Every environment has its threats. The urban one is no different. Only, the danger here usually comes in a form that’s much more familiar to us than those in, say, a desert or the ocean. It’s other people. However, when it comes to protecting ourselves in the city, most of us are still pretty bad at it.
But there’s an online discussion that can help. A week ago, Reddit user u/LegalCriminal69 asked people with “street smarts” to share advice that can help to survive in our concrete jungle, and quite a few came through with useful tips. Continue scrolling and you will find some of the best ones.
#1
Know that criminals rely on their victims to be polite and not cause a scene or draw attention to themselves. When something happens to you, scream and shout. Make it known you’re in danger.
Image source: brkh47, Anton Malanin
#2
If someone grabs you and starts walking you forcefully, collapse like dead weight don’t help them take you somewhere. Then scream bloody murder!
Image source: Gojogab, Karolina Grabowska
#3
I saw a lady make a video on this and I feel it’s important information to share. If you are a parent and you are in public and somehow you lose track of your kid DO NOT BE QUIET! Searching Quietly to avoid judgment or embarrassment will only lead to the further endangerment of your child. Immediately in the loudest voice possible start describing your child. The color of their hair, the color of their skin, what they are wearing, etc… most likely people around you will start looking for the child that fits that description and all the commotion will most likely (if in the case someone took the child) that person will not want to be caught and will release the child.
Image source: Muted_Reader_350, Анна Хазова
#4
No shame in running away from a fight.
Image source: SuvenPan, Mike Cox
#5
I’ve lived in the Bronx all my life. A lot of what I would suggest has been said already, so I’m gonna give two pieces of advice that haven’t been said.
First: have some cash on you. Not a lot, but enough to catch a cab home. Why? If you’re ever in a situation in which you’re running and hail a cab, a lot of independent cab companies (aka gypsie cabs) don’t take credit/PayPal, etc, and some even legit use their machines to steal card info (happened to me once). Have enough cash to pay someone to get your a*s home FAST.
Second: MEMORIZE. SOME. PHONE NUMBERS!
payphones may not be a thing anymore, but if you a*s ends up in jail, in a hospital, in any s**t situation, and you don’t have your phone, you better know at least 3 numbers by heart of people who are ride or die for you. The amount of people I have seen die at my job that we couldn’t reach next of kin cause their phone was damaged beyond usefulness and we had to bury as John Does is way to high. HAVE THAT F*****G NUMBER IN YOUR HEAD AND TELL IT TO US BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!
Image source: WanderingGenesis, James Sutton
#6
Always act like you know where you are going.
Image source: Grenuille, Anubhav Saxena
#7
If you’re feeling uncomfortable or uneasy, trust it. Whenever I’ve felt uneasy while walking through my neighborhood I’ve always seen something or heard of something happening.
Image source: Ok-Sound6585, Owen Lystrup
#8
If you are buying something and someone says “wait here. I’ll be right back with it” and they already have your money, they will not be back.
Image source: Foreign_Employer2771, Karolina Grabowska
#9
Stay THE F**K off your phone and pay attention to your surroundings. Best way to get knocked over the head and your pockets ran is with your nose in your phone and your earbuds in.
Image source: mediaG33K, Daria Nepriakhina 🇺🇦
#10
If you find yourself driving in a bad area and getting stopped at a stop sign or stop light, always leave room to get around the car in front of you. Even if that has to be the sidewalk, leave enough room to get out. Pay attention to who else is around you and if suddenly doors open and people start moving toward you just start driving and don’t stop.
They probably won’t chase you, at least not far. Easier to find another victim.
Image source: call_me_dopey, William Krause
#11
Grown men don’t ask women or children for help. They have an ulterior motive.
Grown men, if you happen to be the 1% that does approach women on the street for help, stop doing it and please stop acting surprised when we’re afraid of you. This is how we go missing.
Image source: forgotteau_my_gateau, August de Richelieu
#12
You didn’t see anything. Keep moving.
Image source: nryporter25, Raul De Los Santos
#13
Use windows and mirrors to check behind you when you walk places. Takes less time than pulling out your phone and using the camera.
Image source: NewLife_21, Metin Ozer
#14
Walk with confidence, walk straight and SLIGHTLY faster than your normal pace
Image source: A_FamousNobody, Krzysztof Hepner
#15
Don’t ever let anybody take you to a secondary location.
Image source: Gabrielmeh09, Ali Kazal
#16
Nothing good comes from a stranger approaching you and saying “can I ask you a question?” – you’ll be locked into a long conversation that ends with a plea for money
Image source: Ok-Appointment-3716, Vinicius “amnx” Amano
#17
Keep your wallet in your front pocket
Image source: anon, Marko Blažević
#18
There’s more than one way to get home. If you see something shady going on on your normal route you’re better off taking the long way than getting involved with whatever is happening.
Image source: RedPanther1, Andre Benz
#19
If you have to walk around a sketchy area don’t dress like you have anything worth taking.
