The Kindness of Strangers: Losing a Laptop in Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia is a very safe country, and female travellers in particular often comment on how much safer they feel walking around at night here than in cities in Western Europe.
It is also a country where I have heard countless stories over the years of tourists and expats leaving things such as their wallet in a cafe, only to return a couple of hours later and find it untouched, or behind the bar, waiting for their return.
I have my own experience, which I explain in this video - the day I somehow lost my laptop in Zagreb and didn't notice until the following morning in Varazdin. And then I got a message from a stranger on Facebook...
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Video produced by Igor Vuk of Wolf Media.
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[@apscoradiales]

Have a very similar story to tell. Wife and I were walking around in a small town in central Croatia when a memory stick fell out of my pocket. Only found out that it fell out when we got back home later in the day. The next day my cousin came to me and asked me if I lost a memory stick. Apparently, someone in the town found it, opened it to see a few pictures of me, and wife - no names, connected the dots, and gave it to my cousin realising that we were related. Never met the nice guy or people who did this, but I will never forget that.

[@PaulBradbury]

Great story

[@gabrijelab.928]

Jedne godine izgubila sam burmu na kojoj je bio ugraviran datum i ime supružnika. Gospodin si je dao truda ići u matični ured i pronašao me putem datuma sa prstena. Prsten je poslije nakon rastave završio u starom zlatu ali ta gesta je vrijednija od zlata.

[@PaulBradbury]

Great story

[@kristijan2904]

I am proud to be Croat

[@PaulBradbury]

There is a lot to be proud of

[@kristijan2904]

@@PaulBradbury we are proud to have you here🤪

[@kobasicka]

@@PaulBradbury I'd really like to hear that from your perspective! It is always eyes opening to hear it from strangers.

[@natasa6887]

I have lost my Ipad for work in bakery... Came back next day and it was waiting for me ❤. So true! Hope it will not change! Thank you for sharing!

[@PaulBradbury]

Great story

[@Sighvat1]

That's how we do things in Croatia 😂😂 cheers from Cornwall!

[@jhutfre4855]

LOL😆😆🤣

[@ninaperkovic2300]

Years ago, I lost my student public transport pass in Zagreb. It had my name, photo and home address. A 12-year-old girl found it, searched for my home phone number (this was before the era of mobile phones) and called me! I remember the phone ringing several times one morning but I didn't want to get up from my bed and answer it🙂We met later in McD that day and I bought her a milkshake! Thanks a million!

[@PaulBradbury]

Great story

[@z.1628]

Great people, great country... We love truth and honesty here in Croatia, people are truly exceptional, money is not first thing in life and that's something unique... We know it, but when someone thats not born here confirms it, we are happy when others discover our beautiful country as it really is... Not a coincidence when good man like yourself discovers whole country full of people like that... Truth and honesty , that's more than enough for us Croats... Thank you!))

[@PaulBradbury]

There are good and bad things here, but overall it is pretty good

[@GuardiaNZD]

Mr Bradbury, I'm so utterly grateful for your videos, there is such a vast amount of negativity amongst croatian people to swallow on a daily basis so these are so refreshing and positive... I will now have a nice cold pint and enjoy some more, thank you very much

[@PaulBradbury]

Lots more coming if u want to subscribe

[@iadertina]

I could tell at least three similar stories myself (shame on me); money left in bankomat and returned to me by man with comment:"I knew it was some female", to stolen and returned wallet and credit card left on gas station somewhere between Zg and Zd, that was sent back to me... even bag full of my pupils exams 😢, that I sadly forgot in tram, and luckily returned to me because in the same bag there was a book with my school's library signature. We are country of few big thieves and lot's of decent people.

