Will monkeys steal my glasses in Vrindavan?

squonk · Mar 11th, 2009, 21:30

I've come across a few references to monkeys stealing people's glasses in Vrindavan. Does this really happen? How common is it?

Dacoit Chief · Mar 11th, 2009, 21:52

If they do, there's a black market stall back in the main village that will sell you an identical replacement!

No.. but seriously, I've seen written that these guys are extremely good at what they do. Just make sure you carry a walking stick or cain. Also, be sure not to flash your bananas!

Nattusbs · Mar 11th, 2009, 21:54

It all depends on the monkey's need to improve its eyesight. They are like little kids - they observe, learn and copy humans. They have seen us wearing glasses, and given the opportunity, will try one on. It does not matter what the power of the lenses are, they want to look intellectual

So, be kind and let them have your glasses.

Cheers

Nattusbs

Paleface · Mar 11th, 2009, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by squonk

I've come across a few references to monkeys stealing people's glasses in Vrindavan. Does this really happen? How common is it?

Yes it happens regularly and is common, but not all over Vrindavan which is now a large town, so there's plenty of places where it doesn't happen - bazaar areas mainly around Loi Bazaar and Shaji Mandir - they steal anything which is being carried thinking that it may be edible - BTW there are guys who bater for the stolen item with the monkey, so usually the inedible item is retrieved!!

squonk · Mar 11th, 2009, 22:43

Maybe I should bring a few decoy pairs. I'd love to see a monkey try them on, but without my glasses, I really can't see much.

Paleface · Mar 11th, 2009, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by squonk

Maybe I should bring a few decoy pairs. I'd love to see a monkey try them on, but without my glasses, I really can't see much.

Yeah you can get cheap Chinese decoys for Rs 100 in India, just ahve your number handy. Or in those areas where ambushes are likely, just hang on to your specs. Nothing really too much to be concerned about, it's not dangerous. If a monkey jumps on your shoulder, which they must do to get to the specs. You hardly feel it, as they bounce off, barely touching you - more the problem is having a dodgy ticker because the shock and speed of the thing is well, surprising.

Reminds me of the Vrindavan monkey that killed a dog and murdered a man.......

Manzey · Mar 11th, 2009, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by squonk

I've come across a few references to monkeys stealing people's glasses in Vrindavan. Does this really happen? How common is it?

Only if its branded........

Nattusbs · Mar 12th, 2009, 00:00

They love Ray Bans - they think they look hip & cool

Cheers

Nattusbs

raj1985 · Mar 12th, 2009, 00:15

Yes,it is very common.Make sure you don't wear it or carry it in your hand.

Nick-H · Mar 12th, 2009, 00:26

Oh... a monkey wearing RayBans looks very hip and cool!

And...

A cow tried to steel my shopping as I walked home with it the other day.

Paleface · Mar 12th, 2009, 00:46

One arm was a young monkey, i saw him often, actually had the stupid notion that we had something going. He was there the day a i had a bright yellow GPS in my hand on the roof. I let him get closer, wondering if he was being friendly - then, as one does i looked at something yonder and the GPS left my hand. Obviously he thought it was a banana and began chewing. Freaking out i mustered all hands on deck and tried to box him in - running about as he was GPS in mouth on his three arms, paws, legs? Another futile idea - finally a real banana got him to drop it.

KABAARY · Mar 12th, 2009, 00:49

It's time to switch to contact lenses.

Quote:

A cow tried to steel my shopping as I walked home with it the other day

Why were you walking home with a cow ?

Nick-H · Mar 12th, 2009, 01:26

Because the dog didn't want to come!

atala · Mar 12th, 2009, 01:48

The solution with glasses-stealing monkeys in Vrindavan is to carry a walking-stick. They sell them in general stores especially in Loi Bazar for around Rs 40. Always carry the stick with you and no monkey will attack you. In narrow alleys where the monkeys walk on top of the wall above you along your way, it helps waving the stick at them to impress them a bit more with the fact that you have the stick. You will see immediate reactions in their faces and behaviour even though the stick is far away from them.

