at heart :-)
BTW how are the lovely folks at the lovely embassy of that lovely free and
democratic country Myanmar doing these days, eh?
because
> your opinions are so strikingly similar to those of my 78 year old
> neighbour, who never travels more than 10 kilometers from our area, still
> warns me continuously about the dangers that are awaiting me when I
travel.
Well there Sjoerd when I read about tourist muggings and such in places like
the www.themoscowtimes.com or www.praguepost.cz or wherever it's not me
dreaming up those articles, now is it...???
Are those pickpockets on the Praha #22 tram or the gangs of gypsy thieves
that attack hapless groups of elderly Brit tourists in Sankt Pete just a
ruse to get higher circulation ratings, I wonder...???
> I can tell you, Gregory, that reading too many news stories about robbery,
> rape and murder in Europe isn't good for your mental health. Perhaps you
> should travel to Europe, if just once, to see that reality is nothing like
> what the media apparently tell you.
Oh I have a number of times and have never had a lick of trouble with
criminal behaviour of any type...just like here in the States, even in areas
that most would consider "unsafe", e.g. the South Side of Chicago or
Anacostia in DC. I guess that comes from me being somewhat well - informed
about things :-)
--
Best
Greg
> Oh, my dear Gregory, what has happened to you since you were a reasonable
> human being? I bet you don't get out of your house much these days,
Tut tut my dear boy Sjoerd I get out of the house plenty...however I do from
time to time check in here to check out your level of anti - US and anti -
Jewish "paranoia"...and your dismissals that Islam is no threat to Europe.
It makes for good entertainment. Not to worry, luv, despite some of your
wrong - headed "ideas" I do believe you to be a good bloke at heart :-)
BTW how are the lovely folks at the lovely embassy of that lovely free and
democratic country Myanmar doing these days, eh?
because
> your opinions are so strikingly similar to those of my 78 year old
> neighbour, who never travels more than 10 kilometers from our area, still
> warns me continuously about the dangers that are awaiting me when I
travel.
Well there Sjoerd when I read about tourist muggings and such in places like
the www.themoscowtimes.com or www.praguepost.cz or wherever it's not me
dreaming up those articles, now is it...???
Are those pickpockets on the Praha #22 tram or the gangs of gypsy thieves
that attack hapless groups of elderly Brit tourists in Sankt Pete just a
ruse to get higher circulation ratings, I wonder...???
> I can tell you, Gregory, that reading too many news stories about robbery,
> rape and murder in Europe isn't good for your mental health. Perhaps you
> should travel to Europe, if just once, to see that reality is nothing like
> what the media apparently tell you.
Oh I have a number of times and have never had a lick of trouble with
criminal behaviour of any type...just like here in the States, even in areas
that most would consider "unsafe", e.g. the South Side of Chicago or
Anacostia in DC. I guess that comes from me being somewhat well - informed
about things :-)
--
Best
Greg
Aug 28th 2004, 5:15 pm
#53
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
"Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
viestissä news:[email protected] ink.net...
> Sjoerd wrote:
> > Oh, my dear Gregory, what has happened to you since you were a
reasonable
> > human being? I bet you don't get out of your house much these days,
> Tut tut my dear boy Sjoerd I get out of the house plenty...however I do
from
> time to time check in here to check out your level of anti - US and anti -
> Jewish "paranoia"...and your dismissals that Islam is no threat to Europe.
Yids live in the USA and moslems in the Middle East.
viestissä news:[email protected] ink.net...
> Sjoerd wrote:
> > Oh, my dear Gregory, what has happened to you since you were a
reasonable
> > human being? I bet you don't get out of your house much these days,
> Tut tut my dear boy Sjoerd I get out of the house plenty...however I do
from
> time to time check in here to check out your level of anti - US and anti -
> Jewish "paranoia"...and your dismissals that Islam is no threat to Europe.
Yids live in the USA and moslems in the Middle East.
Aug 29th 2004, 12:58 am
#54
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
> Now I will regret this decision to
> stop in Brussels - for the rest of my life. There are so many creeps
> and low lifes hanging around the station.
Most of the thieves in Brussels actually hang around in fancy offices at the EU.
(Bad luck on your experience, BTW)
J;
> Now I will regret this decision to
> stop in Brussels - for the rest of my life. There are so many creeps
> and low lifes hanging around the station.
Most of the thieves in Brussels actually hang around in fancy offices at the EU.
(Bad luck on your experience, BTW)
J;
Aug 29th 2004, 3:10 am
#55
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 05:58:30 -0700, Jeremy wrote:
> Most of the thieves in Brussels actually hang around in fancy offices at the EU.
