So, I (almost) got mugged.

[Kilgengoor]

I guess there must be some other topics on the subject, but I figured out I'd better start a topic on my own.

I consider myself an aware and cautious person. Despite the fact that I'm from a small city (Andorra, if you are curious) where crime on the streets is pretty rare, and currently living in Barcelona (which has a very high immigration index, plus the usual dickheads), I make myself proud of never been robbed while on the streets. I use to travel by Metro a lot, and there I usually keep my belongings near and protected: I never keep my backpack on the back, all my money and mobile phones are on the front pocket of my jacket and if I ever carry anything on my back pockets, I'm always fondling my butt so I make sure nobody gets his hands anywhere near it (whatever is in the pocket, not the butt). I never carry nothing too flashy, but that changed about a month ago when I got a smartphone.

So, today I was sitting on the Metro, minding my own business, playing with my phone. I was grabbing it with my two hands, and had the headphone cord coiled on my right hand. I know that doesn't really help me in case someone snatches it from me, but for some reason I feel it's safer. Anyway.

About two or three stops to my destination, three chaps got on my wagon. One of them sit next to me, another one directly in front and the other one was near the door. I had my headphones on, so they must've figured I couldn't hear shit, because they started saying (more correctly, yelling) "300 BUCKS! I'D GO TO A PAKI TOMORROW AND BUY ME TONS OF WEED!") Or something of the sort. I don't know exactly how to fully translate it to English, but that's more or less literal.

So, before reaching my destination, I stored the phone on the front pocket of my jacket, where it's hard to reach since I can keep an eye on it AND it's buttoned. I went out of the station and sure enough, I heard somebody behind me telling me "friend! friend!". I ignored it the first time, and at the second one I turned my head to see one guy. Guess he was one of the three I saw previously. I again kept on going. Again: "friend! friend! come over here." I turned around and (being too nervous to be cool) I just gestured him to go away. He started yelling me "HEY, DON'CHA DARE GETTING ALL PARANOID WITH ME!" (again, can't translate the full meaning to English, but you get the feeling). So, I weighted my options: A) They probably had some kind of knife, B) Even if I got into a fight, I'd surely lose. It's been ages since I hit anything and I'd probably just break something in my hand if I went for a punch in the face and C) His two friends got his back. And my workplace was 100 metres or so away.

So I ran.

It was more of some brisk footing pace, really, but he didn't follow me. He just kept yelling (jesus this people have some sort of voice volume problem) "DON'T RUN AWAY SHORTY! DON'T RUN AWAY". Got to my hotel and he wasn't on my trail.

So, after all this I can't get this situation out of my head. I'm sure running away was the best option, but the fact that someone wants to steal my phone so he can buy weed gets my blood boiling. Really? Can't I just be playing a game or reading, or listening to something on my way to work? I know this shit happens everyday, but damn it gets on my nerves.

I've been thinking on getting a pepper spray in case I ever get into some more trouble, but would this make it better or worse? I don't know if any of you have been in a similar experience. Most of all I needed to vent, but some advice or experiences would be cool.

 

[Paksenarrion]

That is what I would call an ambiguous situation.

I hate those.

If such a thing existed, buy a rope launcher like the one Batman uses.

I would purchase one myself if one existed.

 

[The_Healer]

I'm always fondling my butt so I make sure nobody gets his hands anywhere near it

Yes, yes I know, taken out of context. Still... strange choice of words.

Anyway, onto serious matters. Running is probably the best thing to do if your instincts are telling you that you are in danger of being robbed. Carrying weapons of any kind is generally not a good idea, as more than 2 guys will usually overpower you regardless unless you have something deadly (and therefore illegal to carry on your person).

I find the best defence is being big and scary, but I guess that's not really something someone can learn.

 

[DreadfulSorry]

That sounds awful. As a woman, I'm always worried about those kinds of things (and I absolutely fucking HATE that I have to be). I took judo classes for two years, but I have to wonder if I would actually be able to hold my own in a situation like yours, especially if they had a weapon. Fortunately nothing's happened to me (knock on wood), but it's always there in the back of my mind when I'm walking around at night.