[@PaulBradbury]

Yes it is very common

[@j.p.9295]

So nice to hear such positive stories

[@PaulBradbury]

And there are many of them

[@irenakuki8752]

I had my 1st summer job when I was 16, on one of the islands. I ended up having on me 1 week sales, over 20k kn in my Hello Kitty wallet. In 1996 that was a lot for tiny business with me as only employee. Usually sales were much less but that week was extremely well & I was afraid to leave it at work, in case of break in. Owner would come once a week to collect money. So my well intended idea was to hide money at home until the owner comes. Long story short, complicated set of circumstances, my bag with hello kitty wallet ended up on the ferry with a girl i knew only first name and that she was heading to Zagreb & I also never met her before. No last name, address, no mobile phones, no social media. Key of the business & my home was in the bag too. Nightmare situation & I was terrified to tell my parents what happened but I had no option since I had nothing- zero cash & no access even to my apartment. My friends parent took me in & forced me to call home & report what happened despite fear. 10 days later friend of a friend comes to me to say that he got a phone call from Zagreb, girl who has my wallet called his grandmas house ( luckily small island) & said she has my hello kitty wallet & she apologized for not contacting earlier. She didn't look into my bag right away & once she finally took a look, she realized how horrific this must be for me. She sent my bag with someone, that someone gave to that friend of a friend, who brought it back to me. It was unbelievable. I never got to thank her in person.

[@PaulBradbury]

Amazing, thanks for sharing

[@CrvenkapicaIVZNG]

To je Hrvatsk, takve su Hrvatice i Hrvati. Nadajmo se da ce to tako jos potrajati. Da nas "njemacki duh" bar jos u sadasnjoj generaciji nece zaraziti.

[@CrvenkapicaIVZNG]

That's Croatia as I know it. That's how Croats are. Let's hope it stays that way for a while. Let's hope that "Das deutsche Wesen" will not infect us, at least not in this generation.

[@nblaise21]

This is true from my experience as well. I lost my wallet, the person contacted me and we met up. I wanted to give them some money out of gratitude, yet they insisted that they don't want any, so I ended up taking them out for dinner instead.

[@PaulBradbury]

Yes, so many people say the same

[@damirurovic2779]

I find that in Croatia, dignity is one of the most important things one can have. Even though we don't really talk about it or sometimes even think about it, we still care very much about our dignity. Taking something that is not yours is an instant loss of dignity. You just cannot do that, and still consider yourself or say you're a good and decent person. I just wish we were nicer to each other in everyday life and interactions. I guess it's hard to stay cheerful when you don't know how you'll make it till the end of month.

[@ivicapaic6284]

Nisi jedini,ima nas vise ,koga jebe prizivt cemo to.Ziv mi bio.🤗

[@PaulBradbury]

Good point

[@merlenevs]

Thank you for sharing your story Paul, I love your videos! I think it's interesting how majority of Croatian people won't even consider of taking orher people's laptops/wallets/or any other valuables, but still, we are one of the most corrupt countries in Europe 😮‍💨

[@ivicapaic6284]

Otima u nas nije briga za take sitnice.

[@PaulBradbury]

Interesting point

[@EdoModun]

Nearly 30 years ago, a group of colleague students from Italy came to Split and first day, after arrival, one of the guys forgot his backpack on the bus station. Naturally, in the backpack was a return ticket for the whole group. After arrival to the destination, there was a panicking regarding the missing backpack. After some time we returned to the bus station and it was there, with ticket and all the rest. It stayed there for more than 2 hours during working hours and hundreds+ people around it.

[@PaulBradbury]

Gteat story

[@natasamladenovic1765]

I once lost a wallet here in Cro where I live. I didnt even know Id lost it. 2hrs later a police woman rang my door and returned it to me. Someone had found it and brought it to the police station.

[@PaulBradbury]

Amazing but not unusual

[@Martina1192]

About 2-3 weeks ago, my daughter was on vacation in Tisno (island Murter) and she lost her phone somewhere. Had no idea where, at some concert somewhere. The next day she called us from her friend’s phone and told us. Luckily my husband had a good idea to call her phone. A police answered! Someone had actually turned her phone in to them! But that was a station in another village Vodice and it wouldn’t be easy for them to get there. At some point, by bus, yes, but not quickly. So I called the police station again and explained that it will be awhile until they get there, because they don’t have any transportation. The officer said no,problem, what’s their address there, we’ll drop it off little bit later. And they did couple of hours later!! I mean, how nice was that??!? So kind and helpful. And so nice of the person that found it to turn it in! :)

[@PaulBradbury]

Great story

[@damyankuzmic5605]

hi God bless YoU

[@PaulBradbury]

thank you

[@dalibork]

Thank you, mister!

