Am I the only one who thinks it’s really kind of stupid to hold onto your phone and laptop in the face of a gun?
There is no phone, laptop, car, house, etc that is worth me going out like that.
Personally, I think it’s great that this young lady is unharmed, and that the criminal was apprehended.
However, I do NOT think she was “brave” or “courageous” as I have heard some people in the media refer to her. I think she was “foolish” and “very fortunate.”
But maybe I’m just all hormonal from pregnancy and I’m thinking life is far more precious than material belongings. Crazy me! Or maybe I’m not only a lazy douche but also a total wuss-bag pussy-baby and the idea of a gun pointed at me just makes me weak and wimpy. “Give me your phone and your laptop!” “Okay, would you like my car, too? Please don’t hurt me!”
Do you think it’s better to hand over your crap so you won’t get hurt… or do you think the criminal is more likely to kill you once they’ve got your stuff so you can’t ID them?
What do you think you would you have done?
#1 by Stephanie on November 13, 2008 - 1:32 AM
I used to work in a jewelry store, and policy was to hand it over because you’re less likely to get hurt. Did get robbed, we let them take what they want and they left. Slightly different situation than having your personal stuff taken, but most of the time when they’re going to rob you they aren’t out to kill as well.
Stephanies last blog post..When to Get a Pet
#2 by the planet of janet on November 13, 2008 - 1:37 AM
i would TOTALLY hand over everything i had.
and possibly things i didn’t have as well!
the planet of janets last blog post..Can you hear me now?
#3 by Adrienne on November 13, 2008 - 1:40 AM
I would hand over the Phone, the Laptop, and I would offer to give him a blow job.
Adriennes last blog post..8 Places to Live
#4 by Keely on November 13, 2008 - 1:41 AM
There was a time when I think I would have liked to think I’d fight for what is mine. But that was before I was in a happy relationship and had a daughter to think of. My responsibility is to them and making sure they are safe and taken care of. However – my pregnancy hormones sometimes turn me into the Hulk so, who knows?!
Keelys last blog post..Whiiiinez
#5 by KAT on November 13, 2008 - 1:53 AM
Best advice I’ve heard lately, from a self-defense specialist type guy who teaches a Jujitsu class my friend is in and was at her party, yeah, TMI, anyway…
He said, toss what they want towards them and run like hell while they scramble for it.
Sounds good to me.
Would I risk death for a laptop and a phone?
HELL NO.
KATs last blog post..Swap O Rama
#6 by Devilish Southern Belle on November 13, 2008 - 2:04 AM
You bring up good points about the thief killing you once you hand over your stuff….but I think I’d take a chance & hand it over anyway. I wouldn’t want to agitate the criminal!
#7 by Veronica on November 13, 2008 - 2:34 AM
I would hand it over too. Although I have heard the same thing Kat has, throw it towards them and then bolt while they grab it. Generally the wallet etc is more important to them than shooting you.
Veronicas last blog post..Not Nesting
#8 by MamaWise on November 13, 2008 - 3:55 AM
The situation is much more different once you have children of your own. I remember being 20, single, childless, and in college – for the most part I felt invincible and i was accountable for only myself… not sure what I would have done back then, but today I would certainly give up the goods. You can replace a phone and a laptop, but you cannot replace your life.
MamaWises last blog post..One day they’ll hate me for this…
#9 by dysfunctional mom on November 13, 2008 - 4:01 AM
I would give up my shit AND ask him if he wanted me to gift wrap it for him.
Seriously, material things are SO not worth risking getting killed or even injured.
I think she’s dumb.
dysfunctional moms last blog post..Awesome Giveaway for Toys for Tots
#10 by Rebecca on November 13, 2008 - 6:24 AM
I would give up my stuff… no doubt.
Rebeccas last blog post..Um…
#11 by Secret Agent Mama on November 13, 2008 - 6:41 AM
I’d have done something different, but that wasn’t me in this situation.
But, yes, you should just throw your stuff and pedal to the metal.
Secret Agent Mamas last blog post..l o v e t h u r s d a y
#12 by witchypoo on November 13, 2008 - 7:16 AM
Actually, the prevailing wisdom is throw the stuff away from you both, assailant going to fetch it gives you better getaway opportunity.
witchypoos last blog post..Mining the Search Strings
#13 by lceel on November 13, 2008 - 7:42 AM
That ‘toss the stuff and run like hell’ thing that KAT mentioned is a good idea. And it’s what I would do. That said, whoever would do such a thing to me had better be real good at looking over his shoulder, because I’ll be looking for him and I’ll be prepared, when I find him.
lceels last blog post..Thursday Random stuff
#14 by Suzanne on November 13, 2008 - 8:21 AM
Those things are replaceable, I’m not-they can have them.
