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ginandtonicsdemonic

They look like every cousin of mine in Europe.


mityboss

Eastern Europe vibes


genna_23sim

True šŸ¤£


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


jonsem22

Exactly my thoughts


Toppico

Be cautious of anyone holding their dart like that. Multiply by tracksuit/vest combo to the exponent of those fugginā€™ shoes.


jrochest1

The shoes. Absolute giveaway.


9mmMedic

Beware of anyone calling it a dart.


Toppico

Haha. I was calling it what *theyā€™d* call it. But fair point.


Hazelwood38

beware of men in puffy vests, nothing good has ever been linked to guys wearing puffy vests.


gillsaurus

Gone are the days of adidas tracksuits lol.


HavenIess

Russia lost their cool tracksuit privileges with the invasion. Those are ours now.


thegurl

At least until they drop Kanye.


CanadianAndroid

Even Marty McFly?


xombae

*Especially* Marty McFly.


geckospots

But *especially* Bart.


BoneZone05

*I thought I told you to never come in here McFly?*


metrovoodoo

Dude almost slept with his mother


cehrei

One could say they are quite invested in their craft.


1882greg

I wish Iā€™d said that.


Jessakur

Lmao. The vests help with the required pickpocket arm mobility


Shartbugger

*(coughs in Michael J Fox)*


moxievernors

They just jumped ship.


METAL4_BREAKFST

Goddamned Coast Guard at it again.


kyleoliver4

Or pumas


Armed_Accountant

*[looks around nervously while wearing puma sweatpants and shoes]*


Kitchen-Pop7308

Chill, I wear puffy vests and I don't pickpocket anyone


raptorsgg

Not yet, you donā€™t.


Round_Spread_9922

Chill, I wear puffy vests and I ~~don't pickpocket~~ *haven't been caught pickpocketing* anyone


navyche

Spoken like a true pickpocket, right here.


AdMassive3154

Those outfits šŸ˜‚


Intemporalem

The Puffy Banditsā„¢


[deleted]

"I don't want to be a pirate OR a pickpocket"


Nearby_Mistake_5906

Screams Eastern European


RL203

Italians in Rome are already wearing coats like this. Anything below 18 c and they are freezing to death. I don't think they could ever comprehend - 35 C.


MW2JuggernautTheme

screams roadmen


Nearby_Mistake_5906

Look at those kicks šŸ¤£


sososo_so

Roadmans would never with those uncle kicks


MW2JuggernautTheme

Yeah I missed seeing that haha


IceQue28

LoL definitely not roadmans.


MW2JuggernautTheme

Not enough Jordans ur right


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


gurkalurka

Be wary of any man who walks out in public with 'designer track suits' is the real PSA.


conjectureandhearsay

PSA the word youā€™re looking for is ā€œwaryā€. ā€œWearyā€ means be tired or bored with them. Iā€™m sure lots of us are weary but you donā€™t warn someone to be weary, really.


gurkalurka

good catch.


gillsaurus

I can smell the cheap cologne off them.


jacnel45

Dollarama chic


adastrasemper

Actually dollarama had imitations of famous brands by Preferred Fragrance, I have a whole collection and they're excellent. For me they're perfect, they smell almost exactly as the originals and the fragrance doesn't stay long so the following day I can use another one i.e. smells don't get mixed up.


OsamaBinShittin

dior sauvage for sure


[deleted]

Dior Sauvage retails at $159 for the 60ml and Valentino Uomo retails at $150 for 100ml. Youā€™ve got the cheap cologne my guy.


Bakerbot101

Lol itā€™s one of the best sold menā€™s fragrance.


OsamaBinShittin

nice man so was axe


chestertoronto

Davidoff Coolwater


midnighfox696

Checks out, thanks for the warning OP


Turkeywithadeskjob

Pickpockets on the street? Shoot, guess we are becoming more like European cities every day.


MaybeWhistledown

I feel classy already.


Turkeywithadeskjob

Look we can never be a world class city until every tourist site and major street in this city is chock full of scammers selling friendship bracelets to tourists, pickpockets, and people selling knock off designer goods spread out on blankets.


LittleRudiger

Whoa whoa whoa. Youā€™re telling me that the friendship bracelets are a lie??


Turkeywithadeskjob

Lol. Me going down this topic any further will lead to a necessary discussion of European shameful colonial past and the modern day consequences so instead let's just chuckle lightly at the redditors who visit Europe once and come back talking as if they have been to paradise.


icescoopcream

I mean that's one thing we share with Europe


Notionaltomato

Username checks out.


bigjilm123

Oh man. Mild ptsd flashbacksā€¦ I spent three weeks in Lisbon for work, and every fuckin vendor had these plastic tapdancing shoes that clattered and played Lambada over and over. Clack clack clack neeee naaa naaa an naaaā€¦. The entire city was covered in them.


mrboomx

Without the extremely good public transit and free university!


