Being kidnapped has truly got to be one of everyone's greatest fears. We see it in movies and real life situations on television and it's amazing how people will find ways to escape and survive. It takes a mental toll like no other. All the moments spent wondering if you're going to live? It's too much to think about. Don't talk to strangers.
Redditor u/Raevin_ wanted to hear from the survivors of kidnappings by asking them to divulge.... People who have been kidnapped, what happened and how did you escape?
Don't Hide....
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I was kidnapped by a relative as a small child. I was told to hide in a closet while the police searched for me, and if they found me, they would hurt my kitten. I was found. Kitten & I were returned home safely. Freezygal
An Attempt is Close Enough!
Used to live and work in Kyrgyzstan. We had a car service that took us between from work and home. One day I go to leave, a car pulls up and says "I'm your driver for today!" He knows my name, though I've never seen him before in my life. He was also at the space our cars usually picked us up at. I thought it odd, but decided it must have been a different driver for the day (which happened somewhat regularly).
Opened the back door to get in, noticed there were no handles inside either door in the back. Huge red flag. I backed out of the car, and before I could react he drove off instantly. Never saw him again.
To this day I've no idea what happened. Attempted kidnapping? Guy who would just try to extort me for money (common scam). No clue. But the fact he knew my name threw me off. DragoneerFA
Make a Scene....
My friend's mom was almost kidnapped in Sweden.
I say almost because as soon as they grabbed her, she faked having a seizure. They freaked out and left her on the street. Ksrugi
Your friend's mum is a smart woman to think that quickly in such a terrifying situation. Raichu7
We need kidnap insurance?
Not me a cousin was kidnapped walking into work in Mexico. He was held for two weeks while the insurance company negotiated ransom. In the end his kidnapping insurance paid up and he was let go. I don't know how much they paid but I do know they threw in a couple rolex watches. martij13
Bite to Live....
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When I was a child I had a man grab me by the arm and try to pull me into his van. I bit his hand that was holding me so hard I got to the bone and he punched me and two of my baby teeth were in his hand. He let go of me though and I ran home. I was in my neighborhood when this happened. I believe I was only able to stay conscious from the adrenaline. Cannabilistichokie
An Angel Comes....
I was almost kidnapped when I was 6. I was in the mall and my mom said I must wait with my brother, 10 at the time, while she went to the bathroom.
The bathrooms were close to the exit and after my mom went into the bathroom; my brother wanted to use the bathroom. So he left me, but he didn't warn me. I got super scared and to this day I thought I saw my brother head out the exit. I ran after him and searched outside in the parking lot, I was crying a bunch.
Then this man came behind me, grabbed my shoulders and started to tug me away from the mall. I began to cry louder. This lady drove up next to him and said if everything was alright. I said no and I didn't know where my mom was. The man booked it. The lady parked her car and helped me look for my mom. Who was crying inside the mall calling my name. That lady was an angel. UmOkay_Hi
DIP!
I was forced into this utility workers truck and after he put a belt around my neck and everything I told him that the car next to us was my mom and she recognized me so he pulled over pushed me out and dipped. Flamingo-_-joe
Be Careful.
Alright. I'm going to tell a short story that happened a while back. Not as bad as others but was scary. Bless you all for your strength and please be careful.
I had a neighbor who needed something fixed on a game system they had. Anyhow my SO and I walked in the door and everything was fine. They smoked in their house so I bummed a cig and after the 3rd puff my head felt like it was the size of the living room. It was just the 3 of us in the room. I started to hallucinate really hard. I got up and tried to walk out and the person we were helping stopped me at the door and said its okay just sit and relax and they locked the door.
So I sat down and began to get very groggy. I was becoming very uncomfortable and got up walked to the door and somehow got the door unlocked and walked across the street and back into my home. My feet and legs felt like they were huge and weighed as much as cars. Luckily my SO came right behind me and nothing else happened. The persons who's home we are helping was at least 8 inches taller and much bigger than me. My SO was even smaller.
I don't know for sure what the person was going to do but it was scary. All from 3 maybe 4 puffs off a cigarette. We avoided that neighbor like the plague. About a year later we heard police on bull horns outside, all the while my folks were visiting (at the time a year later). The police had their long guns out and had that place swarmed. I have not seen that person who done that to us ever since.
Please if you read this be careful. This was terrifying. We never had any issues before this happened with this person so I figured all was going to be fine. By the way I rarely have a smoke and if or when I ever do I will be extra careful. CommonDimension
Party Politics.
