Lion in Winter

Actually, I know that. And I know other people who would do the same. And I know some who have (not for me, and not in this country).

NC Penguin

Out on the street I like to take a preventative attitude to personal safety.

i.e. carry one's personal belongings discreetly and within your sight (not in back pockets, not hanging in a bag on one's back)
not going to known hazardous neighborhoods after dark (or if you do, travel in a group and stick to major roads)
keeping one's eyes and ears open to odd behaviors by others
making an effort to blend in with one's surroundings so as not to draw attention to oneself

I've done a fair bit of independent travelling alone and have visited some neighborhoods with dodgy reputations in the US and have never been close to getting into problems.



NC Penguin

Lion in Winter

I like to take self-defence classes that teach you to kick 'em where it hurts.

NC Penguin

I like to fart in close proximity to those who attempt to grope me. This has proven very effective.




NC Penguin

Bob

not to seem critical or anything, but what if, what you see isn't what you thought was the case and you shoot some poor innocent arsehole that grabbed the gun off some other arsehole that was trying to mug him?

Bob

but those people often have no balls...

TRPardoe

re: My Merchant Navy days...

I have visited approximately 85 countries over 26 years. The dock area is not always the most salubrious. I have also lived in Manhattan.

Only once did I ever feel at risk, that was in Lagos (Nigeria) which is also the only place I ever saw a policeman commit an assault. NYC is the only place I ever saw a street crime (necklace snatch - 42nd Street).

At no time have I seen a gun drawn in anger or heard one fired outside a range or hunting environment.

Maybe the world is a safer place than we all think.

NC Penguin

I've seen people mugged in the London Underground (not with any violence though), inc. my best friend.

A couple of women attempted to steal from me in a dept. store in London once. I caught them at it and followed them to the next store where they were going to try that trick. Security guard in store took an interest but I doubt he did anything.

Similar thing nearly happened in the Paris metro one time. Again, caught the girl at it and screamed at her. She scarpered out of the carriage with her gang of cronies.

Shouldn't be lulled into a false sense of security that the world is a safe place. On the other hand, shouldn't take a paranoid view about matters either.

Lion in Winter

This is true, but I'm reliably informed that all their kneecaps are at about the same height from the ground, whereas their groins are not (makes it easier to aim), and that this is in fact a better place for a well-aimed kick, since most men will move to defend the groin first. So I'm told.

Ray

I said I carried a weapon ...no mention was made of what type in that paragraph.. the Florida Carry permit ...is for a concealed weapon not specifically a gun ..it can be anything...

Lion in Winter

What, like a tongue you mean?

Texas Brit

Unloading is easy. That's what that trigger thing is for, right?

Ray

Or a sharpened banana..... a weighted pomegranite..or even the extra strong trebor mints...

AmerLisa

Lovely. :scared:

And I agree, don't know which would be better...the criminals or the gun toting vigilantes....tough decision.

Bob

That's very true...a shift kick to the shins hurts like hell, while they grab the shin, kick the other knee, makes kicking them in the nuts easier as there on the ground by then...can just stamp on 'em...