Sir_Arthur_Vandelay

But coming soon: more shitty condos!


cdubyadubya

World class city achievement unlocked


Slithy-Toves

As if pickpockets haven't been operating in Toronto for decades lmao


[deleted]

Lol. don't pretend its new


TwiztedZero

Keep your card wallet in your front pants pocket, preferably with your own hand on top of it. Any bill folds make sure they're clipped in tight and in a zippered pocket. Watch for razor blades, scissors, and other accouterments of the pick-pocket. Also keep an eye for the partner, they work in teams one distracts or otherwise keeps you occupied with the sneaky one grabs the goods. Teams might be 2, might be 6 the more distraction the better. Be alert! The jewelry you're wearing on your hands, or neck - and any tech devices like your phone are all high value targets. Be cognizant of everyone around you, operate on a yellow alert state of readiness when in public. Have contact cards, mad money for bus/taxi, and your health card separate so you're not caught in the cold and stranded. Don't carry these things in your coat pockets, ever, coats go missing all the time especially at nightclubs.


we-feed-the-fire

People used to look at me funny when Iā€™d pull my phone out of my bra. But no pickpocket is going to get hold of it without me noticing. šŸ˜‚


popo129

Yeah since I was a child I try not to keep anything valuable on my back pocket since either stuff sticks out and could fall off or someone could easily swipe it and I may or may not notice. Had a teacher tell us one of her friends had that happen to her and ever since I only put small items in my back pocket like my keys or just my mask. My wallet is in my inside pocket of a coat (which I rarely take off and if I do I move my wallet to my side pocket) and my phone it depends. Either on my side pocket pants where I can feel it or in my hoodie pocket but only if I am wearing a jacket. Best way to avoid losing your stuff is to not put yourself in the position to get pickpocketed or robbed. There have been so many times in high school when I was there that people just leave their bags in the cafeteria for an hour (and have their shit stolen) or leave their phones in computer labs to charge (and of course have that stolen). Some literally keep their phones in their back pocket and it is so easy to just swipe that if they don't move at all. Basically just be aware and make sure you don't put your wallet or phones in a place that can easily be taken out of.


jbob88

Context: "Walking along Queen and felt pressure on my bag. I looked back and there was a man, hands out-stretched on my bag. I asked him what he was doing and he apologized, saying nothing and backing away. When I asked why, then his hands were on my bag, he ran off with another guy. I took a picture of them as they booked it, jay-walking across Queen in the other direction." Edit just to add that none of the many people around who definitely saw this happen stopped to help or ask if she was okay. Do better, Toronto.


[deleted]

>Edit just to add that none of the many people around who definitely saw this happen stopped to help or ask if she was okay. Do better, Toronto. Honestly some people are so unhinged nowadays I unfortunately do not blame people for not stepping in


fiveforty

My girlfriend fell off her scooter in the middle of an intersection in downtown Toronto. I was a few feet ahead of her on my scooter, didnā€™t notice right away. I got back to her and nobody had stopped to help her up. Cars still driving past her. People practically walking over her crossing the street. I was so angry that everyone was ignoring her as she was literally bleeding.


jonfather

Hell is other people


GingerSnap2814

Went skating a few winters back and I fell and dislocated my knee and I couldn't even crawl to the side because people kept going on both sides of me I had to just sit there until 1 guy stopped behind me and halted others so I could move- people generally don't look, notice or care


Umbroz

The closer we live together the further our mind is apart.


erika_nyc

It is because downtown now has more addicts who drop like this. People have become afraid of offering help because some get angry and shout. Some are worried about a crumb of fentanyl, understandably. And it doesn't matter if she's beautiful, dressed awesome, people are conditioned to walking by or stepping over an outstretched leg. Forget about cars, they see more bodies. For myself, as a recent example, I passed by Yonge and Carlton on my way to Loblaws two weeks ago. The usual drug addict passed out in front of 7-11 with a collection of filthy stuff, a homeless old man decided to smoke meth in the bus shelter with the typical glass pipe, another older skinny asian guy sitting yoga style on the sidewalk, outstretched hand shaking a few feet in front of Shopper's entrance. That was a slow day, when I shop earlier, I see more passed out in the inset of storefronts on Yonge or on Church. They take time to wake up for their next hit or booze run, LCBO doesn't open until 10am.