Most of whom, or shall we say the most skillful and successful ones, are
Brits, BTW.
(Not quite the same, but what I mean to say is that from what I have seen,
occasionally participating in EU contract audits, often British
organizations came ahead of the crowd as far as using the EU as a cow to
milk.)
Then there are agriculture subsidies, and France. But that's another
story.
> Most of the thieves in Brussels actually hang around in fancy offices at the EU.
Most of whom, or shall we say the most skillful and successful ones, are
Brits, BTW.
(Not quite the same, but what I mean to say is that from what I have seen,
occasionally participating in EU contract audits, often British
organizations came ahead of the crowd as far as using the EU as a cow to
milk.)
Then there are agriculture subsidies, and France. But that's another
story.
Aug 29th 2004, 11:55 pm
#56
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
> [email protected] (me) wrote:
>
[snip]
> > That's a bit harsh, at least based upon the information provided.
> >These folks are pro's in essence and he was "bested" for the few
> >moments it took to take the bag. Not exactly "off ones guard".
> >Just got beat by a better player.
> >
> I don't think it's harsh. When a stranger attempts to engage your
> attention, you should immediately become even more vigilant.
But in what manner? You can be aware of a potential threat,
but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
> [email protected] (me) wrote:
>
[snip]
> > That's a bit harsh, at least based upon the information provided.
> >These folks are pro's in essence and he was "bested" for the few
> >moments it took to take the bag. Not exactly "off ones guard".
> >Just got beat by a better player.
> >
> I don't think it's harsh. When a stranger attempts to engage your
> attention, you should immediately become even more vigilant.
But in what manner? You can be aware of a potential threat,
but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
Aug 30th 2004, 12:31 am
#57
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
[email protected] (me) wrote:
>Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
>> When a stranger attempts to engage your
>> attention, you should immediately become even more vigilant.
> But in what manner?
As appropriate to the situation. That's not a cop-out answer. Every
circumstance is different.
> You can be aware of a potential threat,
>but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
>checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
If you are alert, you'll have a pretty good idea of where the
vulnerabilities are. For example, if you have a bag on the seat beside
you, and your wallet is in your pocket, you don't check the wallet;
you check the bag.
Nobody is 100% proof against thieves, but some people are far less
likely to be victims than are others. It's not entirely down to
chance.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
>> When a stranger attempts to engage your
>> attention, you should immediately become even more vigilant.
> But in what manner?
As appropriate to the situation. That's not a cop-out answer. Every
circumstance is different.
> You can be aware of a potential threat,
>but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
>checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
If you are alert, you'll have a pretty good idea of where the
vulnerabilities are. For example, if you have a bag on the seat beside
you, and your wallet is in your pocket, you don't check the wallet;
you check the bag.
Nobody is 100% proof against thieves, but some people are far less
likely to be victims than are others. It's not entirely down to
chance.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Aug 30th 2004, 12:53 am
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
[email protected] (me) wrote in
news:[email protected] om:
> Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>. ..
>> [email protected] (me) wrote:
>>
> [snip]
>> > That's a bit harsh, at least based upon the information provided.
>> >These folks are pro's in essence and he was "bested" for the few
>> >moments it took to take the bag. Not exactly "off ones guard".
>> >Just got beat by a better player.
>> >
>> I don't think it's harsh. When a stranger attempts to engage your
>> attention, you should immediately become even more vigilant.
>
> But in what manner? You can be aware of a potential threat,
> but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
> checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
check your wallet and be assured someone else is checking to see where it
is. Keeping it somewhere that you can continually monitor without unusual
behavior or movements is better. a wallet in the front pocket for instance
can be "checked" with light brushing that comes normally with walking,
reaching up to check your butt signals which side to target.
OP was trying to "guard" too much stuff alone. if you can't be in control
of all that you are guarding, you are guarding too much and inviting
others to assist you.
news:[email protected] om:
> Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>. ..
>> [email protected] (me) wrote:
>>
> [snip]
>> > That's a bit harsh, at least based upon the information provided.
>> >These folks are pro's in essence and he was "bested" for the few
>> >moments it took to take the bag. Not exactly "off ones guard".
>> >Just got beat by a better player.
>> >
>> I don't think it's harsh. When a stranger attempts to engage your
>> attention, you should immediately become even more vigilant.
>
> But in what manner? You can be aware of a potential threat,
> but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
> checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
check your wallet and be assured someone else is checking to see where it
is. Keeping it somewhere that you can continually monitor without unusual
behavior or movements is better. a wallet in the front pocket for instance
can be "checked" with light brushing that comes normally with walking,
reaching up to check your butt signals which side to target.
