Leaving personal belongings in a public place...?

Question

I have noticed a lot of white Americans keep their personal stuff (like backpacks or computer) in a public place like restaurant, cafe or bench on the sidewalk & then when they want to go to another place for a small work, they just leave their personal stuff in that place without any fear or informing someone to look ater their stuff. I've noticed even Europeans (like Germans, British & Scandinavian people) do the same.

However when I did the same in a cafe run by Chinese people (here in the US, of course), then when I returned back the waiter screamed at me and blamed me for being very careless person to leave my stuff there!!!

I mean I have always been very careful with my stuff & carry them with me at all times, only after seeing my American friends do that way - that I thought it wouldn't be a problem for me to do the same.

In this case, who are correct - the Chinese or the white people?

Answer 1

i agree with the first person. you shouldn't leave your valuables behind. Even at my school, i've heard of people leaving stuff around. the only bad thing is that it was stolen. Don't let someone else be in charge or you belongings, unless you are going to the bathroom or getting something. i would never leave my stuff behind, even if everyone else was doing it.

Answer 2

I agree that one should NOT leave personal belongings alone in a public place. To do that would be asking for 'trouble.'

There may be some places where it is perfectly acceptable and safe to do so. However, in my opinion, leaving the stuff alone is just begging for someone to take it.

Also, at least in the U.S., any bags (like ruck sacks or backpacks) that are left unattended will be a reason to call the authorities. The fear of bombs and other threats have made people very suspicious and cautious.

If one wants his/her stuff to stay safe --- keep it with you, or leave it with a trusted friend or colleague.

Answer 3

I agree with JFL. I am an American and I personally do not leave my personal belongings anywhere. I can understand the frustration of people leaving their belongings laying around. I don't think it is okay, it only creates problems. If somebody trips over that bag that you left the restaurant gets in trouble for it, so I can see their point in being mad. Besides that their business is not a storage place so you can go run other errands. If they really wanted to be mean they could just throw your stuff out on the street. You should be thankful that they didn't.

Answer 4

Curious as how you've broken this down by race. I would have broken it down by careful and careless. Leaving your personal belongings in public is dangerous. One, because you are asking for them to be stolen. Two, because with the constant threat or perceived threat of terrorism, unguarded personal items could be bombs. Police and anti-terrorist units have been called when a perfectly innocuous backpack or briefcase as left behind, because items like these have been used by terrorist to cause a lot of damage and injury.
The cafe owner, regardless of his national origin, has probably been subject to some careless person leaving his things behind, then getting blamed when they were not there when the person returned. So he didn't want to go through all that again, and yelled at you.
So if you want to keep your stuff, no, don't leave it behind. Regardless of your race.

Answer 5

This is not a cultural question. It's a safety question. If I were in a public place where I did not think my stuff would be safe, I would not leave my things there. It would depend not only on the atmosphere of the place but also what I had in my backpack.

Answer 6

IMHO, I NEVER leave my personal belongings alone in a public place. I always keep them on or near me. Since you never know and really can't trust anyone, it's the best policy. There's one word I use to describe people that do leave their belongings unattended: careless. I would side with the Asian people BTW.

Answer 7

In this age of terrorism, it's not advisable to leave bags unattended. They could be taken for bombs. So the Chinese are correct.

Answer 8

Maybe he needn't have screamed, but the Chinese was right. You can't believe that everyone around you is morally pure. There is too much crime around to do that, so just take your stuff with you, - what other people do is up to them.

Answer 9

Neither is right or wrong.

I worked hard to get the things I have and would never leave them unattended in a public place.

Why take the chance?

Answer 10

The Chinese. Most people are to trusting and no matter who you are you can be a victim of theft. You just can't be to careful.