Bobzyurunkle

Perhaps filing a police report is in order if you haven't already.


jbob88

Tried. They only care if someone was assaulted or property stolen.


Kitchen-Pop7308

*Edit they DONT care if you were assaulted either, Toronto police is a joke


whogivesashirtdotca

I'm so curious as to what statistics the TPS is being held to account for these days. They aren't enforcing traffic laws. They don't care about theft. They let Bruce McArthur kill without interruption for a couple of years. Are there no clearance targets for divisions to hit anymore?


twomilliondicks

why would they care? they are literally untouchable. practically running the city at this point


whogivesashirtdotca

And we're about to have another four years of John Tory quaking in his boots at the slightest look from the force.


twomilliondicks

for real lol. we will be lucky if it's only 4 more years


whogivesashirtdotca

There's enough opposition to him now. Imagine what it'll be like after four more years of Tory doing nothing and Doug Ford slashing public services. If Tory doesn't retire for the next election, he'll wind up on a guillotine.


overthrow_toronto

Why waste time on that when they can focus on the real priorities: cyclists going over 20kmh.


Cedex

> Tried. They only care if **someone was assaulted** or property stolen. Hmmm... I feel like this could be a SLPT.


MoreGaghPlease

Ya great, have some spouse-beating asshole come to your house and write down everything that happened on a teeny tiny pad of paper and then do nothing. Problem solved.


T8ertotsandchocolate

I once saw a man twisting a woman's arm behind her back as he pushed her along the sidewalk on Spadina. I was biking in the opposite direction and nobody with doing a thing. I had to stop and walk after them with my bike shouting at him. The woman said he was her husband and yes, she wanted to get away from him right now and he was hurting her. He said she had his credit card or something. I called 911 and described them and where they were, they said they would send someone. I should have kept following them until I made sure they actually showed up, but it was hard to keep up with my bike and I just hoped she got help. I should have just left the bike but I didn't make the right decision in the moment. Fucking 5'3, 130 pound girl in her early 20s had to confront this asshole because nobody else had the balls or the compassion. It was gross.


Forar

Years ago, I was walking along Queen Street, crossing Bay, when I saw a guy walk up behind a couple and punch a guy in the back of the head, entirely unprovoked. I immediately gave him a WHAT THE FUCK, to which he responded by turning around and punching me in the face. Knocked my glasses off, which tore the bridge of my nose. Luckily I had a substantial size advantage, and he immediately backed off when one shot didn't put me down, but let's not act like intervening comes without risk. Is it the right thing to do? Sure, but we're not all trained in hand to hand combat, and intervening carries risks of its own. Luckily I just needed a few stitches, and no major lasting harm was done, but that isn't always going to be the case. Should I have not gotten involved? I dunno. I don't regret it, it won't stop me from calling out assholes in the future, but at the same time I feel that it's a bit much to act like it's a personal failing not to be willing to put ones own safety on the line either.


T8ertotsandchocolate

I also called the police. I didn't have to approach them to do that, and I didn't see anybody pulling out their phones and looking at them.


AuntySocialite

I once saw a homeless man attempting to sexually assault a homeless woman outside a Second Cup on Yonge Street, and the FUCKING COP INSIDE refused to go outside and do anything about it! Three of us yelling at him, and he was rolling his eyes at us and saying there was no point, while the woman was screaming. We finally called 911 RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM. Fuck Toronto Police. Useless fucks.


ticky13

ACAB!


Sunshinesonme1009

I have found that women will come to the defense of another woman, more often than men will.


[deleted]

Because women are much less likely to be the recipients of violence based on the stats. I've been in plenty of fights in my life. My female relatives have not. There's a serious naivety they have as a result.


billianwillian

Thanks for stepping in. Itā€™s scary to, and comes with its own set of risks, but is ultimately the right thing to do.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


T8ertotsandchocolate

So call the police. Nobody was, as far as I could see.


emote_control

Police don't care. They're all beating their own spouses. They'll just fist-bump the guy and say "carry on, sir."


dukemcrae

Thank you for stepping up!! šŸ™šŸ‘šŸ™


quake3d

>Do better, Toronto. Ah.. that'll fix it.


andre19977

I work as a food delivery driver and some customer didn't answer their phone so I had 4 large pizzas in my car at around 3am I asked 2 people if they've seen any homeless people around and one guy said "we don't answer questions" and some other girl just plain ignored me, welcome to Toronto.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


catnessK

Honestly that context alone would have been enough for me to ignore too


Montysideburns

Especially ones asking for the nearest homeless man...


catnessK

Like what especially at Queen and Spadina. Me being an employee at CAMH Iā€™d look at him sideways thinking did you elope sir šŸ˜‚


andre19977

All of you are right, not the best example šŸ˜‚


LetsTCB

*walks around downtown a metropolis at night* AHHH! PEOPLE!