Suzannes last blog post..What’s For Dinner Wednesday
#15 by Avitable on November 13, 2008 - 8:58 AM
I don’t know. My iPhone is pretty precious to me.
Avitables last blog post..Seeing myself through your eyes.
#16 by Anna Ellis on November 13, 2008 - 9:00 AM
Wow, Hm… it’s only a laptop and phone? She can get another one. However, if she would have been shot instead of the purse… She could have had permenent damage to her body or she would have died. I mean, give me a break. It’s material shit.
#17 by Anna Ellis on November 13, 2008 - 9:02 AM
oh i have a better idea. Since he tried to take her life, I would not feel bad for taking his. So I would hand it over and as he was running away, duck down (to avoid getting shot, but still able to see where you’re going) and run over his funky ass.
#18 by Ryan on November 13, 2008 - 9:06 AM
My entire life is on my laptop. Everything I have ever written, every photograph, my job, everything. And that is why I am diligent about keeping everything backed up safely on a external hard drive that stays at home.
I would think that there was a good 50/50 that no matter what I did I would get hurt. There are so many senseless shootings in the news that I am starting to believe these days ANY criminal that points a gun at me intends to shoot me. People are more desperate these days and way less desensitized to violence.
With that said I would do everything in my power to get away. Including giving the A-hole what they want. Here in Orlando I have had a few friends get mugged. Give up what the thief wanted and ran, and then were chased down and beat even after they gave up what they wanted. Another friend was sliced with a knife across the face after almost being hit by a drunk driver in the parking lot. Things are not okay these days.
Ryans last blog post..Dear Foxbury
#19 by Angela on November 13, 2008 - 9:18 AM
I don’t think I’d hand it over either though.
Not because I’m brave or courageous. But because I’d be frikkin’ paralyzed in fear.
Angelas last blog post..Suck It Up
#20 by Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] on November 13, 2008 - 9:36 AM
I will give up my husband before I give up my computer, so I’m not sure what I’d do.
Really tho, I’d hand it all over while crapping my pants.
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]s last blog post..I’ll Never Be a Model
#21 by Stacey on November 13, 2008 - 9:56 AM
I’d probably go with the toss and run in a similar situation.
Staceys last blog post..Coming Down with Something
#22 by Allie on November 13, 2008 - 10:15 AM
I would give my stuff up but fight if they tried to take me anywhere. You know what Oprah says, the “second location” is usually where you get whacked…
#23 by Angie on November 13, 2008 - 10:15 AM
Heck yea, I would have fought back! Of course, I do have an advanced blue belt in mixed martial arts. So, I can pretty much take care of myself.
#24 by connie on November 13, 2008 - 10:24 AM
NO question~I would’ve given them anything they wanted. NO material item is worth my life & leaving my children mother-less!
connies last blog post..Weekly Winners=November 2-8 2008
#25 by Shannon on November 13, 2008 - 10:24 AM
I’d totally be handing it over. It may be gutsy to take on a criminal but it’s not smart. It doesn’t matter that you were right if you’re dead. I’d rather be a live “wuss-bag-pussy-baby” than a dead chick with balls.
#26 by Ashley @ mrs007.net on November 13, 2008 - 10:36 AM
Ok….I would have handed all of my crap over to the idiot with the gun.
Maybe she was just protecting her Dolce and Gabbana wallet. I would rather be alive and purseless then chic and dead. Just sayin’
Ashley @ mrs007.nets last blog post..Lip gloss in the dog’s butt
#27 by Ashley @ mrs007.net on November 13, 2008 - 10:37 AM
Ok I totally didn’t read Shannon’s comment before I wrote mine. Great minds….
Ashley @ mrs007.nets last blog post..Lip gloss in the dog’s butt
#28 by Heather, Queen of Shake Shake on November 13, 2008 - 10:54 AM
I love my Precious, but I love myself even more. I’m heavily self-involved like that.
Heather, Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..Things I hate about the blogosphere
#29 by Lisa on November 13, 2008 - 10:58 AM
He would of had my stuff faster than I could of handed it to him. I have kids to watch graduate, get married, grandchildren to meet…there is no way in hell that I would of fought that guy.
Call me egotistical but I would of been thinking about me…all me! She’s lucky to be alive but a dumb ass for doing it. Sorry.