OP was trying to "guard" too much stuff alone. if you can't be in control
of all that you are guarding, you are guarding too much and inviting
others to assist you.
Aug 30th 2004, 7:37 am
#59
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Padraig Breathnach wrote:
>>You can be aware of a potential threat,
>>but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
>>checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
>
> If you are alert, you'll have a pretty good idea of where the
> vulnerabilities are. For example, if you have a bag on the seat beside
> you, and your wallet is in your pocket, you don't check the wallet;
> you check the bag.
I travel with both a "carry-on" bag and a purse. The purse has a steel
cable in the strap, I wear it across my body not just over my shoulder,
with the closed zippers all toward the front of the bag, and sometimes
with all the zipper pulls fastened together with a built in clip
supplied for the purpose. (That makes it a bit of a hassle to open when
I want to, but in really high-risk areas, I have the option.) My
carry-on, when seated in a terminal, is on the floor between my feet.
(Of course, I take it with me, when visiting terminal shops or the toilets.)
I'm not saying a thief couldn't steal either or both, but why bother,
when there are other, less difficult, "marks"?
>>You can be aware of a potential threat,
>>but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
>>checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
>
> If you are alert, you'll have a pretty good idea of where the
> vulnerabilities are. For example, if you have a bag on the seat beside
> you, and your wallet is in your pocket, you don't check the wallet;
> you check the bag.
I travel with both a "carry-on" bag and a purse. The purse has a steel
cable in the strap, I wear it across my body not just over my shoulder,
with the closed zippers all toward the front of the bag, and sometimes
with all the zipper pulls fastened together with a built in clip
supplied for the purpose. (That makes it a bit of a hassle to open when
I want to, but in really high-risk areas, I have the option.) My
carry-on, when seated in a terminal, is on the floor between my feet.
(Of course, I take it with me, when visiting terminal shops or the toilets.)
I'm not saying a thief couldn't steal either or both, but why bother,
when there are other, less difficult, "marks"?
Aug 30th 2004, 8:18 am
#60
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque) wrote:
>
>
> Padraig Breathnach wrote:
>
>
>>> You can be aware of a potential threat,
>>> but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
>>> checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
>> If you are alert, you'll have a pretty good idea of where the
>> vulnerabilities are. For example, if you have a bag on the seat beside
>> you, and your wallet is in your pocket, you don't check the wallet;
>> you check the bag.
>
>
> I travel with both a "carry-on" bag and a purse. The purse has a steel
> cable in the strap, I wear it across my body not just over my shoulder,
> with the closed zippers all toward the front of the bag, and sometimes
> with all the zipper pulls fastened together with a built in clip
> supplied for the purpose. (That makes it a bit of a hassle to open when
> I want to, but in really high-risk areas, I have the option.) My
> carry-on, when seated in a terminal, is on the floor between my feet.
> (Of course, I take it with me, when visiting terminal shops or the
> toilets.)
>
> I'm not saying a thief couldn't steal either or both, but why bother,
> when there are other, less difficult, "marks"?
>
exactly -- just as it isn't difficult to break into a locked house --
but why bother when there are so many easy to open with a credit card or
left unlocked
I always put the strap of my bag over my knee when eating in a
restaurant -- so that a purse thief cannot easily take it from the back
of the chair or the floor --same principle
>
>
> Padraig Breathnach wrote:
>
>
>>> You can be aware of a potential threat,
>>> but be unaware of the specific nature there of. While you're
>>> checking your wallet, they're taking your bag.
>> If you are alert, you'll have a pretty good idea of where the
>> vulnerabilities are. For example, if you have a bag on the seat beside
>> you, and your wallet is in your pocket, you don't check the wallet;
>> you check the bag.
>
>
> I travel with both a "carry-on" bag and a purse. The purse has a steel
> cable in the strap, I wear it across my body not just over my shoulder,
> with the closed zippers all toward the front of the bag, and sometimes
> with all the zipper pulls fastened together with a built in clip
> supplied for the purpose. (That makes it a bit of a hassle to open when
> I want to, but in really high-risk areas, I have the option.) My
> carry-on, when seated in a terminal, is on the floor between my feet.
> (Of course, I take it with me, when visiting terminal shops or the
> toilets.)
>
> I'm not saying a thief couldn't steal either or both, but why bother,
> when there are other, less difficult, "marks"?
>
exactly -- just as it isn't difficult to break into a locked house --
but why bother when there are so many easy to open with a credit card or
left unlocked
I always put the strap of my bag over my knee when eating in a
restaurant -- so that a purse thief cannot easily take it from the back
of the chair or the floor --same principle
