Social IssuesDEC 9, 2021

30 People Are Sharing "Street Smarts" Everybody Should Know

Mantas Kačerauskas and Jonas Grinevičius

138

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

30 People Are Sharing "Street Smarts" Everybody Should Know

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.

Grindler9, Engin Akyurt

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254points

#2

Look both ways crossing a one way street.... there may always be one idiot

Sanooksboss, Tim Douglas

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240points

#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!"

Bread_Criticism, Keira Burton

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231points

Above everything else, maintaining constant vigilance seems to lie at the core of surviving any dangerous encounters. Preempt any risks by not getting into those situations at all or knowing how to defuse them. And, like one redditor wrote, “Don’t worry about your pride, run.” Though that’s easier said than done when you’re panicking and fearing for your life.

New York police officer Sadaka Kitonyi told Bored Panda what it’s like to work as a patrolman. He explained to me that the foundation of being a quality officer begins with taking care of one’s health, both physical and mental.

“A good cop must have a healthy lifestyle—and physical health creates mental stability,” he said that leading a healthy lifestyle is about more than just health. A police officer who is sharp, always in control of their emotions, can defuse tense situations and solve things diplomatically before things get out of hand.

#4

Don't post location photos until you return home. People shouldn't know when your house is empty.

Ari Jai, Lisa

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206points

#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.

No-Bewt

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203points

#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!!

Tiberius Starcher, Dylann Hendricks | 딜란

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196points

“As a patrolman, our main responsibility is to answer and respond to 911 and radio calls—very reactive, yes, but the unique thing is we can all choose how we do our job in between answering calls,” the officer said.

“Some guys look for guns and drugs or guys with warrants. This is a proactive approach and that’s great—it’s needed—but I choose to take that time to develop relationships,” he said.

“I check in on businesses and residents and get out of the car for a few minutes. It may not be proactive in preventing crime, but it is proactive in developing trust and respect with the community because that’s an important part of policing too,” Sadaka told Bored Panda.

#7

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Galloping_Scallop, Rūdolfs Klintsons

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186points

#8

You don't owe anybody anything, including conversation. People who want to take advantage of you will usually start by initiating unsolicited conversation.

apatheticnihilist, Christina Morillo

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180points

#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.

ToastedMaple, Bucography

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178points

“I don’t sit or live in an ivory tower, I'm on the ground level with everyone else out here. I'm not an administrator calling shots from the top or some outsider looking in just to make comments and posts on social media for attention,” he said that he’s in the trenches, day in, day out.

“I’m out here—walking up and down these streets with the residents and business owners day in and out. I look at it like this, I have the ability to ruin someone’s day or make it. I don’t know about you but I like to see people smile.”

#10

Never talk money on public transportation, and never count money in a parking lot.

Sn0wpooka, Dennis Siqueira

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171points

#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.

Malignantrumor99, Yogendra Singh

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137points

#12

Never underestimate anybody, and i mean both ways, good and bad.

[deleted], Charles Deluvio

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129points

#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.

_AskMyMom_

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127points

#14

If you feel like you're being followed, take a selfie. pickpockets disappear REAL fast when you do that

Amy Wooldridge

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118points

#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.

Vanessa Richardson, Liza Summer

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114points

#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.

qt-uwu, Brooke Cagle

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113points

#17

Don’t use the top blanket in a hotel bed. We don’t wash them very often

Mitzydaddy, Markus Spiske

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113points

#18

Act like you're in a hurry and less people will want to bother you.

Itsnotaboutthefiat, JÉSHOOTS

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110points

#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.

CedarWolf

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107points

#20

Match their crazy. Dude pulled a knife on me on the train in Chicago 9mos pregnant & !stood up & said double homicide?

Mynameiskay

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107points

138