CuriositiesAUG 9, 2021

People With 'Street Smarts' Are Sharing Advice That Can Save People In Dangerous Situations (40 Tips)

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Growing up downtown as opposed to a quiet suburb is a vastly different experience. We could spend hours debating the pros and cons of urban life but let's leave that discussion for another time and focus on something different instead. 'Street smarts.'

We at Bored Panda discovered a few posts on Reddit (one by u/breadedsnake and another by u/ForcupinePucker) with a very similar angle: both OPs asked users to share tips that can help people stay safe in the city. And since some of the entries are so useful, we thought why not combine them into a compilation? You never know when you might need them!

#1

People With 'Street Smarts' Are Sharing Advice That Can Save People In Dangerous Situations (40 Tips)

Street smarts to give your kids: if you get lost, find the closest adult with kids.

I saw this in action once at Disneyland when a 4 year old kid approached me and my kiddos while we were eating. She joined us very calmly, introduced herself, and said her parents gave her the above advice. I heard her parents shouting her name not long after, and the relief on their faces was a sight.

Aguacero7

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465points

#2

If I'm in an unfamiliar city, I'll explore freely every neighbourhood as long as there are women and kids around. Most mums don't hang outside with their kids if the street/area is unsafe.

This worked very well for most throughout Latin America, Europe and Asia.

=Xiaozhu

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409points

From the first day of his presidency to his campaign for reelection, Donald Trump has been shouting about crime in the United States. Trump vowed to end “American carnage” in his inaugural address in 2017 and in 2020, he ran for reelection on a platform of “law and order.”

But according to the Pew Research Center, it's difficult to say for certain how much crime is there in the U.S. The two primary sources of government crime data – the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) – both paint an incomplete picture.

#3

Adults DO NOT ask children for help.

ninten-dont

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348points

#4

If the situation doesn't feel right, it's not right. Trust your spidey sense.

E_911, Gadjo_Niglo

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339points

u/breadedsnake, the author of one of the above-mentioned Reddit posts, told Bored Panda that, "Before I made the post, I was actually thinking about sneaking out at night to walk to one of my friend's house and then I realized that I would probably get kidnapped considering that I don't really know how to act."

"I guess you could say I made the post so I could get to know some stuff and also get some free Reddit karma."

The main thing that u/breadedsnake took away from all the answers is to stay alert whenever you're in a dangerous area. "[People stressed that it's important] to look around you and focus on more than what's in front of you; someone can run up from behind! And don't try to be a superhero—if you're seeing someone being attacked, just assume they started it and don't get involved with anything you don't have to."

#5

Walk fast and look pissed off.

Heroshade, Brian Evans

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317points

#6

If you have a random cop come to your house on The night before you leave for Europe with your family, don’t tell him your going away until you call his superior to make sure he’s a cop.

Your welcome you filthy animals

Coughlan16

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269points

In u/breadedsnake's opinion, everyone should have at least a little bit of street smarts.

That's true. But luckily for our health, property crime in the U.S. is much more common than violent crime. In 2019, the FBI reported a total of 2,109.9 property crimes per 100,000 people, compared with 379.4 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

The most common form of property crime in 2019 was larceny/theft, followed by burglary and motor vehicle theft. Among violent crimes, aggravated assault was the most common offense, followed by robbery, rape, and murder/non-negligent manslaughter.

#7

If a group of people suddenly get down, so do you.

aardvarkheart

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267points

#8

You might be "correct" when you have the right of way, but you're still the one that's going to be dead when you get whacked by the car if you're walking or on your bike.

Dajerts

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264points

#9

If you're walking and someone approaches, don't break stride. You can carry on a conversation while walking, but people who are looking to proselytize, sell you something, or mug you will want you to slow or stop to address them.

If they want to chat, make them keep up with you. You can even tell them that you're in a rush but would love to talk and walk.

They'll likely find someone more stationary, because if you can make a person slow, you can make them stop. If you can make them stop, you've already adjusted their priorities and placed yourself at the top.

It's a subtle power game. Keep going where you're going, and you retain your power. Stop and cat, and you've given it up and opened yourself to possible problems.

Diablo165, Brian Evans

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262points

#10

Having good manners, and speaking with respect, will keep you from getting in trouble you didn't know was there.

Sin117

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255points

#11

Just because someone is friendly with you, doesn't mean they have a good heart.

unknown

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252points

#12

Lock your doors as soon as you’re in your car

kothecat, Paul Kehrer

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252points

#13

Always ask for only one scoop of ice cream first because they make single scoops bigger, then act like you changed your mind and ask for a second scoop. They will be pressured to match the size of the first scoop, providing you with a massive amount of ice cream.

gustavoramosart, Clive Varley

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222points

#14

Never flash your whole wad of cash in a public place while paying for something. Keep a few bucks loose in one pocket for spending. Keep the majority of your cash in a separate pocket. Don’t open a wallet full of all your money where other people can see you.

MrsDoctorSea, Paul Sableman

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214points

#15

Wear shoes you can run the f**k away in.

Crocutaborealis, giasco

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206points

#16

Carry a fork with you. if someone approaches you, say “lord, thank you for this meal I’m about to have” and charge at them with the fork

_HorseInTheHospital

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198points

#17

If you are walking alone at night and you feel like you’re being watched/followed. Start talking to yourself.. loudly about crazy shit. Make it a conversation even.

Omg did you SEE her dress?

That dress was so crazy long. Like how could she walk? Let alone walk in that grocery store!!

And those cheap plastic shoes!!

I own those cheap plastic shoes!! Are you saying I’m Cheap!!

If the cheap plastic shoe fits honey!

I’ll admit to doing this. I used to work graveyard shifts and you gotta be aware. Most people no matter how bad try to avoid crazy. Crazy will hurt you back.

MissMurderpants

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188points

#18

If you are forced to walk through a bad/dangerous neighborhood, keep your chin up and maintain a confident and comfortable look on your face.

Nothing screams “abuse me!” more than an out-of-place person waking around with their chin down, looking at the sidewalk.

I learned this after visiting a new girlfriend many years ago in a bad section of Philly. I was walking down the street towards her house and a local female walking by my said, “keep that chin up around here, white boy.” The more I considered that advice, the more logical it sounded.

reality_beast

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182points

#19

Eye contact. A lone assailant will often use the element of surprise to their advantage. If you’re walking alone and someone is following you, make eye contact to let them know that you are aware of them. This will often dissuade them from attacking.

This tactic has worked for me in the past.

MildlyobsessedwithSB, zoetnet

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176points

#20

This reminds me of a comedian who was saying the best way to stay safe in a rough neighborhood is to fake a Russian accent cause Russians are terrifying.

midnightsy

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171points

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