Some of the worst things that can happen to us in our daily lives include getting attacked, mugged, or harassed simply while on your way to work, school, or walking back home. And, unfortunately, far too many of us Pandas have horrible experiences of this that we would love to never happen again. Me included.
Some street smart redditors have been sharing their tips about safety, what to be aware of, and how criminals think in a viral thread on r/AskReddit, started up by user u/Jamestusk007. Scroll down to read their advice, upvote the tips that you found the most useful, and if you’re feeling brave, share your own insights about being savvy outside. Meanwhile, be sure to read Bored Panda’s interview with a New York police officer about what it’s like to be on patrol, why it’s vital to stay grounded, and how it’s important to develop genuine trust and respect in the local community, not just catch ‘the bad guys.’
#1
Trust your gut. You see people acting normally your whole life. You know what it looks like. If you see something that makes you uncomfortable, there’s a reason, even if you don’t know what it is yet.
Image source: Grindler9, Engin Akyurt
#2
Look both ways crossing a one way street…. there may always be one idiot
Image source: Sanooksboss, Tim Douglas
#3
Teach your kids how to effectively draw attention to themselves if they are in danger. A screaming child gets nobody’s attention.
I was taught, if a stranger ever grabbed me, to scream at the top of my lungs, “LET GO OF ME! I DO NOT KNOW YOU!”
Image source: Bread_Criticism, Keira Burton
#4
Don’t post location photos until you return home. People shouldn’t know when your house is empty.
#5
Girls, don’t be afraid to fight as dirty as you need to. nut shots, scratching eyes, whatever you have to do, all bets are off. There is absolutely no honour if a guy is trying to grab or detain you or pull you somewhere, so he deserves none.
if you are pinned down, smash his head with a headbutt. The part of your skull that’s right near your hairline is what you want to impact his face with. other than that, use your elbow, which will strike harder than your fist might if you are a small person.
Image source: No-Bewt
#6
My dad preached “Focus sound more than any other sense. Your eyes can only see a 180°, your ears can see 360°.” Saved my life more than once!!
Image source: Tiberius Starcher, Dylann Hendricks | 딜란
#7
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Image source: Galloping_Scallop, Rūdolfs Klintsons
#8
You don’t owe anybody anything, including conversation. People who want to take advantage of you will usually start by initiating unsolicited conversation.
Image source: apatheticnihilist, Christina Morillo
#9
Women. Don’t be afraid of being impolite if you feel threatened.
Don’t think “oh no I might hurt his feelings” or “well that one time I was told I over react so maybe this is another one of those times”.
No. If someone isnt a pos they will realize that the situation was misinterpreted. If they’re a rapist murderer, they will most likely make a big deal about how they’re not going to hurt you. Don’t be afraid to make a scene if you’re afraid.
Image source: ToastedMaple, Bucography
#10
Never talk money on public transportation, and never count money in a parking lot.
Image source: Sn0wpooka, Dennis Siqueira
#11
Look like you know where you are going even when you don’t. If you have any misgivings about a particular street or area, go with it. If you do have to walk through an area where you are being scoped acting like you are insane and barely keeping it in makes you not worth the trouble. Don’t worry about being polite if approached but don’t be an a-hole. If an area smells like piss no one gives a f**k what happens there. Never fall for the I need 20 bucks for sick kid/locksmith/medicine/tow truck scam. Never pull out your money or wallet to check it. Even if you put it back they will know where it is. If you get bumped and feel for your wallet its also a cue for a pickpocket.
Use reflections in windows to see behind you and possibly around a corner.
I’m glad I grew up in a big city. Travelling around the world was much easier than for others I’ve seen.
Image source: Malignantrumor99, Yogendra Singh
#12
Never underestimate anybody, and i mean both ways, good and bad.
Image source: [deleted], Charles Deluvio
#13
Give people a nod. Like giving a friendly “what’s up” and keep minding your own business. I usually just say “what’s up” if I’m in a sketchy area (I grew up in one). The nod and tone of voice being friendly usually lets people know you aren’t a concern.
I also worked in the hood, filled with Mexican gangs. I was stocking shelves, and said what’s up to this giant ass dude, with face tats, and a big 13 tattooed on his head.
I said “what’s up, bro” and just kept minding my own business, we ending up talking for a good few minutes about what chips were best.
But it’s the nod and tone, IMO that goes along way. Especially if you’re in someone’s “territory”, it’s a way of showing respect and recognizing those around you.
