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You might think that people are either book smart or street smart. Well, in reality, the conjunction is different, and you have to change the or to an and because you can be both. And should be.
Folks have recently been sharing some of their street smarts in a now-viral Reddit thread that answered the question what is the best “street advice” you can give?
Bored Panda has collected some of the best bits of advice from the thread to craft the lovely curated list below, so go enlighten yourself before the street does that through practice.
Image credits: UnusualQuantity7260
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#1
If somebody tries to force you into a car *never* get in. Take your chances with whatever you're being threatened with. If you end up in the car your odds of survival are *exponentially* worse.
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#2
Never trust a water-filled pothole.
#3
If you're a woman in trouble another woman is far more likely to help you
If you’re not familiar with the terms, book smart and street smart describe methods of learning, both in the sense of how and from where something has been learned.
Book smarts are academic intelligence, gained through formal schooling and reading, while street smarts are gained through real-life experience in handling situations.
#4
Try not to look lost. Mind your own business. Keep walking.
#5
always trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings.
Ranger Kanootsen 9 months ago
The graveyard is full of people who wished they'd followed their gut instincts.
#6
Do not engage with crazy people
Ranger Kanootsen 9 months ago
This also works in reverse: if you act crazy, no one, not even a thief, will come anywhere near you. I've done this quite a few times.
Over recent years, education has run into a bit of a problem with these smarts. Namely, since adult education institutions have to adhere to certain industry standards in order to remain relevant, they have noticed how there is a shift to valuing experience over formal education. In other words, that diploma there is great and all, but how about you show us how [insert activity] is done here and now?
#7
Know your surroundings and don’t be afraid to “make a scene”, if you find yourself in a tough spot.
#8
Never get in a knife fight. The looser dies in the street and the winner dies in the ambulance.
#9
Pay attention to your surroundings. Don't keep your head down on your phone or wear headphones.
So, higher education had to step up their game. This in turn led to things like the formation of professional advisory boards that are there to help adapt the programs and their curricula to meet the changing standards. That and educational institutions are also gradually introducing competency-based and experiential learning.
#10
I see a few people say don’t make eye contact, I disagree.
You can walk and keep your head on a swivel. When you’re in a bad neighborhood looking around and either eye contact or making sure people see that YOU see them can be as much a deterrent as anything. Be alert
BoredPossum 9 months ago
Avoiding eye contact may signal that you are an easy target and making eye contact may be threatening. It all depends on the rest of your body language and location.
#11
When mixing with people in a social settings don’t give out personal details. It’s ok to be kind but very vague. Nobody needs to know what street you live on or where you work. If they don’t respect your boundaries, move along. ( had a stalker, from my Karate club ! Found out my location and would flip my mail slot on the door open, looking inside. Woke up one evening to him standing over me. )
shanila.pheonix_ 9 months ago (edited)
ok that story is absolutely terrifying. i just make up rlly fake deets about myself in situations where im uncomfy. in these situations, its good to know how to lie
#12
Be on alert if asked for innocent things, like telling someone the time, there are a hundred tricks you’ve never heard of
Experiential learning would likely come in the form of internships, practicums, and the like, but might also include things like industry projects that would feature academic programs and would utilize that knowledge. Another approach is assigning real-world business problems to students to solve, in turn getting employer feedback. And hey, if you exceed expectations, you can also try to apply and you’d have a reputation that precedes you.
#13
In a street fight, there’s no such things as rules. There is no fairness in a fight, do what you can to survive.
troufaki13 9 months ago
So they won't be coming at me one by one just like in the movies??? 🤔🤔🤔
#14
If someone were to god forbid pull a gun on you and rob you, just give them what they want. There's no reason to risk your life trying to be a hero all for your wallet and phone.
Šimon Špaček 9 months ago
That was in video from Metatron. "When somebody pulls a gun at you, this is the procedure. Step one, lean forward a bit. Step two, pull out your wallet. Step three, give it to the other person. Step four, take a step back."
#15
1. always rely on your gut feeling, this is the only primal instinct we have left.
