Walking alone at night

[PFSofPA]

I'm interested in feedback regarding set-ups and telltale signs of imminent attacks while walking alone. This would be like guy standing in doorway, passing someone on sidewalk, guy fumbling with keys at a car, asking directions,someone overtaking you from behind, etc. This isn't a what to do if, but what to look for and avoid.

[treelizard]

I'm interested in feedback regarding set-ups and telltale signs of imminent attacks while walking alone. This would be like guy standing in doorway, passing someone on sidewalk, guy fumbling with keys at a car, asking directions,someone overtaking you from behind, etc. This isn't a what to do if, but what to look for and avoid.

Are you talking about what to avoid doing when you're walking alone, as in, don't fumble with your keys at your car? Or what to watch for with other people's behavior? I just pay attention to my gut feelings, but I also cross the street if I notice I'm being followed, try to not walk between two people, etc. I think it can be easy to tell when someone really wants directions and when they're just messin' with you...

In general I just avoid walking alone. I try to drive whenever I can. Barring that, I try to ride my bike rather than walking.

[DickHardman]

I just pay attention to my gut feelings

thats not a good idea.

[Kiwi88]

why do you think paying attention to your instincts is not a good idea ?, your instincts are there for a reason.

[Garland]

Interestingly enough...I have a anecdotal (sp?...I'm tired, gimme a break) story about being aware while walking at night...with a friend.

Me and my buddy were walking down to the local bar, and he lives in a shitty area...right next to a bunch of motels, convienience stores, an old school, and a chainsaw sharpening place. (no shit.)

So...me and my pal (a recovering drug addict) are chilling and walking along the sidewalk, and my buddy, being a goofy ass, shouts out something like "Kumbaya!" and immediatly draws the attention of some scraggily looking derelict, who literally pops up from where he was sitting in front of the old school building and starts walking towards us.

The guy's younger looking (22-27...mangy so it's hard to tell, lurpy at about 6'2'' maybe 175 lbs), and immediatly asks us if we're holding any drugs he can buy. My buddy says no, and starts to converse with the kid...who tells us he's got some hits of acid. My friend keeps chatting him up, a bunch of bullshit, shows him his 6 month chip and shit...meanwhile
the kid starts scuffing his feet as he's walking with us a little more and more slowly like he's trying to fall behind me. So I walk further to the right slightly, putting him at about 8 feet from me, and sandwiching him between me and the road, and slow my pace until the guy is in between me and my pal...leaving me about 5 feet behind him.

The guy freaked me out...he was cranked up on drugs...he was lurpy, he was being overly friendly...I let my friend chat him up while I kept an eye on him...when we got to the club...my pal told him to go in the wrong door...and the guy got snagged up by security while me and my pal finished our smokes and walked calmly into the club through the right entrance.

[DickHardman]

why do you think paying attention to your instincts is not a good idea ?, your instincts are there for a reason.

sorry, but that doesnt apply to women.

[treelizard]

sorry, but that doesnt apply to women.

LOL! That's what the bad guys want their victims to think, too.

[DickHardman]

LOL! That's what the bad guys want their victims to think, too.

thats not true either.

[PFSofPA]

Garland makes a good point. He sensed and anticipated a potential for an attack. He started distancing and positioning himself, reading the situation.

These scenarios can apply to either sex.

Example: You're passing a guy walking in the opposite direction on the sidewalk, just when he passes you, you should be aware that he could potentially punch you in the back of the head stunning or knocking you out. You have to be vigilant and make sure he keeps going and that the danger has passed. This could be construed as paranoia, but its the best defense.

[johnj]

We all know that awareness and avoidance are essential and probably primary strategies. And instincts are there for a reason as Kiwi88 pointed out. Read "Gift of Fear" by Gavin DeBecker, many examples of assaults etc. were avoided because of instinctual behavoir.

