So, I (almost) got mugged.

[Kilgengoor]

I've thought about this possibility, but there's a problem with this: it's illegal in Spain. I can buy a lot of weird shit in Andorra, since it's practically a lawless country (where there is very little crime, I might add) like shurikens, sais, katanas, really long fucking knives, you can even buy firearms without a permit (well, some of them anyway) but if the police catches me with one of these on me I can get in real trouble. Plus, someone told me that the most dangerous thing about carrying a weapon is that you'll use it sooner or later.

Not that it wouldn't be badass to take a baseball bat from under my jacket, Inglorious Basterds-style. That'd teach'em.

 

[Impluse_101]

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.

What I wanna ask is, why is it always pepper spray? Why not take a can of spray paint and spray that in their eyes, Have it dry on their wet little eyeballs, Oh and they'll open their mouth and get it in there.

But on the topic at and. I'm glad your alright and all. Tbh I only got into one thing related to you, but it didnt even last. I mean, not like for 5 seconds.

 

[Eri]

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.

I thought I was the only one who owned one of these, lol.

 

[demoman_chaos]

Most muggers carry small easy to conceal knives. I am wanting to carry my bowie or kukri on me, legally if I can find a way.

Though I may be able to get away with carrying my unsharpened gladius around since it is not sharp and therefore not a blade (I hope the fuzz agree with my logic).

 

[lacktheknack]

Can of mace, hockey mask, and Summoning Cthulhu memorized... that will get you out of any mugging situation.

 

[lacktheknack]

What I wanna ask is, why is it always pepper spray? Why not take a can of spray paint and spray that in their eyes, Have it dry on their wet little eyeballs, Oh and they'll open their mouth and get it in there.

But on the topic at and. I'm glad your alright and all. Tbh I only got into one thing related to you, but it didnt even last. I mean, not like for 5 seconds.

Because pepper spray is much more painful, while being less likely to get you sued. Yes, really.

 

[Impluse_101]

What I wanna ask is, why is it always pepper spray? Why not take a can of spray paint and spray that in their eyes, Have it dry on their wet little eyeballs, Oh and they'll open their mouth and get it in there.

But on the topic at and. I'm glad your alright and all. Tbh I only got into one thing related to you, but it didnt even last. I mean, not like for 5 seconds.

Because pepper spray is much more painful, while being less likely to get you sued. Yes, really.

Aww....Fine.

I get to spray the guy with it though in the throat!

 

[Kilgengoor]

What I wanna ask is, why is it always pepper spray? Why not take a can of spray paint and spray that in their eyes, Have it dry on their wet little eyeballs,

Because pepper spray is much more painful, while being less likely to get you sued. Yes, really.

Plus, you'd have to shake it in order to work properly. And they tend to be bulkier.

Really, I'll be very, VERY paranoid for the next couple of weeks. One thing's for sure: I'll never get my phone out on public. It bugs me to say it, since it was one of the reasons I got it: to make the hour I spend on public transportation more bearable, but I guess that'd save me a lot of trouble.

Thank God I have three free days from work now. And no more skipping classes. I work near my school, so I'll get there at 15:00 PM and get back at 7 in the morning. I hope to see way less pricks there, although you can never be too sure.

 

[Wolfram23]

Crazy story OP. Sounds very sketchy. Definitely wouldn't have stopped haha.

I've never been mugged but I have a friend who was assaulted many years ago, I guess we would have been in juniour high so like 15 or 16 maybe. Anyway he was walking home and had several blocks to go. Out of nowhere he gets cracked on the head by a stick. He said he stumbled forward and his vision went blurry for a second.

So he turned around to face his attackers, two kids around the same age. Unfortunately for them by friend is in karate, and I don't know his level at that time but he did end up with a black belt. So I guess the stick kid tried to hit him again, but he blocked it and punched him so hard in the leg (uber charlie horse) that the kid fell down crying. The other one just ran away.

 

[Kilgengoor]

I'be been thinking in taking Aikido classes just for this reason. Besides being a martial art it just focuses on fucking up whoever feels like attacking you, and that's the core of most self-defense courses. I don't feel like undergoing any other martial art, primarily because I wouldn't see the point in that, but Aikido would be pretty sweet. One of the problems is that I already struggle to get some sleep when in full work-classes routine, so that'd be impossible for me at this time. Guess I'll sign up when I'm done with either of the two things.

