4 D cell Maglites are incredibly tough bits of kit. If you have to use it as a weapon they are heavy because of the batteries and made of aluminium so they don’t bend, you don’t get up in a hurry after someone has accidentally hit you with one. For information purposes obviously 😜 Don’t hit people mmm’kay?

Ditto community centers, YMCAs, public college rec centers, etc. Gyms don't have to exclusively be fancy places that require a membership. Lots of the more public options offer cheap day passes.

Used to tell my fire crews this. If something does not feel right, back the hell out.

It's amazing what projecting the right amount of confidence can get you. I used to work at a bar. I wouldn't have admitted it then, but I carded way more based on someone's confidence than on how old they looked. I suck at estimating ages. If you hemmed and hawwed when deciding on a drink, asked a dumb question, acted jittery, or had too much bravado, I would have carded you. If you were confident but not overly so and had a normal conversation, I probably wouldn't have asked for ID.

This mindset kept me from getting rolled numerous times overseas.

I have travelled places like Jamaica and the Gambia by myself (am female) using local transport etc.. without problems. It is all about attitude and awareness of your surroundings.

My class does a writer's notebook and sometimes we have to write about pictures, and this was one of them.

I always look lost, even when I'm not

I traveled as a single female all across the country by myself. I was never in danger or threatened bc I always did two things. Keep your purse tightly clenched and walk fast with confidence. I’m from Flint Michigan, last year 67 murders. That’s frightening to many people for some reason. We just know the right hours and neighborhoods to enter.

Act as if. Look like you belong, they will think you belong

I do this when looking for my car on a parking lot !!!!

Another tip, if you are going through a rough area, look as dodgy as you can, makes you seem like you belong there and are generally left alone. I do this so much when walking alone that it's become second nature. One time when my girlfriend and I started dating, she came to pick me up and thought I was a drug dealer :D

When I was in boot camp, I was always told to move with a purpose. When I'm in a strange city I do that and look annoyed. People have never bothered me.

Story of my life

I got this as a college freshman in Brooklyn, NY. Act like you belong there, wherever you are.

I've always been told that. :)

Fake it till you make it baby!

This tip applies to life in general. I was tired of working dead end jobs, so I "fluffed" my resume a little and watched YouTube videos about interviews for a few hours. I got an interview for a job I was definitely QUALIFIED for, but lacked the necessary experience, because I knew how to talk the language to make it SEEM like I had the experience. I went from making minimum wage to $75k a year in four years doing that twice

That happened to me at a pub in Mallorca, 3 young girls asked to hang around me to keep the guys away. It was one of the girls birthday and some of the dudes wouldn´t leave them alone. I went only to see a live band but ended up staying till they shut.

always beware of other people always have a margin of their 'mistakes' ...because it will save your life

I would say trust your gut and know the area. I live in a region where it's common for people to break down and all they need is jumper cables. Someone is usually willing to help because that's what we do. We don't want to hear of someone freezing to death waiting for help for what could be way too long in our climate.

This is street smarts?? Interesting

Some establishments don't let you take your drink to the washroom. You can leave it with the servers and they'll keep it safe behind the counter.

And be extra careful if he looks like a tax agent. But you have little chance of escaping him anyway.

Don't run so fast that you end up faceplanting like I did when I was mugged by a pack of feral youths. Here's the timeline if you're interested: 1: got attacked 2: ran away 3: faceplanted 4: got attacked again 5: A & E minus my wallet and watch 6: hotel minibar

Or better, sadly, they say they have FOUND a wallet or phone and so you check.

Always trust you instincts. This should be number one. Your subconscious picks up hundreds of cues and notices things that you don't consciously take in but which result in a feeling of unease - even if you have no idea why. You may never figure out the 'why' but trusting your instincts and perhaps feeling a little silly for it is way better than potential alternatives.

It's great when cars automatically unlock when you put them in park. Like, could you not? You don't know what kind of area I'm in!

This is a good idea for taxis, too. The license plate and cab number. Get their name, too.

I don't even think you need to (or should) make excuses. A polite but confident "No. I won't do that" would probably work just as well.

This is especially important when you go to your hotel room for the first night. Check where the fire escapes are. At 3 in the morning with an alarm going off it could save your life.

....and don't help them lift a settee into the back of a van, even if they have a broken arm! No wait, did I dream that?

If you're in the hood wouldn't you know this? I know my city and have never said "Damn where am I, oh s**t...I'm in the hood"

And roll all of your windows down! It shows you have nothing to hide. This goes for any time of the day.

@Hannah Davenport . Privilege is not the same thing as not understanding something. If you don't know something, you should ask. Which is what they did. Get off your high horse and don't judge people who ask genuine questions.

Police stations is a better idea than going to the emergency department where they have real medical emergency to focus on. You can even go to a convenience store, like 7/11. Since they're prone to crimes I'm pretty sure they have police services on speed dial. They also have a lot of cameras, lights and police typically know where they are, too.

Or a clipboard. Less fun but I'd argue even more effective.

You never count your money while you're sitting at the table 🎶

It only takes about 5lbs of pressure on someone's neck to make them go unconscious, which only takes about 8 seconds, and your elbow can easily apply over 70lbs of pressure with the right hold.

This is where phones can really help. While looking at the map on the phone, chuckle a little as if reading a funny text.

If you see someone who's watching you and you notice them, and then they say "Can I help you?" with a grin, don't stop or say anything. Just keep going and when you're out of sight report it to police non-emergency. It's much easier to talk to non-emergency police, especially if the information is vague or unsure.

My bisexual self and my pansexual girlfriend knowing that we aren't immune to scams: oh no. My aro friends: oh yes.

Get them to pay half now and half later. At least they'll have something invested and if they're not satisfied with the outcome you can leave it as a half off discount and try again, if they want you to.