 

[Kilgengoor]

That is what I would call an ambiguous situation.

I'd say it was a pretty clear one to me. I mean, I know I didn't recognize the guy behind me (I checked two out of three in the metro but didn't get a look of the other one) but really, you don't get off a public transport in an almost deserted street at 22 PM and a guy just calls out to you so you can go and hug him.

I have to admit a rope launcher would be pretty sweet though

EDIT: Case in point: link [http://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20090920.gif]

 

[DasDestroyer]

In no-longer-soviet Russia, or at least Moscow, since that's where I'm from, shit like that is pretty normal. Something along the lines of "who WOULDN'T want to sell my phone for weed?"

While getting a pepper spray would be helpful against one person, it isn't as helpful if there's two or three people. So imho, if you're certain that you'll be able to outrun the average person, stick to that.

 

[MasterOfWorlds]

I've been in situations similar to that. I've also helped difuse a few situations when I saw some guys giving some girls more attention than they should have been. Actually got thanked by the girls afterwards too, it was nice. Don't get thanked for sticking up for people much these days.

Honestly, I don't blame you. The thing is though, the more like you look like you have something to hide, the more of a target you become.

Pepper spray works well, even if they're wearing regular glasses. Just keep in mind that it's a spray, if you use it, just do a quick burst to the face and back away before it has a chance to get into your eyes and face too. It's not something a lot of people think about, but it can happen.

 

[Paksenarrion]

That is what I would call an ambiguous situation.

I'd say it was a pretty clear one to me. I mean, I know I didn't recognize the guy behind me (I checked two out of three in the metro but didn't get a look of the other one) but really, you don't get off a public transport in an almost deserted street at 22 PM and a guy just calls out to you so you can go and hug him.

I have to admit a rope launcher would be pretty sweet though

Oh, no, I meant ambiguous as to what escalation of force to use. The ambiguous part is the fact that you have to wait for them to start something before you can legally use force.

But, yes. If only we could carry and use retractable blades strapped to our forearms...

 

[Synonymous]

I agree with The_Healer; you were right to follow your gut and run. I think your sizing up of the situation was accurate. (Even if it wasn't, it's better to be unneighborly than risk being robbed of your phone or injured.)

Pepper spray couldn't hurt. Well, it can - I acceidentally sprayed myself with mine once, but that's only because I just fiddle with things too much. Get pepper spray and leave it alone, and you should be fine. Your instincts are a good first defense, though, and yours are sound.

 

[Kilgengoor]

if you're certain that you'll be able to outrun the average person, stick to that.

That's one of my problems. I only kept a brisk pace and I already ended up on the brink of puking my lungs out when I got there. I mean, sure, the adrenaline may have allowed me to sprint like a ************ in case things got really ugly, but in the seconds it took me to reach my hotel I couldn't stop thinking "shit they're gonna tackle me and kick my face in. Shitshitshitshit". Fortunately, they didn't follow me for some reason. My guess is they were not habitual robbers and just wanted to do that to look cool.

Anyway, I don't feel much safe with the running tactic. My speed is pretty much the one of an average, kinda-out-of-shape and smoking person, and I swear there are pretty fit motherfuckers around here. My girlfriend saw one guy jumping over the train station's exit barriers after yoinking a purse.

The barriers are 1.50 m high.

So yeah, I'll never know when it'll be the time to run away from some fucking real-life Altaïr or something. But I kinda agree that fighting back is not much of an option, though. First of all there was three of them, and secondly I'm around here 5 days a week at the exact same time. Only a matter of time until they got to me if they wanted some payback.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

I'm always fondling my butt so I make sure nobody gets his hands anywhere near it

Yes, yes I know, taken out of context. Still... strange choice of words.

The following parenthesis phrase just makes it worse.

Being a country lout I get pretty nervous being in large cities. I typically carry my steel-tipped umbrella with me or have a knife or two tucked up my sleeves. Haven't had need to use them fortunately.

I have been lifted before, but since I have the habit of storing trash in my back pockets they guy was really just doing me a favor.