Lisas last blog post..Weekly Winners
#30 by orlund on November 13, 2008 - 11:02 AM
I am with you on that, besides I have a cheap laptop and cellphone. It would be a perfect excuse to by new ones. I would even offer to drive home and get him a few other things.
#31 by Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas on November 13, 2008 - 11:09 AM
My daughter goes to the college where this happened, and her boyfriend knows this girl.
Sugarplum told me that when the guy walked up grabbing at her phone, she was caught off guard and confused, and was like “What the hell – let go?!?” and didn’t really stop and think it was an actual robbery. I can sort of see this (if it’s true).
I bought Sugarplum Dolce and Gabanna sunglasses for her birthday this year, and she was like HA! the Dolce sunglass case saved Elizabeth! As if somehow they are justified in charging bajillions of dollars for sunglasses now.
Teenagers. Gah.
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritass last blog post..Willpower, Starbucks, and Me
#32 by jeri lynne on November 13, 2008 - 11:35 AM
GIVE THEM THE STUFF!!!
My life sux right now but it’s worth hanging on to!
#33 by Donna on November 13, 2008 - 11:36 AM
I think I’d likely be confused and argue with him… just because that is what I tend to do when frightened and confused. I’m not stupid, though and I’d like to think, that I’d just give them what they want… that is what insurance is for, right?
Donnas last blog post..Day 13: Thursday Thirteen #20
#34 by jill on November 13, 2008 - 11:59 AM
she’s a moron. for one thing she got OUT of the vehicle? good lord. anyway… she might as well have put the damn thing in gear, ducked and floored it. self defense. maybe that’s just me, in my overprotective of a newborn self right now.
jills last blog post..Moving with an infant
#35 by Honeybell on November 13, 2008 - 12:19 PM
I would not only give up the laptop and phone, but I’d also offer my checkbook, cash and credit cards. Because dude, I have kids at home.
#36 by Hockeyman on November 13, 2008 - 12:20 PM
Well, since I am a ninja, I would just reverse the roles and get his own gun pointed at him before he knew what was happening. It’s how I roll.
#37 by dcokequeen on November 13, 2008 - 12:34 PM
Well, I used to think I would be brave and tell the person exactly where they could go. Having worked in a bank and personally been held up, I now have the priviledge of knowing exactly what I would do even if it is against bank policy: I started rooting around for as much money as I could possibly find to get the guy to go away as fast as possible. I emptied out as much money as I had in my drawer and kindly asked if he would like to take a trip to the vault to get some more. (Obviously not the correct answer according to the bank, but whatever!) Thankfully he left without incident and no one was harmed. It was very scary and I really didn’t know what I would do until it happened.
dcokequeens last blog post..Thought for the day
#38 by Michelle on November 13, 2008 - 12:58 PM
Dumbass. The only thing worth fighting an armed man for would be my child.
Michelles last blog post..Why on-line shopping rules
#39 by MP on November 13, 2008 - 1:38 PM
I hope I don’t ever need to know. I would think though that I would hand it all over.
MPs last blog post..So I say it’s my birthday…
#40 by Kim on November 13, 2008 - 1:50 PM
Hand it right over.. not worth my life. heck no.
Kims last blog post..The post I said I would not do, but did anyway
#41 by NGS on November 13, 2008 - 2:28 PM
I’d hand over anything short of my husband or dream dog.
NGSs last blog post..45 x 365 #17
#42 by Gina on November 13, 2008 - 3:03 PM
I would have handed them over instantly. And probably offered up my sad collection of jewelry, too. I can get a new laptop (eventually), but my kids can’t get a new mom.
Ginas last blog post..W
#43 by Maggie on November 13, 2008 - 3:26 PM
I would probably cover my eyes with my hands, curl into fetal position and tell them to take what they want. But that’s just me. No, I also don’t believe in playing hardball with criminals. I sincerely hope I never get the opportunity, either way.
Maggies last blog post..It occurred to me…
#44 by Rachael on November 13, 2008 - 3:31 PM
I totally agree. If someone tries to rob me, I’m handing it over. Like Gina said, it’s replaceable, but we aren’t.
Rachaels last blog post..Petite Update: Bankruptcy & MRIs
#45 by Maria on November 13, 2008 - 3:53 PM
I agree with you.
I don’t know exactly how I would have responded, but I probably would have given it to him, and I do know that I think she’s a nut.
