An act of kindness ^-^

Reading news is helpful in improving one's English skills especially with vocabulary. Today, let's study the news below about showing an act of kindness to other people.


"Putpockets" give a little extra cash

LONDON (Reuters) – Visitors to London always have to be on the look out for pickpockets, but now there's another, more positive phenomenon on the loose -- putpockets.
Aware that people are suffering in the economic crisis, 20 former pickpockets have turned over a new leaf and are now trawling London's tourist sites slipping money back into unsuspecting pockets.
Anything from 5 pounds ($8) to 20 pound notes is being surreptitiously deposited in unguarded pockets or open handbags in Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and other busy spots.
The initiative, which runs until the end of August in London before being rolled out countrywide, is being funded by a broadbrand provider, which says it wants to brighten up people's lives in unusual ways.
"It feels good to give something back for a change -- and Britons certainly need it in the current economic climate," said Chris Fitch, a former pickpocket who now heads TalkTalk's putpocketing initiative.
"Every time I put money back in someone's pocket, I feel less guilty about the fact I spent many years taking it out."
London's police have been briefed about the plan, which will see at least 100,000 pounds given away.

(Reporting by Luke Baker; Editing by Kate Kelland)

Source: www.yahoonews.com. '"Putpockets" give a little extra cash'. Reuters. August 19, 2009.


Let's study:

Vocabulary:
putpocketing / putpockets = opposite of pick-pocketing; placing something which you own into another person's possession, for entertainment or charitable manner.

pickpocketing / pickpockets = one who steals from pockets of another person in public places

on the loose = at large; able to act freely

turned over a new leaf = to change one's attitude for the better

trawling / trawl = go around


Practice: Fill the sentences with the correct word using the vocabularies above.
1. Amanda likes ______________ around the park.

2. Be careful! The pickpocketers are _________________ these days.

3. Samantha achieved her New Year's Resolution. She has __________________.

4. Her wallet was lost. _______________ is really common in their place.

5. The organization has good plans for their people. They will do ________________ starting tomorrow and they'll make sure that this will be unnoticed.


Discussion:
1. What is your opinion about the 'putpocketing'?

2. Do you think this kind of act is helpful?

3. Is pickpocketing or putpocketing common in your place?

4. What will you do if you experienced pickpocketing and putpocketing?

^-^

Lost for words...

Are you familiar with this expression?

Lost for words means somebody is unable to think of something to say.

This is actually the exact state I experienced for the past days.

Although it's like that, I tried to be productive not in words but in action.

As the popular saying goes, 'Action speaks louder than words.' ^-^

How about you?

Tell me. Have you experienced this kind of situation? How did you deal with it?

Let me know your thoughts!

I hope you're not lost in words now... hehe.


^-^