 

[Formica Archonis]

Something similar happened to me one evening right outside my apartment door back when I lived in a dicey neighborhood. A couple of severe potheads just done scoring weed from someone down the hall decided I had fried chicken on me (I didn't) and tried to get it off me. It was an argument close to turning into a fight, but fortunately I got to my apartment door and let the argument get loud enough for my roommate (who was awake, thankfully) to hear and start hollering through the door. Deciding they didn't want a fair fight, they made to leave. But then one stopped and tried to bum a smoke off me!

 

[HobbesMkii]

I'll say this: if you're being mugged by someone wielding a weapon, what's worse? Having your personal belongings stolen or a trip to the hospital (or worse, a trip to the morgue)? I wouldn't put my life on the line for any amount of money or any particular thing, unless its loss would also threaten my life.

Also keep in mind that face to face muggings are pretty wildly unpredictable situations, both for you and the mugger(s). Where I live, there are more hit-and-run muggings than face-to-face ones. Turn down the wrong alley at the wrong time and someone catches you in the back of the head with half a brick and then frisks you for your wallet and your bag while you're down on the ground. You didn't see their face, and they didn't stick around to find out if you're okay.

The best way to avoid muggings: stay in well-lit, well-populated areas. And travel with friends whenever possible. No one messes with a group of four or more.

Honestly, you'll never be "mugging-proof" unless you're Jet Li or something (and I'll bet even Jet Li is susceptible to the half-brick). You can minimize the damage, though. For instance, if you have to carry cash, stash it somewhere besides your wallet. A cousin of mine put it in a deck of cards after he'd been mugged twice, since they only took the wallet and never his cards. When I carried cash, I folded some into the sweatband of my baseball cap.

 

[Mcupobob]

Pepper spray? Get a gun! Though thats just my rural American talking there. Anyways you were right to run, you don't have to waste your time on some assholes, and if you get pepper spray, just remember that shit creates a fucking cloud. Spray it and run, because you only got a few seconds before the shock wears off and they start grabbing, and sure they can't see but they'll be swinging around angrily. Anyways thats my best advice. They prolly wanted to sell you something or just make you uncomfortable.

 

[DasDestroyer]

if you're certain that you'll be able to outrun the average person, stick to that.

That's one of my problems. I only kept a brisk pace and I already ended up on the brink of puking my lungs out when I got there. I mean, sure, the adrenaline may have allowed me to sprint like a ************ in case things got really ugly, but in the seconds it took me to reach my hotel I couldn't stop thinking "shit they're gonna tackle me and kick my face in. Shitshitshitshit". Fortunately, they didn't follow me for some reason. My guess is they were not habitual robbers and just wanted to do that to look cool.

Anyway, I don't feel much safe with the running tactic. My speed is pretty much the one of an average, kinda-out-of-shape and smoking person, and I swear there are pretty fit motherfuckers around here. My girlfriend saw one guy jumping over the train station's exit barriers after yoinking a purse.

The barriers are 1.50 m high.

So yeah, I'll never know when it'll be the time to run away from some fucking real-life Altaïr or something. But I kinda agree that fighting back is not much of an option, though. First of all there was three of them, and secondly I'm around here 5 days a week at the exact same time. Only a matter of time until they got to me if they wanted some payback.

Yeah, sadly people like that happen. One of my goals is, in fact, to be a sort of real-life Altaïr, but not to snatch purses and disappear behind a 2 meter wall, but just to be cool

OT: A situation like this can always go so many ways.
If you run, you may get away, but there is a perfectly good chance that the person can catch you.
Use a pepper spray, and you may get rid of 1 person, but you'll possibly piss him off to want revenge, or he could have others with him, who will do that there and then.
Use a self-defense weapon(eg. a kubotan) and if you're good enough with it, you can possibly protect yourself from two people, but if you don't use it well enough, chances are you'll just piss the person off, and practically hand them a weapon for vengeance.
Use a knife/gun(where they are legal) and you run the risk of killing the person, or having it used on yourself, if you're not careful.
Sometimes the best choice is to just give up whatever it is that they want... and that could still go wrong, because the people who are ready to mug you are usually sadistic motherfuckers.
The best course of action would be to have a pepper spray or something, just in case, but when shit happens, go with your gut.