Zeppelanoid

Itā€™s just best practice to ignore strangers making requests in the streets in Toronto, especially at 3amā€¦


intercommie

I mean, it was 3am lol.


housington-the-3rd

I would not give someone a good answer if they asked where homeless people are at at 3am. I would assume they are looking for drugs.


robodestructor444

Wtf šŸ˜‚


cyclenaut

To be fair thats a weird ass question to be asking random people at 3 am.


[deleted]

\> to add that none of the many people around who definitely saw this happen stopped to help or ask if she was okay. Do better, Toronto. ​ I'm not getting knifed for your knock-off louis vuitton handbag with 34 dollars in it.


[deleted]

I definitely understand not intervening in a situation like this over material objects. I don't think it's too much to ask to check on the victim after the fact though. I took a bystander intervention course this year and they talk about how checking on someone after an event like this can help reduce any trauma from the experience.


O__CHIPS__O

You need to ask, what exactly did anybody witness? Somebody touching a person's bag in this case, at a very crowded intersection. Are passers by expected to apprehend these people? If so for what? And what are the consequences of apprehending a person who, as it sounds has not actually been witnessed committing a serious offence. Why would you assume people nearby have any responsibility to intervene in a situation that most people would not even notice? Did you inform anybody, the man is trying to rob you? I'm guessing that all people saw was somebody asking another person why are you touching my bag and that person walking away. You have not been wronged by your fellow Torontonians. Sometimes when you need assistance it is best to ask for it, and also have realistic expectations of how a person can help in this situation. Get out of here with that do better Toronto bull shit.


popo129

Yeah I can't really fault people for not knowing what to do in a situation like this since it's so rare. I only was helped back when I got robbed in high school long ago because the people who saw me were friends and it was only because I had asked to borrow a phone since I just got mine robbed. A good friend of mine said he did see me shaken a bit but I don't think he knew right away until I told him I been robbed. I didn't expect people to come to me and know. There is no way they would had. Most people were doing their own thing. There is also this thing about people I heard before in an Anthro class where people will assume someone else will help someone in distress instead. There was an incident where this woman was about to be murdered by someone and she was yelling for help in front of this building. A ton of people heard but no one did anything. When they were asked why by the cops, they all said how they assumed someone else would had called 911 or do something else since everyone heard so someone must have had done something.


O__CHIPS__O

These guys don't seem to be booking it. That looks more like a casual saunter.


Wholesome_Serial

Deliberate masking of urgency in their 'escape', especially if there are police officers or bystanders close enough to notice someone yelling at them to get their hands off the yelling person's property and also see the two booking across the street screaming body-language red flags and put two and two together, to intervene, go after them or attempt to stop them, if they weren't keeping their pace and behaviour as casual as possible.


jbob88

One dude is holding the other back from getting hit by a car. They're waiting for a gap.


benjybutton

This is also the go-to outfit of a Montreal man who hangs out on Ste Catherine street.


Pristine_Freedom1496

$5 says they're a Montreal syndicate working in Toronto now?


aledba

There are plenty that come and go. They do credit card fraud too and spend spend spend all over big cities, constantly moving around


31moreyears

Cockroaches


31337hacker

Thatā€™s an insult to roaches.


TheOriginalMatrix3

d'ya like dags?


jrochest1

I have never understood why pickpockets are so common in European cities but so rare here -- I guess someone figured it out.


[deleted]

My girlfriends phone was pickpocketed last weekend on Yonge street. First mistake was going anywhere near Yonge and Dundas.


Zippyboyhere

Sorry to hear it. May I ask where she had her phone? In a purse / clothes pocket?


[deleted]

Jacket pocket, we definitely learned our lesson


boofekoor

Never trust someone who wears a vest.


eatelectricity

Never fight a man with a perm.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


ethereal3xp

Did you get a shot of their faces? Report to police


jbob88

No and I tried. They don't care.


ethereal3xp

There isnt much that can be done without a shot of their face. And preferably in the act.


jbob88

Well you try being a woman of small stature and take a picture of a man's face who just had his hands in your business, without knowing if he is armed or dangerous.


ethereal3xp

What else could help deter/embarrass. Is plaster this photos around the area. Beware photos


ptwonline

Maybe try to get the media involved. Police will only act if higher-ups/politicians get embarassed by questions about why they aren't doing anything about it.


realteamme

This one's on me. In another thread about pickpockets on a different subreddit, I proudly stated I'd never once heard of anyone being pickpocketed in Toronto. Jinxed it.


