Video: Caught on tape, but I was only trying to help!
I honestly didn’t mean any harm…in the beginning.
On Friday, I was on my way home, walking through the Zurich main train station and minding my own business when the guy you’ll see in the video walked up to me and asked, “Do you speak English?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Great. We need your help. We’re students and we’re here in Zurich and we don’t have that much money. The hostels are too expensive. We’re trying to find a place to stay or someone we can stay with. I was wondering if…”
Now, this is when I went into ‘Well, I don’t have any money but I can help this guy get his plea out’ mode and pulled out my Flip. I thought perhaps I could upload the video, get his email and have folks contact him to help out.
Then he started acting stank, as you’ll see in the video. Now, I’m not one to pass judgment. Maybe he just didn’t want to be on camera. But, something was really “suspect” about the way he started tripping; especially when he grabbed my hand and started squeezing it really hard as he tried to pull my camera away. That snatch you see is when I yanked back…but not without digging my nails in first.
In any case, this is just my opinion, but if you encounter this guy or guys with the same line, walk away…
…cuz something in the milk ain’t clean.
Cross posted at rashundatramble.com.
That is way bizarre! I would be very careful around stank people here in the world. You are blessed he did not grab your bag or camera or run. Glad you got him on camera!!
Comment by Jennifer — May 11, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
In this day and age, you have to be prepared to be put on video whenever, where ever you are - with or without your consent. We live in a YouTube world. Good for you to “Flip the requester a video” vs the bird. If there was a true, altruistic need there, he’d have genuinely appreciated your help.
Comment by Zena Weist — May 11, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
He’s a good enough criminal that he knows not to ask for money on camera. He probably thought you would give the video to the police. I NEVER even entertain people with such stories because I hear them all the time in DC. Tourists seem to be the target for these stories. (Does that mean I look like a tourist?)
Comment by Kenya — May 11, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
@Kenya - > I think he thought I was a tourist.
@Zena - > Well, hopefully folks won’t fall for his ish. I truly believe something was suspect.
Comment by RT — May 11, 2008 @ 5:58 pm