This moment can teach a masterclass in manipulation.

It's a seemingly innocent, even heartwarming, premise used to disarm and distract.

It’s both a chilling reminder of human vulnerability and a testament to how opportunistic people can exploit empathy.

Your candid recounting of these events offers a stark reminder to always trust your gut.

Suspicion isn’t cynicism, it’s survival.

As much as I love traveling and meeting new people, some of the best advice we get about how to approach the world comes from our own mothers when they told us as little kids, "Don't talk to strangers"

Thanks for sharing this sobering and useful piece Chingmay!