Another area where there is danger is on the parikrama path along the Yamuna, behind the Keshi Ghat. There everyone has to walk under a tree and bend the head low to get thru under a large branch. Monkeys are sometimes waiting there to snatch the glasses right off your face. Same thing inside the walls of Radha-Damodhar Mandir. When people do their prostrations at the samadhis in the back, monkeys can come and do their mischief.

In very tradition-rule-oriented temples carrying a stick is not allowed because a stick is considered a sign of supremacy (like the sceptre of a king) which would challenge the supremacy of the deities on the altar. So there one may need to leave the stick at the entrance gate.

KABAARY · Mar 12th, 2009, 01:50

Quote:

Because the dog didn't want to come!

Bloody dog in the manger !

............................
I could dance with you till the cows come home. Better still, I'll dance with the cows and you come home......Groucho Marx.

Mar 11th, 2009, 21:30	#1
squonk Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York Posts: 4	Will monkeys steal my glasses in Vrindavan? I've come across a few references to monkeys stealing people's glasses in Vrindavan. Does this really happen? How common is it?

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Mar 11th, 2009, 21:52	#2
Dacoit Chief Dosai, Idli, Sambar eating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Madrid Posts: 273	If they do, there's a black market stall back in the main village that will sell you an identical replacement! No.. but seriously, I've seen written that these guys are extremely good at what they do. Just make sure you carry a walking stick or cain. Also, be sure not to flash your bananas!

Mar 11th, 2009, 21:54	#3
Nattusbs Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: IIT-Kharagpur Posts: 656	It all depends on the monkey's need to improve its eyesight. They are like little kids - they observe, learn and copy humans. They have seen us wearing glasses, and given the opportunity, will try one on. It does not matter what the power of the lenses are, they want to look intellectual So, be kind and let them have your glasses. Cheers Nattusbs

Mar 11th, 2009, 22:43	#5
squonk Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York Posts: 4	Maybe I should bring a few decoy pairs. I'd love to see a monkey try them on, but without my glasses, I really can't see much.

Mar 12th, 2009, 00:00	#8
Nattusbs Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: IIT-Kharagpur Posts: 656	They love Ray Bans - they think they look hip & cool Cheers Nattusbs

Mar 12th, 2009, 00:15	#9
raj1985 thou shalt live to travel.... Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Delhi/Pune Posts: 36	Yes,it is very common.Make sure you don't wear it or carry it in your hand.

Mar 12th, 2009, 00:26	#10
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	Oh... a monkey wearing RayBans looks very hip and cool! And... A cow tried to steel my shopping as I walked home with it the other day.

Mar 12th, 2009, 00:46	#11
Paleface Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Garhwal Himalaya Posts: 1,786	One arm was a young monkey, i saw him often, actually had the stupid notion that we had something going. He was there the day a i had a bright yellow GPS in my hand on the roof. I let him get closer, wondering if he was being friendly - then, as one does i looked at something yonder and the GPS left my hand. Obviously he thought it was a banana and began chewing. Freaking out i mustered all hands on deck and tried to box him in - running about as he was GPS in mouth on his three arms, paws, legs? Another futile idea - finally a real banana got him to drop it.

Mar 12th, 2009, 01:26	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	Because the dog didn't want to come!

Mar 12th, 2009, 01:48	#14
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	The solution with glasses-stealing monkeys in Vrindavan is to carry a walking-stick. They sell them in general stores especially in Loi Bazar for around Rs 40. Always carry the stick with you and no monkey will attack you. In narrow alleys where the monkeys walk on top of the wall above you along your way, it helps waving the stick at them to impress them a bit more with the fact that you have the stick. You will see immediate reactions in their faces and behaviour even though the stick is far away from them. Another area where there is danger is on the parikrama path along the Yamuna, behind the Keshi Ghat. There everyone has to walk under a tree and bend the head low to get thru under a large branch. Monkeys are sometimes waiting there to snatch the glasses right off your face. Same thing inside the walls of Radha-Damodhar Mandir. When people do their prostrations at the samadhis in the back, monkeys can come and do their mischief. In very tradition-rule-oriented temples carrying a stick is not allowed because a stick is considered a sign of supremacy (like the sceptre of a king) which would challenge the supremacy of the deities on the altar. So there one may need to leave the stick at the entrance gate.