Robbery Attempt Ends When Victim Offers Iced Tea

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Ever notice how much people will open up and talk if you can create an atmosphere of acceptance and just listen? I guess this works in the most unusual circumstances…

A mother and her 6-month old girl escaped unhurt after she calmed down a knife-wielding robber with a glass of iced tea and a chat, Tokyo police said Wednesday.

The 30-year-old housewife was in the hallway of her apartment building Monday when a man pressed a knife to her back and demanded money, police said.

When the woman said she did not have any cash on her, the man pushed her and her baby into her apartment.

To buy herself time to escape, the woman gave the robber a cup of iced wheat tea to calm him down on what was a hot summer day, police said.

The 43-year-old man put away his knife and began to tell her how he lost money gambling and its effect on his life and family. (CNN, July 10, 2008)

Wow. There’s a lesson on the effectiveness of a soft answer and the willingness to listen.

Hmmmm.