Image source: black_flag_4ever, Marlon Schmeiski
#20
Be loud and show no fear.I was sitting behind a bar in the bed of my friend’s truck at night with a couple of my gal friends, we were waiting for our boyfriends to close out and meet us (honesty – we had smoked a joint and my friends have low tolerance). A man and his lady companion got out of their car and were arguing about something, she was trying to pull him back to their car.He started approaching the truck and pulled out what looked like zip-tie loops. My friends were laying down and I was sitting up. Gut immediately screamed alarm bells. I stood up and shouted “Get the F-ck back! Get back to your f-cking car!” I always carry a knife, mainly for work and discretely pulled it out of my pocket, and also pulled out my phone in the other hand aggressively shouted “Get the f-ck back, I’m calling the police.” (I had no cell service).The woman ran back to the car and started honking the horn. He ran back just as our boyfriends were walking up and they peeled out of the parking lot. Too dark to get a plate, but I still called in with their descriptions.
This was 25 years ago and I still remember every second.
Of course every situation is different, but be very loud and show confidence, *even if you don’t feel it.
Image source: bugsontheside
#21
Be aware, but not afraid, of your surroundings. S**t people look for the unwary and afraid, because they’re easier to bully/rob.
Image source: Casual-Notice, Teona Swift
#22
If you’re in a big town or a city and a group of kids surround you, keep your hands in your pockets and don’t let them get behind you. Some will try to distract you while others pickpocket you.
Image source: Melonmode, Jess Zoerb
#23
At any place where you’re stationary for a period of time (e.g. bus stop) assess the area and identify all possible escape routes. Also check if there’s anything nearby that you could use as a weapon to even the score. I often do the escape route thing if I’m in a waiting room like a doctors surgery, probably just because I get bored easily. I’m a people watcher too so I’m always aware of how many people are around and the energy each of them bring into the room.
Image source: flyhalcyon
#24
Don’t talk to any strangers and don’t let them stop you on the street. Just keep walking.
Image source: gmilfmoneymilk, Keira Burton
#25
1) If you have the opportunity sprint away to a public place with lots of witnesses in any sketchy situation
2) gunshots nearby (like a block or two away at most) find cover, get behind it and keep a low profile. Don’t look like a threat, don’t be a hero, try to find where the shots are coming from and quickly/discreetly get the f**k away
3) if you have to fight, assume you are fighting for your life. There is no honor, mfers aren’t here to have an honor duel they are here to hurt you. Punch, kick, eye gouge and especially bite in a street situation with a stranger. Everyones a gangster til you bite a chunk out of them.
4) be familiar with the area. Don’t go into the hoods if you aren’t known there/know how to carry yourself in a rough area. After living in the projects, carrying yourself with confidence and moving with a purpose are much more valuable than tryna rep your s**t if you’re not about that life. Know the best ways to get through/out of a bad neighborhood
5) don’t trust street vendors (really just hustlers). The best response is “sprekenzy deutsch” or “Hablo espanol” depending on the particular hustler.
6) most importantly, mind your own f****n business
Image source: thewaterglizzy, Wes Hicks
#26
Don’t cross a busy road 20ft from a crossing with a light.
Live another day.
Image source: keltoy1549, billow926
#27
ALWAYS. Be attentive to your surroundings.
The simplest, yet most important rule of them all.
Don’t have headphones in, making you unable to hear anything around you.
Don’t have your face up in your expensive phone, making you blind to your surroundings and showing off your easy-to-grabs.
Do, look around. Make it a habit to always look around, or look at that noise and figure out what’s going on around you.
That way, you’ll see those two dudes coming up to rob you, and you’ll hear the third one sneaking up behind you to jump you.
Another pro-tip. Have RBF. Resting b***h face puts people off.
Most people looking to rob you are just trying to intimidate you and get you to hand over your valuables, not a fight that could land them in prison with an AWADW charge or 2nd degree murder charge.
*and if you’re South American, the prisons are notoriously s**t so if you do get arrested it will be really s**t, and if you don’t get arrested they kill without discretion in certain SA countries.
RBF can be the difference between looking easy and looking like a problem.
And lastly, if you DO get robbed, and you have not been killed, cooperate.
The coward pieces of s**t that kill to steal will shoot first and ask questions second. Its these F***s that make it particularly important to go back to the first rule.
ALWAYS BE ATTENTIVE TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS. You’ll spot a mugging a block away, and react accordingly.
As for my credibility, I grew up in a particular South American Country. That’s all you need to trust my words.
Image source: _Agare, Mark Rohan
#28
Don’t ever have your eyes looking down at the ground. Keep your eyes looking what’s in front of you and attentive to your surroundings.
Image source: Alrucards_R3dwr8th, Bacila Vlad
#29
Never show fear or nervousness when you’re female and alone. If a man tries to draw you in, it sounds counter-intuitive, but you’re better off being friendly and in control than hostile.
“Hey hon! I am in a damn hurry – hope you’re good!” And laugh and walk faster as you wave and smile.
– woman who travels alone and has walked some scary places at 3am
Image source: relentlessvisions
#30
Don’t be the person to start a fight, it’s really not worth it
Image source: undergroundpankcakes
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