First of all, I am torn and confused. I would like to hear your opinions.
This is the story: When I went to the charlie west today, I left my backpack outside the store,
naively thinking that everyone cares for each other and I have nothing to worry about. However, when I came back, the bag was there, but all the money, camera, and books - including my meaningful novel Anna Karenina - were gone suddenly.
As you may expect, I had a choice of accusing the guards, but I did not wish to give any negative feeling to someone who has possibly done nothing related to my desperate situation.
I feel as I must change my mindset about this nation, or the whole mankind - I apologize if it sounds like an exaggeration.
This is the question: what should I do? Was it the right thing that I chose to do?
I would be thankful if you can help me

You really shouldn't be so trusting of people. I doubt there's anything you can do except for telling the guards...which you did right? But I don't think there's much they can do either, they're not responsible for your things. But yeah...don't leave money/camera/phone, anything valuable outside in public like that...hope it wasn't too much money

Hey,

What happened to you was awful and unfortunetly things get stolen everyday.
I hope your mindset about Canadians, let alone mankind, has not changed drastically because in general, there are nice people out there - it's just the bad ones that make everyone on edge. There are more good people than bad.
As far as your belongings go, I would talk to the manager at Charlie West and tell him/her what happened. That's all you can really do. And like Harlequin 90 said, don't leave anything valuable out of your sight!

Well there are people who resort to/are tempted by crime in every single country in the world! I could go and post an essay about why Crime in Canada is lower or Percieved to be lower then where you presumably are from but the fact of the matter is that a large percentage of small crimes are crimes of oppurtunity! Don't give people this oppurtuntiy! If you think this is bad; there have been bikes stolen off an on campus by people destroying the locks!

Wow that's horrible. Sorry you had to go through that, but really you shouldn't be so trusting of anyone. Personally I think it's crazy to leave so many valuables outside in your bag? I guess it's a lesson learned at the most.

yeah, I never leave sight of anything I carry around with me.

I wouldn't leave an empty backpack alone outside, much less one full of valuables...

I am so sorry u had to go through that. Its definitely very painful at first when u know ur stuff is with someone who doesn't deserve it. But i had to learn it the hard way as well ... but let this be a lesson well learnt. NEVER trust anyone u dont know with your belongings.

Its a sad fact we have to live with.

I understand were your coming from, I was reading that in Japan you can leave your bags at the food court on your table, go to the washroom, and when you comeback, they will still be there!!!

Let's just say not all Canadians are like that.

I find it kind of strange that the other night I was working on an assignment in thode and some guy came over and put his macbook on my table and asked if I would watch it because he had to go for like 10 minutes. I said okay and watched it for him, but really its not like he knew that I wasn't going to steal it. I would never leave my laptop with someone I dont know.

That's a tough break man. Don't ever distance yourself from something you deem valuable because for every person that you can trust, there's also a desperate person out there who will steal it.

As an international learner, when I came to this country, I had, yet skeptically, this universal notion that Canada is an ideal place - where trust is a core value.

it's not only the first robbery in Canada, but also in my life. I did not expect it, and it is difficult for me to cope with such involuntary and unfamiliar feelings against others, whose definition has suddenly changed. Yet, I feel much better now since listening to people sharing valuable opinions - I do feel much better.

Here is a question that I would be very thankful to know: "what is the 'truth' about the situations in Canada, specifically around MAC?"

canada has its share of thieves like all countries, just be careful with your belongings. Think of it this way the punishment for theft in canada is like a slap on the wrist. So obviously individuals are not going to fear stealing but in countries like Saudi Arabia, where the repercussions of theft are severe the likelihood of theft is minimal.

It's not the truth about Canada or Mac. It's just common knowledge there's bad people everywhere in the world. I've lived in three different countries (in Canada for the past 8), and the fact is that, in every country, it is not smart to leave valuable stuff alone anywhere! Yes, Canada is an ideal place to live compared to many other countries, but that doesn't mean you can leave all your valuables lying around and no one will steal them. There's still bad people everywhere... no matter where you go.

Just don't leave your stuff lying around anymore. Before you go lose your faith in Canadians, remember that McMaster is a very, VERY multicultural university and whoever stole from you wasn't necessarily Canadian. Bad people are everywhere...

every country has thieves, and crimes. The only difference is the how much crime is commited per day. Canada's crime rate isnt high, but it is there. I personally never leave anything valuable from my sight, and I hope you get your stuff back (but its unlikely unless they have cameras outside). Sorry to hear about that