From: "Douglas G. Fry" <umpdougfry@home.com>
To: "Bill Oldham" <billo@kew.hotkey.net.au>, <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Subject: Re: Need help in handling petty theft.
Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2000 12:45:06 -0700

Why waste your energy chasing down a thief for one balloon. You'll just be a
little more careful with how you set up next time. Kids like that are only
looking for some one to chase them, that is how they attempt to get laughs.
you'll pop more than they took. It just isn't worth the effort.

"B B"clown
----- Original Message -----
To: <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2000 4:41 AM
Subject: Need help in handling petty theft.eft.


| Hello list,
| I need help in trying to figure out how to handle something that happened
| today at a shopping centre.
|
| I was selling balloon creations at a local shopping centre when a young
(14
| or 15 years old) boy took a balloon out of the bag that hangs on the side
of
| my table and walked off with it.
|
| This action made me so stroppy that I chased him for about 10 shops before
| giving up. He was much faster and fitter than I am.
|
| Ten minutes later he comes walking by again. His friend has twisted the
| balloon into a hat. The attitude was kind of like a cat teasing a dog
| attached to a chain. They wanted me to look like an idiot again by chasing
| them.
|
| My action was to notify the shopping centre security people who replied,
| "there is nothing we can do. Handle it yourself."
|
| If I could get either of the boys some where alone, I would feel like
| pounding them into a pulp. But I realize that this is no solution.
|
| I am really just letting off a bit of steam here.
|
| Any suggestions from list members of how to handle this would be
| appreciated.
|
| regards,
| Bill Oldham from Magical Bill's Balloonacy in Melbourne, Victoria
| 5 Raynes Street
| Balwyn, Victoria
| Australia  3103
|
| We use the therapy of laughter to make people happier.
|