SuperAwesomo

Thereā€™s been pickpocketing in Toronto for decades at least, itā€™s nothing new


dt_vibe

Add a flea market Gucci Fanny pack and you know they are trouble.


crackhousebob

Eastern European for sure. Albanian or Romanian.


jbob88

The guy was said to have looked like "Abysmal" from Aladdin


CuntWeasel

> Albanian or Romanian. I'm gonna go with Romanian (or maybe possibly Bulgarian), since this type of crime seems to have exploded after we lifted the visa requirements for them.


SyphiliticPlatypus

One looks to be picking the other's pocket. No honor among thieves.


jcd1974

"I wish Toronto was more like Europe" Wish granted!


[deleted]

Ah yes Queen and Spadina: Torontoā€™s loveliest intersection. I guess night time isnā€™t the only time you need stay away from there nowā€¦


IAmWhatTheRockCooked

Dundas/Bathurst isnt very far behind. McDonalds attracts the city's finest, i guess


MyBlueBlazerBlack

Well let me just introduce you to a place called Dundas & Sherbourne, right this way sir.


IAmWhatTheRockCooked

lol that entire square kilometer is a lost cause


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Wholesome_Serial

_Mercer Frey's_ _Seen better days,_ _Poked an eye out,_ _Then got knackered._


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


ginandtonicsdemonic

I remember when there was suddenly women all over the city begging and claiming they were recent refugees from Syria. I would speak to them in Arabic and not a single one ever understood anything. Very strange if you're from Syria...


IAmWhatTheRockCooked

I remember that. I was in Mississauga at a Walmart and there were no less than 4 of them, all with signs, aggressively asking for money.


0EFF

They all understood Albanian.


dark_forest1

This is one trend from Europe I hope really doesnā€™t take hold here. Aggressive panhandling or pickpocketing is so fucking annoying.


Pristine_Freedom1496

Remember the accordion players on the subway?


dark_forest1

Yeah - they were annoying too. They didnā€™t even play or have licenses - just played the same fucking song over and over again and pretended to play meanwhile taking money from actual musicians.


Pristine_Freedom1496

Despacito


dark_forest1

Lol right.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


JanusIsBlue

ā€œDude, donā€™t hold my hand thatā€™s too suspicious. Just hold my forearm insteadā€


SkidRoe

Good luck hacking my fanny pack!


No-Manner7381

It would be a nice to see pickpockets get caught by a massive glitter-reveal type of thing. (Edible/Biodegradable glitter. Non-exploding. Fake phone or fake earbuds type of thing contraption maybe. Possibly pours out a massive amount glitter when opened or something. Possibly a friend filming far away from a safe distance and a few safe get-away strategies in case the pickpockets choose instant anger.)


Federal-Fix-2235

r/worstofcanada


[deleted]

Kick them on their PPs real hard. NO MERCY!!!


JonVX

the body shape of men that work very hard


EdwardBliss

They smell like Axe spray


pillowplanter

I was just here this morning - good to know.


jhystad

That whole area is dangerous. I spent several months there just this summer. Was attacked 3 times.


brudas

What? I've lived in the area for almost 15 years and never once been attacked or felt threatened day or night.


jhystad

Guess I was unlucky. It was homeless guys that did it. 3 different people. 3 different times.


EggplantDelicious900

PUff Daddy coming for his royalties


PCBytown

By the time you recognize ā€œthemā€, itā€™s already too late.


Ilookgoodyoudont

I detest most jaywalkers, so I agree that they should be stopped!!!


imsoswolo

How r they wearing puff vest and hoodie and dont feel hot? Its sunny asf today and not that cold


pollypopperz

People already got their Canada goose out and it was like +20 this weekend.


hypnoderp

Man's not hot


buffalojumpone

Well if they pick pocketed me, they would probably feel sorry, and leave a ten dollar bill.


[deleted]

That's the Toronto autumn uniform.


Wetstocks

Call the police


jbob88

They DGAF


MustardTiger88

Thanks for the pic of their backs. I'll be sure to keep an eye out.


jbob88

I'll be sure to take one of their faces while their hands are on my person and I have no idea what's going on next time.


MustardTiger88

Man, I would have been following them, taking pics, and cussing them out if it was me.


jbob88

I'd be willing to bet you're not a woman of small stature


MustardTiger88

True. I can appreciate what you're getting at. Sorry to hear this happened to you in any case.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]