Marias last blog post..Catechization: Lying
#46 by Corina - Down to Earth Mama on November 13, 2008 - 3:53 PM
Yeah, I would throw the stuff away from myself and run away. At least that is what logic tells me to do….
But you are also talking to a woman who ran towards a gang fight where bats (and supposedly a gun was flashed) in order to get K-8rd graders away from the situation…… while I was 7 months pregnant….. But I guess that is a different situation, since other kids were involved. Never for stuff….. only for people…..
Corina – Down to Earth Mamas last blog post..Top 5 Strange Questions or Answers I got as a Science Teacher
#47 by Kim H. on November 13, 2008 - 4:24 PM
I’m sorry – she’s a dumbass! Definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed – and thank God she had that D & G wallet to absorb the blow of the bullet. Oiy vey!
Kim H.s last blog post..My poor child really isn’t this pathetic….
#48 by Kaylynn on November 13, 2008 - 5:01 PM
Of course I’d hand it over! Computers can be replaced; vital organs are a tad bit harder to come by.
And as far as giving it to them vs. not based on them killing you, I would take my chance and hope that they’d let me go. If I refuse they can still just take it off my dead body.
Kaylynns last blog post..It Happened One Night: Clark Gable Was The Shiz.
#49 by anna on November 13, 2008 - 5:02 PM
Hand over the stuff, definitely.
annas last blog post..Breakfast at the Getty Museum Sucks. But Lunch is Pretty Good. By Mini Right-Click.
#50 by Carol Anne on November 13, 2008 - 5:50 PM
You know I want to tell you that I’d give it over and run for my life, but I just can’t abide by a thief. If you asked I’d likely give you whatever you needed. Just don’t take it from me.
I wanna tell you I’m smart enough to do the right thing, but I think I wouldn’t give my stuff up without a fight.
My grandmother was robbed when she was 70 and she held on to her purse so hard they had to rip it from her hands. She still had the handles when they made their way off with the rest of the bag.
I just don’t know if I could let some punk make off with my stuff when he didn’t work for it like I did.
Carol Annes last blog post..A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step and Some Advice for the McCain Camp
#51 by Veronica on November 13, 2008 - 5:50 PM
I tagged you for a meme too, it’s not a hard one.
(And you know I don’t do meme’s anymore, so it is definitely a good one.)
#52 by Just Jinny on November 13, 2008 - 6:07 PM
I say throw the laptop and purse in one direction and run like niagra falls in the other.
Just Jinnys last blog post..Little Miss Scatterbrained
#53 by Vicky (Secret Mom Thoughts) on November 13, 2008 - 6:30 PM
I agree with Just Jinny, throw the laptop and purse and run.
Vicky (Secret Mom Thoughts)s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
#54 by Mrs. F on November 13, 2008 - 7:57 PM
Whu? Oh hell to the NO! You want my purse and you have a gun. That shiz is insured. You can have it! SRSLY!
#55 by Patsy Bain on November 13, 2008 - 10:30 PM
I already know my gut instict is to flee. You know that fight or flight thing. I was shall we say challenged once in my younger days when in a bar (yea, I’m classy like that) and well, I didn’t hang around to find out the outcome. I’m pretty sure I would hand it all over, while at the same time asking why, and who are you. I have that in repertoire also.
Patsy Bains last blog post..Day 13 Thursday Thirteen #17 I Read It in the Paper
#56 by Stassja on November 13, 2008 - 11:50 PM
Yeah, they might kill you once you give your stuff up, but if you try to fight them off and agitate the person holding the effing gun, I think they’re gonna be alot more likely to shoot you! As a PP said, I’d be handing over the laptop, phone, keys to my car, and a blow job. Lol. Not worth my life!
Stassjas last blog post..Milestone!
#57 by Cri on November 14, 2008 - 3:42 AM
bashed his face in with my laptop, and taken his picture with the camera on my phone.
you could say, i may be a tad feisty. with a little bad-ass thrown in.
#58 by matt on November 14, 2008 - 7:42 AM
How about a little testosterone in this discussion?
Maybe I’m one of dem der bitter clingers, with my guns and religion, but unless your packin’ it’s not smart do what this woman did. The statistics are definitely not on your side.
matts last blog post..Should Schools Pick up the Pace in the Classroom?
#59 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on November 14, 2008 - 11:03 AM
MamaWise,
I think being a mom definitely gives you a different perspective. I was more likely to do ALL sorts of stupid things when I was younger!
Not sure about this one, though! Then again, I didn’t have a cell phone or laptop at that age, anways. Heh.