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My mom was kidnapped. Her dad was in the embassy and was abusive/neglectful. A guy took her from a party her dad was having when I think she was about 6 and living in Mexico in the 70s. She eventually convinced him that he'd be in much worse trouble if he didn't return her. Her dad didn't notice she was gone, so nothing came of it legally. She still has a panic attack if someone covers her eyes because he blindfolded her. She's gone through a ton of therapy and is a generally cool person now, but she had to work on it a lot. Allredditorsarewomen
What's on the menu? What are the specials? What's popular? What's your favorite item?Tell me everything.
Back when I was in hospitality, these are part of the litany of questions I would get from visitors to our country. It became a bit irritating. I should've made a sign with "Regular FAQs."
I didn't have a lot of answers, due to the fact that I find American food pretty run of the mill. I'm going have to be schooled on what is considered extra yummy only in the states.
Although I must admit, the shoe definitely swaps feet when I travel. Tell me everything. The rest of the world is far more compelling with their menus.
Redditor u/Well_shi__-_- wanted to discuss what menu items we all need to discuss by asking:
What common foods in your country are considered delicacies by foreigners?
The closest "delicacy" for America I can come up with is pizza. Right? But only in NYC. And bagels, but only in NYC. Maybe alligator in Florida? And oranges, but only in Florida. Were very centralized here aren't we?
Berry Way
Thanks Strawberry GIF by DriscollsBerryGiphy"Goji berries. We put that stuff in our soups and many people pick that out when they drink the soup."
- eienblue
Essentials
"(good) Olive oil."
"Weirdly enough, Costco's house brand, Kirkland, is supposed to be some of the best, non-adulterated olive oil available in the States. I would look for a source on this, but I'm stoned."
"Kirkland California Extra Virgin Olive Oil is white label Cobram Estates, which is the California grown product of the Australian olive oil company, Boundary Bend. They have an unimpeachable reputation for quality and win many awards!"
baby fish
"It was supposed to be caviar, but now it's also unaffordable for us. cries in Russian."
"I used to eat caviar all the time as a cheap snack growing up moderately poor (Romanian). I was stunned to find out it's a delicacy."
"I was thinking caviar in Iran, but I don't know if it's true still. A lot of sturgeon species in Eurasia are endangered from overfishing and habitat destruction."
In the Forest
"Hmm, forest berries perhaps. I live in Finland. We have a lot of forests, so lot of berries such as blueberries and lingonberries. Everyman's Rights mean that you can just go and pick as much as you can find. It's kinda one of those things where if you live near any forested area, and are willing to spent time there come late summer, you'll probably have enough to last until next year in your freezer."
"We have so much berries that people from poorer countries (Thailand is a common one for some reason) are hired to pick them up, because doing berrypicking enough to actually profit monetarily is heavy work. And apparently the pay isn't worth it for most Finns. At the same time, forest berries are considered a superfood around the world, very healthy and trendy. Dunno about actual delicacy status, but definitely a difference in how we think about them."
The Little Lamb
baby lamb GIF by The DodoGiphy"I worked for a charity in Iraq for a year and we'd buy a dozen lamb chops for the equivalent of $5. That's like $60 to buy in the US and it's worse quality."
Ok, now that is what I call a menu. And I actually had a few of these items on my list when I heard the question. Only in Italy can you find true oil. And caviar? Guess I'm flying to Russia. Knock, knock Vlad. LOL
Aloha!
spam GIFGiphy"Hawaii has somehow turned spam into a sought after food, especially by visitors from Japan."
Shroomed...
"I would add mushrooms for Finland. Especially porcinis (herkkutatti), chanterelles (kantarelli) and C. tubaeformis (suppilovahvero) are incredible food mushrooms which are sought after e.g. in Italy. We can just go pick them in the forest thanks to our "jokamiehenoikeus", every man's right, which allows anyone to pick mushrooms and berries etc. on public land such as state-owned forests."
- Resumme
When in Mexico...
"Avocados here in Mexico, pretty common and cheap."
"I spent 3 months in your wonderful country 10 years ago and I still am disappointed when I eat an avocado or a mango here. "It´s just not like the ones in Mexico."
"Yea I always thought papaya was disgusting and tasted like pee warm beer until I ate one in Mexico. I can never get that real taste out of my mind."
Spain Eats
"Jamón Serrano, here in Spain is really common and you can find very good product for a very affordable price."
"We are going to Madrid this fall and my husband has already informed me that he plans to eat his weight in Jamón Iberico. We used to get slivers of it from a Spanish importer near our old house for crazy money."
Truth Hurts
british crown GIFGiphy"Englishman here, been scrolling for sooooo long to find my country..."
"Maybe some stereotypes are true."
Spam? Just, no. And I will say, I think the English are in the same boat as the good ole US of A. Empty food treasures. I've been to London... the supermarket sandwiches were good and you can drink in the streets. I guess you make up where you can.
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