Image source: _AskMyMom_
#14
If you feel like you’re being followed, take a selfie. pickpockets disappear REAL fast when you do that
Image source: Amy Wooldridge
#15
If you need to scream for help, don’t yell HELP! Yell FIRE! Instead. Not all people who hear a yell for help will think it’s genuine, or they don’t want to get involved. When you yell fire, everyone wants to get out of the building in case theirs is the one on fire.
Image source: Vanessa Richardson, Liza Summer
#16
I dunno if this is street smarts but so many people lack situational awareness.
By that I mean they are not being fully aware of their surroundings. Which has been made even worse with phones and headphones.
If you sense anything dodgy trust that instinct and do something about it. I’d rather cross the street and look paranoid that get mugged. Or even just run. This group of guys were following close behind me when I was walking home from the pub alone. They could have just been walking the same way but as soon as I hit a corner I sprinted a hundred metres or so and didn’t see them again.
I don’t care how strong you are you are losing 99% of the time versus 3 people.
Image source: qt-uwu, Brooke Cagle
#17
Don’t use the top blanket in a hotel bed. We don’t wash them very often
Image source: Mitzydaddy, Markus Spiske
#18
Act like you’re in a hurry and less people will want to bother you.
Image source: Itsnotaboutthefiat, JÉSHOOTS
#19
If you’re homeless, don’t let anyone know where you sleep or where you stash your stuff. It’s okay to meet up with a buddy and spend the day with them, and it’s okay to trust the staff at the shelter, but from the first day to the last day you’re homeless, don’t let anyone find your stash of stuff.
Once your stash is found, other homeless folks will usually clean it out or homed people will usually throw your stuff away.
Similarly, don’t let anyone know where you sleep and try not to bother anybody. If you bother people, or you consistently sleep in your car somewhere, eventually someone will notice and that’s always a recipe for trouble.
Keep safe, keep secret, and keep out of sight.
Image source: CedarWolf
#20
Match their crazy. Dude pulled a knife on me on the train in Chicago 9mos pregnant & !stood up & said double homicide?
Image source: Mynameiskay
#21
If someone is posing as a cop and you get a funny feeling, always look at their shoes! That’s often the forgotten part of replicating a uniform.
Image source: becccaaaa
#22
Memorize phone numbers !!!! So underrated nowadays, you never know when you will need it
Image source: priscilanevarez88
#23
Walk with purpose and stare past/through people, everyone will move out of your way.
Image source: YungEazy
#24
When visiting a new city, pick a landmark that you can see from anywhere. Maybe it’s a big tower in the downtown core. Maybe it’s a mountain in the distance, or the city is on the shore of a lake, or there’s a river or highway that cuts through in a clear and logical way. Great. That’s your orientation now. Wherever you go, you’re not lost. You have that landmark. Maybe it’s further away, maybe it’s closer, but if you know what direction the landmark is, you can’t really get turned around. Now take it a step further. As you walk around, pick a landmark in the neighborhood you are moving through. Maybe it’s a corner store, or a park, or a prominent intersection, or a house with a funny roof. It doesn’t matter. Between the big city landmark and the smaller neighborhood landmark, you’re basically triangulated to a pretty narrowly defined area. You can explore with a lot of confidence just by keeping you bearings on which direction your two landmarks are, and if you’re moving closer or further away from them.
Image source: faceintheblue
#25
People make pickpockets’ livelihood so easy. Just check out how many phones are in people’s back pockets, how many handbags dangle by the side, easily accessible.
Always put valuables in an inside, preferably zipped pocket. If you in a notorious pickpocket area like Paris or Naples, you can even carry a fake wallet with monopoly money in an outside pocket.
Image source: Cause_Such, Emil Kalibradov
#26
Pretend to be crazy, talk to yourself and swear loudly, no one knows how to handle crazy.
Image source: Amanda Brown
#27
Look both ways before coming out of a doorway if you think you’re in a bad neighborhood. Think you’re being followed? Go down the block, make a left. Make a left. Make a left. You eventually come full circle. If the same person is behind you, you’re definitely being followed. Be confident and walk tall. Bad guys typically try to pick on the weak. Typically if you’re not scared, they think there’s a good reason for that, ie. packing heat.
Image source: TheRoadsHereSuck, Kei Scampa
#28
Don’t always take the same route home
Image source: rebekahxo
#29
If you think that someone is looking at you, look at another direction and if they look in the same direction, they were looking at you.
Image source: cuckoos, Norma Mortenson
#30
Pay attention to the ppl at parties who are not drinking.
Image source: labradoodle1992, picjumbo.com
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