I swear confrontations with strangers are becoming regular episodes in my life.  It comes as no surprise perhaps that people are more highly strung at present, what with the credit crunch, war in Iraq, global warming, Max being killed out of Eastenders and so forth. So what has happened to our compassion for our fellow man?

It was Blanche Dubois from Tenessea Williams’ classic a Streetcar Called Desire who uttered the words ‘I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers’, words which anyone with even the slightest dose of naivety and trust, will wear on their chest with pride. It seems we are no longer romancing ideas of strangers however with people we do not know by name or face being immediately presumed as enemies. Perhaps all these years of stranger danger teachings have finally taken their toll.

For example; At the bus stop waiting for the 52 to Victoria I noticed a child drop his transformers bumblebee action figure, complete with flip out stingers and snap on rocket thrusters. On bending down to pluck it out of the road the back of my hand was met by the heel of the mothers shoe, apparently outraged that I should dare touch her sons toy.

Controversial event take two features myself: a country-bumpkin-turned-city girl, and a younger girl of obvious wealth. On finding Peaches Geldof look-a-like's phone I flicked through the last dialed numbers landing on 'Kitty' and 'Daddy' calling them both leaving voicemails stating I'd leave the owners phone behind the counter. My reward? Madam turns up just as my finger slips over the hangup button, announcing to the cafe that I was stealing her phone. Burning cheeks, a salmon quiche I can't quite swallow and 11 pairs of eyes boring into me.
 
I shall not depend on the kindness of strangers and they should certainly not rely on me. After all I am the Osama Bin Laden of the toy world. Rolled into one the Bonnie, and the Clyde.

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