I do not know his citizenship status, his employment status, his family status, or his religious/political bent. He speaks pretty good English, albeit heavily-accented, and seems pleasant as well as "Americanized". It's hard to believe that he could ever be a terrorist or be hostile toward anybody. And it would never have occurred to me to be concerned except for his ethnicity, coupled with this one unusual fact: Over the past year he has shopped at my store once or twice every week and his money always smells strange. It is a combination of mildew and mothballs and it is only on his money, as far as I can tell. Not on his clothes, and not on his person. Other than the smell, his money is unremarkable--circulated bills of various denominations and degrees of wear and tear.
So, what do you think? Is this suspicious? Should I report it? To whom?
2007-02-07 02:42:50 · 8 answers · asked by ? 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Not at all. If his wallet's leather, that would explain the smell. Some types of leather are stored with mothballs, and the leather may be new. I do a lot of leather crafts, and large pieces are always shipped with a mothball inside the bag.
2007-02-07 02:47:17 · answer #1 · answered by Danagasta 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Would you be suspicious of him as a terrorist if he had an American accent and/or was white? If yes, then go ahead and report (though you will certainly be laughed at for reporting someone purely for having mildewed dollars).
I will almost guarantee that the reason his money smells like that is because many, many immigrants from all over the world don't trust banks, usually do to corruption or other problems with the banks at home that they grew up with, and therefore store the money hidden at home, like in a lockbox under the floor or under a mattress, a drawer in a chest or dresser, buried outside (with mothballs to prevent deterioration) etc., where the money may pick up such odors. This is quite common.
Keep in mind that it was white american born citizens who were the Oklahoma City terrorists ;)
2007-02-07 10:51:12 · answer #2 · answered by Learning Conformity 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe he kept his money in a place where it got damp and he put camphor on it to get rid of the damp smell. Moth balls are made of camphor, Middle Eastern and Indian use camphor for a variety of puposes--for the smell (like insense), for medical purposes, religious ceremonies, and sometimes it's even used as a food flavoring. Americans use camphor in over the counter medicine to treat insect bites. My wife's family is from India, and I've seen some Indian people who take out big wads of cash; this guy might be from India. I used camphor once to take the smell out of my shoes--it worked. It's probably not a big deal. I'd be more concerned if he was seen hoarding weapons or something. He's probably an okay guy.
2007-02-07 11:06:05 · answer #3 · answered by majnun99 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Middle Eastern people are great people. Peaceful and loving human beings. However, since you say that the money he is bringing to you have a "strange smell", it could be an indication that it may be worth investigating the source of the money, which obviously does NOT mean that he is the one that should be investigated.
The next time he stops by your store, treat him as you would normally treat anyone. But discreetely put aside the money he gives you, and if you own the store, call the FBI and give them the money to examine it in their Crime Lab.
The guy may be a hard working person -as most middle easterns- and the smelly money could be because of his place of work. Better to be safe than sorry. That's a lesson we seem to have not learned yet about 9/11.
2007-02-07 11:01:48 · answer #4 · answered by David G 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
me,
I would think WHAT he buys would be more telling than strange-smelling currency.
Now, say you work in a farm supply/feed store...and this dude buys tons of nitrogen-rich fertilizer...and you know for a fact he ain't farming...that would be worthy of consideration.
As things are now, he's done nothing to merit reporting, so far as I can see...
2007-02-07 10:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by Wolfsburgh 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it sounds like he's eccentric, not suspicious. You, on the other hand sound like you're predjudiced and have too much time on your hands.
2007-02-07 10:55:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
no way, there are illions of persians and arabs, along with many more people that look like them, you can't be suspicious about all of them
2007-02-07 11:02:28 · answer #7 · answered by chato_mc 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm
2007-02-07 10:49:33 · answer #8 · answered by gary d 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