11 Comments
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Leah Eichler's avatar

I really enjoyed this story, not only because I can relate to the absurdity (re:death wish) of tracking down a phone because I am the kind of person that picks fights with strangers if I think they didn't pick up their dog poop. But also, the humanity of the experiences that you encountered. It takes a special person to be open to strangers and their experiences like that. Bravo

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Liz Hodgson's avatar

I admire this. I’m always too chicken to say anything.

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Gina Burton's avatar

You met a lovely Syrian man. I’d say you came out on top!

Sorry about the phone but, most importantly, you’re safe.

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Pieter de Bruin's avatar

You’ll never adapt to the android. Suck it up and buy a new iPhone.

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Pam Wilkinson's avatar

What a drag! You are much braver than moi.

The theft itself is pretty bloody off the charts movie stuff.

As is your courageous ( possibly unwise) attempt at recovering the phone.

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Vian's avatar

He is likely an alcoholic. He will be out hunting for the next thing he can cop. He will sell it for beer money. The guy who bought it, buys a few at a time then ships them to a cousin who will sell them on an even-split basis to earn money to get he and his family to the UK. Sometime later, that guy will meet a young (!) woman who is trying to track a phone that was pulled out of her purse and he will invite her home for tea and oranges that came all the way from...

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Tony Nester's avatar

The UK is broken in so many ways,looking on the bright side helps your reconcile the fact that you’ve been robbed and maybe you say “ oh well life goes on “ but it’s deflection. I’ve been burgled twice , had 2 cars stolen and I think our institutions of law and order need reforming .Put simply, a kick up the arse.You can be stoic and philosophical about almost anything , but there is a time where you need to have standards rules and boundaries for the good of everyone .

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Liz Hodgson's avatar

Of all the things you’ve suffered in the past year, an Android phone has got to be the absolute worst! 😂 😂 😂

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MR ROBERT THOMPSON's avatar

Beauty story Ms.McL.. A great example of making lemonade while perspiring (or some such idiom). There you were playing Enola Holmes while I (reading your tale rapidly) was freaking out! I see this as a chapter in your next book.

If I might presume, I think I could write a dandy Forward. Let's title it:

From An Unmet Gent

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Patricia  Finlay's avatar

I am awed by your persistence and hutzpah in hunting down your phone. But your story (sadly) reinforced a behaviour I've adopted when walking in any big city: leave my airpods in their case and my phone deep in my purse. I feel more alert with my ears fully attuned to the city noisescape, although that may be a false sense of security.

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Stephanie Marshall's avatar

Wonderful. Thank you.

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