Lotus:)
#60 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on November 14, 2008 - 1:50 PM
Secret Agent Mama,
I get that it’s not me in that situation, so I don’t know what I really would have done, but I think ti’s foolish for it to be broadcast all over that her actions are “brave,” as if that’s what we should all TRY to do. Just kept really irritating me the way they seemed to be celebrating her behavior instead of pointing out how FORTUNATE she just happened to be in the face of her choices.
Lotus:)
#61 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on November 14, 2008 - 1:52 PM
Avitable,
Dude, your IPhone would totally give you up in the face of a gun. Don’t let it play you like that!
Lotus:)
#62 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on November 14, 2008 - 2:09 PM
Allie,
That makes absolute sense to me.
Lotus:)
#63 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on November 14, 2008 - 2:18 PM
Amy,
Yeah, but she told the media he asked her for the phone and then added that he wanted the laptop… ? I dunno. I know you never can tell what you will do in a crazy situation, but I just wish the media would have made more of an effort to point out how fortunate she was and that most of the time it’s better to just throw your stuff and get away. She was sitting in a truck, for pete’s sake!
And LOL @ Sugarplum for totally trying to justify the worth of the sunglasses, but totally ignoring the dork equipment (calculator) that also saved her life! Selective, there! Haha….
Lotus:)
#64 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on November 14, 2008 - 2:20 PM
Jill,
I was thinking I’d have given him the crap and gotten the hell out of there in my big-ass truck.
I guess you never know, but yeah.
Lotus:)
#65 by Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus on November 14, 2008 - 2:22 PM
Hockeyman,
Good thing you have such skills, as it looks like your wife is ready to hand you over to the gunman (while crapping her pants, it seems).
Lotus:)
#66 by CrunchyChristianMama on November 14, 2008 - 3:46 PM
My laptop has lojack and my phone only works half the time. They can take them, my empty purse, my money pit car, and my worn out tennis shoes for all I care. Leave me in one piece. I’ll even show you how fast a tired old mommy can run.
CrunchyChristianMamas last blog post..Friday Fantasy
#67 by Colleen - Mommy Always Wins on November 14, 2008 - 4:06 PM
If some dude flashed a gun at me and said give me your purse, I’d throw it at him and run the other way.
I think she was stupid, too – you can always get another laptop, but you’ll never get another life.
Colleen – Mommy Always Winss last blog post..Welcome, terrible twos. Now GO AWAY.
#68 by Talina on November 14, 2008 - 4:33 PM
I am totally hormonal right now thanks to pregnancy and I guess it all depends on how my day was and what mood I was in.
I am the kind of girl who will fight a huge football player in a bar just because he shoved me… My anger does get the best of me so if I was mad I would have probably knocked some teeth out with my giant purse or something.
It all just depends on my mood I guess.
Talinas last blog post..Stale cigarette lady has been here, again.
#69 by stephanie on November 14, 2008 - 6:35 PM
Give him the stuff! Odds are he’s a druggie that just wants cash and doesn’t want to get involved with killing someone. He probably knows there’s more prison time if he kills you and gets caught (there could be other witnesses) than if he just takes your stuff.
Also? Backup your photos, etc. somewhere that’s not on your laptop, so you don’t have any split-second reservations “gee, all my baby’s pictures are on there…” (There’s other reasons to back stuff up, of course, but add not-hesitating-when-faced-with-a-life-or-laptop-decision to your list.)
#70 by stephanie on November 14, 2008 - 6:37 PM
Why do I always write such long comments on your blog?? Seriously. Sorry, Lotus. I guess you just inspire me…
#71 by Elaine on November 16, 2008 - 12:50 AM
I think she’s right in saying in the video that you don’t REALLY know what you’d do until faced with such a situation. I can’t say that I know what’d I do and I hope to never have to find out!
Elaines last blog post..Where In the World is Little G?
#72 by Kate on November 16, 2008 - 11:30 PM
Yeah, that’s why God invented insurance. For when your stuff gets lost or stolen. Sheesh.
Kates last blog post..The Other Sister
#73 by Carole on November 18, 2008 - 4:34 PM
First, I don’t have a laptop or a cellphone. I refuse to be tech tied 24×7.
I’d like to say I’d be smart, but I’m guessing I’d be more like Cri. I’d wack him upside the head with that big ol purse, and give a swift kick where the sun don’t shine, and a nice double fist uppercut as be bent down in pain. If he wasn’t unconcious yet, I’d have to give him a swift kick in the head.
Don’t mess with this mom.