2. if a stranger tells you that you have nice shoes. NEVER LOOK DOWN.
3. if someone pulls out a knife, run, run away!
shanila.pheonix_ 9 months ago
for the second point, is it so they can harm u/take things from u when ur unaware/distracted?
And, as it turns out, it’s not just the industries that are demanding such a targeted education. Students themselves are driving demand for more practical education. And the solution is a return to project-based learning, which on top of providing the necessary know-how, would enhance student confidence, communication and collaboration skills, all the while motivating them and forming the right attitudes towards work and employers.
#16
Look both ways before crossing
SkippityBoppityBoo 9 months ago
I do look both ways but the other night I was crossing over a cobblestone road, I have to look down because of my crutches especially on cobblestones. A car started reversing and almost hit me because they obviously hadn't checked their mirror. The car was stationary when I started crossing over btw. A guy shouted at them "OI STOP WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" and the car stopped. He asked me if was okay, I said "Yes, but thank you for doing that!". I was a little bit shaky after but thankfully wasn't hit. Car drivers need to be aware of pedestrians, and especially children, at all times.
#17
Be aware of your surroundings. You don't have to be paranoid, but just get a feeling for the general flow of things. If something about that flow changes, you should start looking for the reason behind the changes. That rule goes for basically anything.
David Paterson 9 months ago
I find this useful in traffic. Watching for drivers who are about to do something mad.
#18
If it’s rush hour, and every subway car is packed like sardines, never enter the one empty subway car. You didn’t suddenly get lucky. Trust me on this.
One of the seemingly bigger components of street smarts is security and safety. This includes knowing how to navigate your whereabouts, knowing what to do in particular life-threatening situations and maximizing your chances of getting out of trouble.
In the case of kids, it’s all about knowing their location and how long they’re planning on being there, making sure they stick with their friends and hang out in safe spots all the while avoiding shady neighborhoods. Oh, and trust your gut. Believe us, that goes a long way.
#19
Take nothing from anyone ever . Food , drinks , sweets.
The red apple.
Tucker Cahooter 9 months ago
Don't touch bottles marked "Drink Me", or cakes labelled "Eat Me" either
#20
Do not answer questions that no one asked.
DarkViolet 9 months ago
Don't answer questions that ordinarily would be none of their business anyway, no matter how charming they may be.
#21
Don't wear your politics on your shirt or head
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 9 months ago (edited)
Or on your car some places. There was a Top Gear episode where they drove from Miami to New Orleans. They painted each others cars with slogans like "Hillary for President" and things got dicy in Alabama.
And it’s pretty much the same for adults. The majority of the Reddit thread suggested minding your business, always being aware of your surroundings, and trying to not to look lost. All of these indicate that you’re in control and you won’t be drawing any unnecessary attention. There was also a huge emphasis on trusting your instincts—if you see something you wouldn’t want to get closer, then by all means move away. Better safe than sorry.
#22
There is no legitimate reason to stop for a stranger who needs to ask you something. Keep it pushing, you don’t owe anyone your attention. Criminals and con-artists rely on your politeness.
Owiella Freddie 9 months ago
I've had this happen to me soooo many times. Most of the time, it's some kiosk operator trying to lure you to what he's selling. I will pretend I don't hear them and keep walking by without skipping a beat.
#23
It's not worth getting into an altercation if you can help it. You might be bringing fists to a knife or gun fight.
#24
Never look lost
DarkViolet 9 months ago
If you're not sure where you're going, get to the nearest coffee shop, grab a brew, and get your bearings. It's much safer than standing on the street and looking confused.
Others suggested more situational solutions. For instance, if you’re a woman in trouble, it’s better to ask help from other women as it’s much more likely they’ll help you due to the empathy factor.
Another situation is to not engage with people asking you to look at your shoes as that might give them an opportunity to strike. Also, pickpockets love to distract their victims by asking for the time and the like.
#25
Trust must be earned. Never give it blindly.
#26
Navigate before departure, and look like you know where you're going.