[@PaulBradbury]

Lots more coming if you want to subscribe

[@dalibork]

@@PaulBradbury Already am. No worries about that from me

[@laxusmaximus573]

For a drunk guy, you remember things pretty well:)

[@PaulBradbury]

some days better than others

[@sasaseparovic9777]

Experience..one cannot buy it😂

[@wanderingwarrior5626]

Same in Montenegro!

[@ReVincentius]

Great, great story! Heard it before and still brings a smile to my face [I mean, who doesn't want to listen stranger (at least our Foraanin) saying good things about ourselves]. Only 1 smaaallll smaallllll mistake: who told you that Mr. Macan is a good friend. Dot. No question mark. Joke goes: how one can distinct when a politician is lying? - His lips are moving. Same goes for that guy... NHF IMHO

[@MelJandric]

Lol, in one of previous posts you mentioned beer also.... hmmm.... 🍺

[@soksb3766]

To je sasvim normalno i tako treba biti.

[@zeljkakrznaric2440]

❤

[@avarielhr]

All the people in Croatia are honest, except when they turn politicians. 😆 Anyway, I also have a story. When I worked at a bank on a project, we were at a different location than our HQ. Basically it was a half floor rental just for the project. And we had visitors from HQ, stakeholders, management and board of directors every now and then. In one of the meeting rooms, a wallet had been left by a female coworker from the HQ. It was found by the cleaning lady later in the evening, who said she doesn't want to touch it. 😄 I was the only one with her at that point, and I didn't have that problem. I have looked at the wallet, found a name, and opened our company's phone book. The person on the other side didn't respond (well, it was late for work anyway and we had only a land line number), but her manager was still there. So she gave us a cell phone number. We called, she was glad we found it, and sent her husband to pick up the wallet. He arrived some minutes later, as I was leaving for home and I've met him in the lobby. He thanked for the wallet, and took out 50 kuna right out of his wife's wallet to give it to me. 🤣 I said I don't need a reward, but I would gladly take it upstairs to the cleaning lady, who found it in the first place. The cleaning lady first thought that I was handing her my money. But it took a little convincing to take it, after I explained it was not my money, but from the co-worker's husband. ☺

[@funkyribar2301]

Vatro jesi to ti spasio laptop? :D

[@igor6270]

it's true... I've returned dozens of cell phones, a couple of wallets, cards, etc... Whenever I find something, I think how would it feel if I lost it? Just when I imagine if I lose the documents, how much time would you spend to restore all possible documents again. Here in Croatia, the problem is not the money in the wallet, but the documents, because while our bureaucracy does all that, you have to go through 1,200 offices, counters and give money for 8,000 stamps and lose a couple of years of life and nerves for all that :) I say in Croatia it's better to lose money than Croatian documents :)

[@PaulBradbury]

There are so many stories like this - it is one of the things I love most about being here

[@BokiHRV]

You haven't been in Dubrava I assume 😅

[@PaulBradbury]

Yes but if that is the most dangerous place on Croatia, how does it compare to most dangerous places in other countries?

[@BokiHRV]

Ofc, besides occasional incidents which are inevitable for any society, Croatia is truly very safe country and I am well aware and proud of that. Thanks to you Paul and people like you, even more people are aware of that, so thank you for promoting our beautiful country 🍻

[@osmaks1518]

Really? I never knew we were that nice.. Is there a second Croatia I don't know about?

[@PaulBradbury]

yes it is full of people with a more positive mindset

[@jimixjimix5097]

Same in Poland. There still ARE normal countries in Europe. The trick to remain normal is to resist the leftists and social-democrats, never ever give up your sovereignty, have your laws ABOVE the laws of the Union, be a landlord at your own home, avoid the western influence (people in the west will never understand the eastern European countries, many of whom were part of the Soviet sphere of influence), don't buy all the EU bureaucrats are trying to sell (it is mostly worthless and leads to increased dependency on Brussels and, most importantly, Berlin). Respect your traditions, history and way of life, open the doors for women, respect them and treat them well, respect hard work and daily bread. Understand and respect the basic principles life depends on, be generous, hospitable, be a patriot.