As far as spotting potential dangers, look for mannerisms i.e. jitters Avoid the path of someone who has their hands in their pockets as well as groups. Obscenities between individuals is something to watch for, a car passing you more than once. The most logical thing to do is walk in well lit areas or in daylight, away from corners or shrubs that can block your view from a mugger. Obviously where and when you walk is also a major factor.

[osopardo]

What makes you a "hard target"?

From Paxton Quigley's website - especially directed towards women;

Hold your head up, be visibly alert, and look around constantly.
Walk with energy, confidence and purpose.
Hold your body in an erect, assertive posture.
Carry your pepper spray at the ready in your strong hand.
Turn your shoulder bag so the opening is turned towards you.
Cross the strap of the shoulder bag over to your opposite shoulder. A fannypack is even better.
No expensive-looking jewelry should be visible.
Wear comfortable walking or running shoes - leave those heels at home.
Carry few packages or none --- have your purchases loaded into your car at the store's loading dock or ask for assitance from the store's personnel --- it's a free service.

BTW - instincts, gut feelings, etc. are rooted in our innate instinct for survival, unfortunately we've come to "socialize" those feelings to the point where they become ineffective. We become so politically correct that we quell our "unfounded" fear and potentially risk our lives so as not to appear rude. (e.g. a woman will get into an elevator alone with a strange man in spite of her gut feelings not to do so because she'll convince herself that her feelings are not only unfounded, but even rude. We'll carry on conversations with unsavory characters because we don't want to offend them or even possibly anger them. Predators count on this reticence on our part.

[Blue Wave Gym]

this may sound paranoid but

whe n iwas a bouncer I just assumed any time a person was in punching range about an arms lengt or less I would be sucker punched at any time.I still use this as a guide just assumed you will be attacked especially if it's a man and react like you've done so many time before in the ring or street(assuming you have real life self defense or sport combat experience)
always remeber once someone gabs you or tries to hit you hte switch has ben thrown and they are the enemy now and you must take them out immediately with no thought or emotion.

[PFSofPA]

Blue Wave Gym.

When I bounced I ALWAYS took the approach that I was gonna get suckered. I rarely talked to a patron without one hand fiddling with a shirt button or ear, etc.I never wanted to get caught off guard.

[Blue Wave Gym]

ok this is a wierd way to ward off one attacker but....

If you're not big right before he grabs you grab him any say oh yea I want it too I just got done at the bathhouse with the fellas now I'm gonna ream you dry, then start jerking it in front of him.
Or if you're a biger guy just as he starts to make a move whip it out and start jerking it and say oh yea you're going to like this bit*h it will be just like old times when I was stirring fudge in the slammer, I miss those days. You sure have a pretty mouth.

I'm sorry if I offended anyone on here just trying to add a little humor
but you never know it might work

this remind of a kid I went to school with he worked at a video place and one night a large sweaty man in overalls came in returning porn and grunting loudly lol

[Uke]

From Paxton Quigley's website - especially directed towards women;

Hold your head up, be visibly alert, and look around constantly.
Walk with energy, confidence and purpose.
Hold your body in an erect, assertive posture.
Carry your pepper spray at the ready in your strong hand.
Turn your shoulder bag so the opening is turned towards you.
Cross the strap of the shoulder bag over to your opposite shoulder. A fannypack is even better.
No expensive-looking jewelry should be visible.
Wear comfortable walking or running shoes - leave those heels at home.
Carry few packages or none --- have your purchases loaded into your car at the store's loading dock or ask for assitance from the store's personnel --- it's a free service.

BTW - instincts, gut feelings, etc. are rooted in our innate instinct for survival, unfortunately we've come to "socialize" those feelings to the point where they become ineffective. We become so politically correct that we quell our "unfounded" fear and potentially risk our lives so as not to appear rude. (e.g. a woman will get into an elevator alone with a strange man in spite of her gut feelings not to do so because she'll convince herself that her feelings are not only unfounded, but even rude. We'll carry on conversations with unsavory characters because we don't want to offend them or even possibly anger them. Predators count on this reticence on our part.

Nice post.