 

[Worgen]

That sounds awful. As a woman, I'm always worried about those kinds of things (and I absolutely fucking HATE that I have to be). I took judo classes for two years, but I have to wonder if I would actually be able to hold my own in a situation like yours, especially if they had a weapon. Fortunately nothing's happened to me (knock on wood), but it's always there in the back of my mind when I'm walking around at night.

knife fighting or grappling would probably be better, if you know how to fight with either a knife or in real close combat then your ahead of the game and ready for most types of attackers

 

[Kilgengoor]

They prolly wanted to sell you something or just make you uncomfortable.

Where I live, there are more hit-and-run muggings than face-to-face ones.

Usual tactic around here is to get the target to approach or relax and then headbutt them or something shocking and painful. Once they're confused and/or in pain, kick them to the ground, beat them AND then take their things. If they just don't feel like giving them away just rinse and repeat. I actually am thankful for them to tip me about their intentions though, because I left the station without trying to look worried or paranoid and honestly hoping they'd just go away. If they just decided to punch me in the kidney I'd surely fall to the ground at their mercy.

I'll say this: if you're being mugged by someone wielding a weapon, what's worse? Having your personal belongings stolen or a trip to the hospital (or worse, a trip to the morgue)? I wouldn't put my life on the line for any amount of money or any particular thing, unless its loss would also threaten my life.

Aaand that's another very good point! You see, I also asked myself this exact question when pondering about wether they'd try to rob me while I was still in the Metro. Yeah, I know my life is not worth a 300? phone, but I'll be damned if I'm going to give it away that easily. When put to face with a gun or a knife I'd give it away, but the thought of someone selling my brand-new phone (which is insured by the way, and the company would pay me about 200? in case it got stolen) just to buy some weed pisses me off to no extent. In case I got cornered I'd probably take a chance, even if I'd spend a couple of months in the hospital afterwards.

 

[Hashime]

I am not worried about getting mugged.
A. I live in a safe area
B. I don't own anything portable that is worth stealing
C. Attempting to mug me would be difficult considering I almost always travel on a bike.

Besides, 7 years of football do help in situations such as these.

 

[Mcupobob]

They prolly wanted to sell you something or just make you uncomfortable.

Where I live, there are more hit-and-run muggings than face-to-face ones.

Usual tactic around here is to get the target to approach or relax and then headbutt them or something shocking and painful. Once they're confused and/or in pain, kick them to the ground, beat them AND then take their things. If they just don't feel like giving them away just rinse and repeat. I actually am thankful for them to tip me about their intentions though, because I left the station without trying to look worried or paranoid and honestly hoping they'd just go away. If they just decided to punch me in the kidney I'd surely fall to the ground at their mercy.

I'll say this: if you're being mugged by someone wielding a weapon, what's worse? Having your personal belongings stolen or a trip to the hospital (or worse, a trip to the morgue)? I wouldn't put my life on the line for any amount of money or any particular thing, unless its loss would also threaten my life.

Aaand that's another very good point! You see, I also asked myself this exact question when pondering about wether they'd try to rob me while I was still in the Metro. Yeah, I know my life is not worth a 300? phone, but I'll be damned if I'm going to give it away that easily. When put to face with a gun or a knife I'd give it away, but the thought of someone selling my brand-new phone (which is insured by the way, and the company would pay me about 200? in case it got stolen) just to buy some weed pisses me off to no extent. In case I got cornered I'd probably take a chance, even if I'd spend a couple of months in the hospital afterwards.

Well like I said earlier I live in a rural town, usually assholes just want to chat you up and say weird shit. Had a homeless man insist I sit down with him and smoke a joint.

Anywho, Its understandable to want to defend your stuff, it is after all the fruits of your labor. Get a weapon, take some classes on self defense. Like someone said you can't be mug proof, but no reason to not try and be prepared.

 

[Skorpyo]

Call me crazy, but I carry neither knife nor firearm when I leave the house.

Spoiler: I carry a collapsible riot-baton.

It's easy to use, harmful (without being lethal), and compact. At around 1-1/2 feet long, it's long enough to keep anyone at a distance too. Damn near perfect.