Šimon Špaček 9 months ago
When you travel to shady place you don't really know, stopping to light a cigarette will give you few seconds to look around. Or to let "the weird one" walk further.
#27
lock your car doors as soon as you've opened your door to get in. immediately. not after you've gotten in, but as soon as your door is open for you.
keep your wits about you to gauge people on your path well before you have to pass so you have time to make the safest decision.
crossing the street can be conspicuous and draw unwanted attention- i'll pass walking closely on the street side of cars. oftentimes that's enough to keep erratic people from clocking you, and is inoffensive enough for shady people to give you a pass..kinda let's them know you're not scared exactly, but you're giving them space to do their business.
Happy Homemaker 9 months ago
I used to have a car that as soon as you turned on the engine the doors would lock. I loved that feature. I now do it out of habit in my new car.
It’s also strongly recommended never to take anything from anyone you don’t know. It can become an identifying factor for other troublemakers that they can take advantage of you as you have been “marked” by someone.
This also goes for finding things on cars. Things that might look like trash shoved into the car door handle could end up being lethal. Do not touch it with your bare hands and instead either use another object or thick cleaning gloves to remove it. It could be laced with poison.
#29
Don’t f**k around if you really don’t want to find out
spicy (she/he/they) 9 months ago
in the words of taylor swift: “play stupid games, win stupid prizes”
#30
While you may not see your kindness as a weakness, prepare for others to take it that way.
Be extremely careful who you give your energy to, and don't expect a return on investment.
Everyone is looking to turn your loss into their gain, and have no qualms of giving you a little nudge to speed up that process.
People who come up to you and pretend to be your friend, want something from you.
Be prepared to be tested with just about every new person you meet.
Anything you aren't willing to fight for, isn't yours.
It's always better to be alone than to be in bad company.
Crab mentality is very real. Never tell your plans to anyone, sometimes people will ruin them simply out of jealousy.
So, what are your thoughts on any of this? Do you have street knowledge that everyone would benefit from? Share your advice and stories in the comment section below!
And if you need more scrolling fodder, we have some more street smarts in the form of articles for you to go through.
#31
Don’t entertain ignorance & or match ignorance with more ignorance.
Barbara Turner 9 months ago
You mean like, you can't cure a jerk by making them aware of their jerkiness?
#32
Be emotionally prepared for trouble....sometimes going out of your way to avoid it will actually perpetuate it.
#33
You can save money by buying different kinds of nuts and mixing them at home.
What do you think ?
David Paterson 9 months ago
Some of these are good advice. Others are just paranoid. eg. You're more likely to be hurt by a friend than by a stranger.
Lisa Delgado 9 months ago
I had a guy come up to me in Home Depot claiming he left his wallet at home and if I would pay for his purchases he would cashapp me the money. He looked dumbfounded when I told him I don't have cashapp. Like I'm going to fall for that trick, buddy!
Freya the Wanderer 9 months ago
A few years ago I saw a man on the side of the road, and he looked really desperate. I stopped and offered help. He requested cash for a tow truck - claimed he'd left his wallet in a distant suburb. I smelled a rat. He even claimed the police had stopped and then driven on. That was when I knew his story was B.S. Police are going to help you one way or another. I spread the news far and wide about this.
Load More Replies... David Paterson 9 months ago
Some of these are good advice. Others are just paranoid. eg. You're more likely to be hurt by a friend than by a stranger.
Lisa Delgado 9 months ago
I had a guy come up to me in Home Depot claiming he left his wallet at home and if I would pay for his purchases he would cashapp me the money. He looked dumbfounded when I told him I don't have cashapp. Like I'm going to fall for that trick, buddy!
Freya the Wanderer 9 months ago
A few years ago I saw a man on the side of the road, and he looked really desperate. I stopped and offered help. He requested cash for a tow truck - claimed he'd left his wallet in a distant suburb. I smelled a rat. He even claimed the police had stopped and then driven on. That was when I knew his story was B.S. Police are going to help you one way or another. I spread the news far and wide about this.
Load More Replies...
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