[@PaulBradbury]

I have always felt Eastern Europe to be safe

[@boredutopia]

The thing with lost property here is a fact that majority of common people are on minimal or average pay, so we all know how it feels when you lose or something valuable is stolen from you. So majority of people when finds something kinda puts themselves in a shoes of a person who lost it. And will try to find and return the property. Don't get it wrong but, but i do live in Zagreb and in night is safe to walk around in certain places, but in some others not so much, it all depends about the area, your gender plays role too, especially on weekend nights. Almost every weekend some guy gets beaten, thing in Zagreb is, if you walk alone in night you should mind your business. It all depends about area and group of people you could meet and where you were, I do remember times when gay guys had to leave gay bar in groups of 5 or more, coz around the corners groups of skin heads were waiting for them. Just 2 weeks ago I was almost robed in tram. It is like any big city, especially now when area around main train station is filled with illegal immigrants, local people who do small crimes, like pick pocketing.. to fully get zagreb you need live in it fully...it is not same being 16, 25 or 40 as me in Zagreb.. for me personally Reykjavik and Oslo are way safer than Zagreb for women, men, minorities.

[@PaulBradbury]

Interesting point on the lost property

[@tihomirrasperic]

Croatia is a safe country, but just be careful not to lose anything on Zagreb St. Mark's Square, even dear God can't help you from thieves there

[@ScepticOldMan]

What´s more typical: Croats being honest and caring or Brits getting hammered in public and losing control? 😀

[@PaulBradbury]

Haha, great question

[@timojarun7830]

Three things: 1st: Quit drinking! 2nd: That wouldn’t happen if you’ve lost your laptop in our Parliament (thinking of politicians, service staff excluded), 3rd: Thank you kindly for this video and good luck.

[@iamgrootwz2484]

I was work in Makarska and lost my wallet on the street few hours later i got message on facbeook hey i found your wallet and took in police station i collect it and nothing was missing 🥰

[@antel704]

Dear Paul, you see many beuty things in Croatia and nice friendly people. But lets all little wait few years and Croatia will be more better. We are now passing true transformation of seven milles steps with our gouverments in EU and free western and democracy rulle. Result of gouverments working will be better standard for all, like part of western, and Croatia people will stop to go in big number on west. Minimal wage been bad and our pro western gouverment step by step workin on that. Minimal wage made middle working class for all and giving optimism of hope for good living at Home. On free west knows for that now in Croatia, our Gouverment start to follow, and that is what will more relaxing living in Croatia, what is big diferent from our living in past.

[@Jung_hatte_recht]

"Our" Government is selling Croatia to Klaus Schwab and Germany!!!

[@PaulBradbury]

Let's hope for a better future

[@CrvenkapicaIVZNG]

Sorry, this post sounds to me almost like paid propaganda from German media, here in Germany where I have lived for 50 years. What is supposed to be better in Croatia if our Parliament submits to the dictates of Baerbock and von der Leyen? If we become German henchmen? Is that freedom and democracy? Hardly. I hope that those patriotic Croats who want to remain free and independent will prevail. I am a European patriot.

[@antel704]

@@PaulBradbury In unit free western we can see better future.

[@Jung_hatte_recht]

​​@@antel704 West = Transhumanism and WEF.

[@zdenkopecirep2812]

YEAH, ...AND ONE GIRL HAVE LOST A VIRGINITY IN CROATIA ALSO, AND SHE FIND IT, TOMOROW...

[@fritula6200]

Zdenko...... You just LOST all respect on the Internet as a humanbeing:

[@zdenkopecirep2812]

@@fritula6200 pogledaj statistiku koliko je krađa u rvackoj lijepoj njihovoj, prijavljeno u samo jednoj sezoni, i čkomi , anonimna spodobo

[@stjepanprskalo9886]

We also have tiefs, crazy peopel and generaly bad peopel,but we are still normal nation . West lost this , specialy USA. This is your country now and we must all stay normal because this is our paradise and we all must cheriss it