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Streetwise - Page 3

Being streetwise varies with where you are, there are different rules with each culture. The only universal rule I can think of it just being perceptive, most trouble can be avoided by paying attention to your surrounding.

As for fighting, I'd rather just avoid a fight. I know what I can do to someone, but I have no idea what others can do to me. If they've got buddies in the next house and I've just crippled their mate, I'm in a bind. It's best to attempt to diffuse a situation.

If it comes to violence, make sure you know what you're doing. Assuming you've never been in a real fight before, it would be best to just take the beating then call the police.

Streetwise

I have never heard advice like that before. Suppose the beating you will get leaves you raped, dismembered or so badly damaged that you reach the point of death? I would say that escape at any cost is necessary. Hit and run.

Streetwise History & Civil Business Politics

The problem is that if they're just looking to give you a beating it will be worse if you attempt to fight back and fail. It was advice for those not capable of defending themselves.

Page 3 Streetwise

The difficulty is ascertaining what they actually plan to do. In my country I would use every measure available to escape because most times such cases ends in death. I believe the first and best part of avoidance is to escape. Escaping may be doing things that leave you not even detected by the enemy so there isn't even an incident to speak of at all.

You did rightly say that you need to be aware of your surroundings. I find most people that fall prey to criminals often do not consider the routes they take to get to a destination, the routine of their movements so they are so predictable and just the mere look of 'I am a victim - hurt me'.

Streetwise

An example of when to take the beating.

A few years back I was visiting my aunt, uncle, and cousin in Belfast, Ireland. My cousin and I were standing around with a few of his friends when three British soldiers came up and their sergeant told us to disperse. I objected and what followed was me getting a rifle butt first in the stomach then the face. Needless to say I feel to the ground and decided that getting up would be a bad idea. Despite that, I got a boot to the ribs.

Taking the beating earned me four broken teeth and two cracked ribs. Running or fighting back would probably have gotten me shot and killed.

On a positive note, something funny did happen when they pulled out my identification.

Streetwise

I appreciate your sharing, but you do realize that was far from street smart right?

Streetwise - Page 3

In hindsight it probably wasn't the smartest move I've ever made, but I wasn't expecting that kind of response from British soldiers especially since the cease fire. It turns out that it also suprised the Ministry of Defense. Apparently British soldiers kicking the crap out of a US soldier unprovoked is frowned upon.

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Things I have learned in my extensive travels.

DO not act like a tourist. Walk with your head up and confidently. I have walked in places where I am clearly the outside yet people avoid me. Granted I am a little on the big side and male so I have some advantage there. Keep you cash in a place where one normally does not carry it. I , myself, keep my wallet in a front pocket mainly because it is hard to pickpocket you that way.

Have a weapon. Most important know how to use that weapon. If it is keys between the fingers it is still a weapon. IF you are approached keep walking. If they put a hand on you hit them quick and hard do not let them have a chance to get the first blow in. I have found that they are less likely to continue a attack if you draw first blood. If you can run into a open shop. You can call the police from there if needed. Most locals are known by shop owners so they probably will not follow you in.

Like others have said keep a watch of where you are heading and know where you are going. If you walk around acting lost your gonna get attacked if your in a bad area or even if your in a good neighborhood and some bad people are there. If you act like you belong there your less likely to have problems.

When I travel places I do not care where I go or where I am. I always carry a weapon but I have not had to use a weapons since 1984. People get out of my way and they are the locals. I have walked down the streets of New York city and never get touched. On a crowded sidewalk that is very interesting.