The Gift of Fear

I took this photo yesterday in the Baltimore Airport. It’s the inside of the stall of the ladies room. Hold on Nellie…I have a point.

Years ago, I was watching the Oprah Show and I saw an security and safety expert. He said that thieves can steal a woman’s purse if she hangs it up on the hook of the door in the ladies room. You are sitting down doing your thing when…bam…the next thing you know someone reaches over the door and grabs your purse. You of course can’t do anything about it since you are in a state of undress.

So I never hang my purse on the hook except if the hook is away from the door or lower on the door. It’s just me.

That’s my laptop bag by the way.

So on the trip down here to Florida, I sat next to a gentleman who wanted to engage me in conversation. I normally comply but this person gave me the heebeejeebees. He may be a nice guy in “real” life, but I was very uncomfortable. My answers were short and tried to not encourage him but he just kept trying to speak to me so I finally crossed my arms, leaned over toward the girl’s seat and closed my eyes. He took the hint.

It reminds me of a book that read years ago called the Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker.

In it, Mr. DeBecker says to always trust your instincts…he says most women try to be nice and not hurt people’s feelings so they ignore their instincts in order not to appear rude.

I always think of that now…especially in situations like this.

You should read it. I’m in Florida or I would take a photo of my own copy of  the book. It’s tattered and well read.

Oh and welcome to Tampa.

I’m waiting for my plane to go home as we speak.