Submitted by [deleted] t3_yd7clp in philadelphia
[deleted]
Comments
Scrungii t1_itqetqn wrote
I guess. Nothing bad has come of it so I shouldn't assume ill intent. Mostly I was just curious
TrentonMakes t1_itqfccm wrote
Genuine question most times because a lot of them don’t have watches or phones, so they really have no idea what time it is. The other is to catch you off guard when you inevitably look down when you’re face down on your phone.
Scrungii t1_itqfm0m wrote
Yeah I figured it was genuine as how else would they know, but it happened decently regularly and then the one yesterday when the guy clearly could have checked the time himself had me wondering. But he just straight up didn't do anything next so idk
Aromat_Junkie t1_itqfpf6 wrote
Literally a classic tactic to steal watches.
Scrungii t1_itqfr9u wrote
I visibly do not have a watch tho
porkchameleon t1_itqgu1t wrote
You could have a pocket watch.
porkchameleon t1_itqh16v wrote
> People keep asking me for the time in train stations
Train stations should have a clock posted somewhere since trains run on some kind of schedule, no? Point them to those.
EDIT: on the street I just tell them the year we are in (just make sure to specify A.D.)
CassetteTaper t1_itqh5ur wrote
It's like the gum trick. If a person is willing to stop and engage they are marked as an easy target.
WestPhillyFilly t1_itqhcnv wrote
I was waiting at a red light on my e-scooter, when the guy in the passenger seat of the car next to me yelled "hey man, do you have the time?" so I told him "5:15!" or whatever it was, and that was the end of that interaction.
I was also confused; doesn't like every car have a clock on the dashboard or radio or wherever?
dreadpiratesmith t1_itqi64s wrote
To check out your phone and see if it's worth stealing and if you're an easy victim for stealing.
[deleted] OP t1_itqi8oc wrote
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Brraaap t1_itqiwk8 wrote
Works for phones too
justaphage42 t1_itqk336 wrote
Yeah, I've had people ask me the time and also the weather in the park where I normally walk my dog. Never caused any further issues that I usually answer. It's unclear if they're after anything further or just the way I act/my possessions suggest I'm not worth stealing from.
[deleted] OP t1_itqkzxl wrote
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sakamake t1_itqlc7p wrote
This makes me feel a lot less guilty about just guessing what time it is and saying that
WanderlustFella t1_itqmux3 wrote
I would venture to say its both. Social engineering is a disguise of genuineness. Sure there are some that might ask legitimately for the time. I mean shelters have a curfew so if you don't make it there on time, your locked out. However there are certainly those that are asking to check out your wares. Maybe even just a question just to see who will answer them.
"Hey you got the time?" Based on if and how you answer the guy has a good idea if you are friendly and perhaps naive. Certainly asking for a dollar after that would be just as harmless.
johnkrukslovechild t1_itqp10i wrote
You just need to develop that 1000 yard stare that says "don't talk to me, I know every scam there is, you missed your bus/need money for carpool/blah blah blah".
DonQOnIce t1_itqpel1 wrote
I can look at the time on my watch without even stopping or missing a beat and I will and report it if asked. But don’t ever stop and take your phone out to tell someone the time.
hairlikemerida t1_itqqwjf wrote
Because they are trying to rob you.
Why on earth would someone ask someone else for the time in a train station…where there are clocks everywhere?
napsdufroid t1_itqry7d wrote
This ain't NOLA
MagnusUnda t1_itqs4cl wrote
Once I responded “I don’t know” (did not have watch on, but admittedly had my phone in my pocket) and was promptly called “a racist motherfucker”
napsdufroid t1_itqs5ih wrote
This is why it pays to wear a cheap watch
NotSureNotRobot t1_itqv36k wrote
Q. “Can I ask you a question?”
A. “You just did. Good day.”
A2. “No”
A3. No answer, just keep walking
I always choose A3 although A and A1 are what I say to myself after.
I don’t engage at all anymore. Once a guy asked if he could ask me a question and I said, “sorry man, can’t help you” and he followed me while berating me for assuming he needed help. I turned around and said, “ok, so what do you need?” And he said, “you know what?! Fuck you man!” and stormed off.
worsedadever t1_itqwyt9 wrote
Just say: “time to get a watch”
cerulean11 t1_itqz8a1 wrote
Looking at your watch is what they want to see
DonQOnIce t1_itr0aq0 wrote
Maybe. But I have an Apple Watch and nothing has ever come of it. They can also usually see my watch either way since it typically sits below my sleeve end.
Surfingtheseas t1_itr0bk7 wrote
Speak in a different language next time. Cant engage if they dont understand
loveyourground t1_itr0br0 wrote
There was a woman sitting outside my office other day who asked me for a cigarette while I was walking in. I told her I didn't have one and she proceeded to tell me to go fuck myself. I guess I got off easy, lol 🥰
ElvisAndretti t1_itr0lry wrote
I can now (officially) say “Retired, don’t know, don’t care.”
OstrichMeniscus t1_itr1kfc wrote
I was asked yesterday at the train station but I’m pretty sure there are zero clocks there other than scheduled times for arrivals
Waste-Home322 t1_itr1oxn wrote
We got that answer correct back when we were 18yo on Bourbon Street. Then they just threatened us until we gave them $10. Puzzle-hustle-robbery….
Waste-Home322 t1_itr1tef wrote
Or both at once….
Waste-Home322 t1_itr1x78 wrote
Young folks these days won’t get that reference.
joshjosh111 t1_itr56nz wrote
Or a grandfather clock at home
joshjosh111 t1_itr5pgs wrote
TJCW t1_itrgxxs wrote
By asking you a question like that, you will take a second to look down or be taken back for a second which makes you vulnerable for an attack.
jamin_g t1_itrh4ak wrote
Foreign time traveling agents.
porkchameleon t1_itrll7e wrote
...you don't?
ProbablyAtDialysis t1_itqe6z0 wrote
It could be to scope your phone / watch / let your guard down.
It could also be a genuine question.