Better work on my cardio in the meanwhile.

 

[darth.pixie]

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.

Small advice from someone who lives in a rather bad neighbourhood, protecting stuff that well and being so cautious sometimes alerts muggers and thieves that you actually have something worth protecting. And it doesn't matter how aware you think you are, thieves can still rob you. It's somewhat their job, they're good at it.

Also, I know a karate master (black belt and winner of competitions) who was put into a coma after resisting a mugging.

Running...running is good if you think you can outrun people or have a populated area nearby.

 

[Mr.Numbers]

School: Someone tried to mug me (Not totally uncommon, happens about once a month, but this time was pretty extreme) and someone twisted my arm behind my back. As he spun me around to put me in the excruciating armlock I pulled down away from him, leaned forward, teisted sideways and kung-fu-kicked him in the solar plexus. Then his mate stepped out holding a baseball bat.

I ran like HELL.

Being much bigger guys, they would have certainly caught me though, but I had winded his friend so bad he started puking. That distracted him long enough for me to run.

This was a lot of a "Dumb luck" with a bit of skill from said karate I was doing, but I thought it would be sorta appropriate to post it here, as Muggers can be outwitted.

I don't advocate fighting back, I only did so once struggling was the only option (I had just recieved my weeks paycheck and thy knew it, they're not letting go at that point) and DID run as soon as I could, but I thought it would be pretty cool to post a successful defence from a mugging up here amongst all the gloom and depression.

 

[jdun]

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.

One if about the same size and weight. But not three (with or without weapons) if you're unarmed. A good pocket knife or a conceal gun will go along way in protecting you from harm.

You might want to check out this lady videos. She does a good job at explaining her conceal weapon layout.

http://www.youtube.com/user/faliaphotography

 

[Kinguendo]

this is the reason i hate Rap


it kills People's Brain cells and makes them speak in a Alien Language

i always go with my best friend (who fought many fights and he is russian)

No retarded rap listening punk Fights me...ever

I dont remember anyone talking about rap... are you sure you are in the right thread?

 

[Kinguendo]

I have noticed a steady increase in the number of dickheads I bump into in the last couple of years so I learned Muay Thai because I dont want to be carrying a weapon around and only feeling safe when I have a weapon on me seems paranoid and cowardly.

 

[Safaia]

I would have run like hell. I'm a naturally paranoid person and if they had caught up with me I would have given my stuff up before I tried to fight back. It's just a phone.

 

[Mcface]

Why didn't you pull out your gun and pistol whip him?

 

[i2esol]

This is why I've taken a pseudo-vow of poverty. I never carry anything on my persons over $100 unless I'm going somewhere where the transport of myself and my affects will be secure. When visiting friends in Atlanta I would never leave anything in my car, because after the economy crash there has been a string of car break-ins for minor things like change in the ashtray. If I know there's any chance I may lose something I make sure it's something that can easily be replaced IE not a phone.

 

[Kilgengoor]

I never carry anything on my persons over $100 unless I'm going somewhere where the transport of myself and my affects will be secure.

I was of that opinion until I got a daily routine which involved an hour of public transportation, and 5 school hours followed by 8 work hours. I started to feel I wanted to at least have some fun while waiting for the most tedious minutes of the day to end. And frankly, I find utterly depressive the "I'll buy this phone because I won't mind if they rob it". Really, I bought this not out of a hotheaded decision or because everybody else has one, and I bought it with my money. I insured it, because there was a possibility it'd break down or they'd steal it from me, and I still keep an old phone around for when going out at night or some place where I would be better off something as expensive. I know that. But still, I find the idea of a life created in prospect of a mugging quite upsetting.

I know this comment doesn't add anything new, or any peculiarly positive insight, it's just... Fuck these people, really. I don't own a car, I don't have a watch and I don't wear any expensive clothing. All I have is that mobile phone and they try to take away the only big decision I've done in a long time besides getting a laptop. That's why, even if I'm fully conscious it isn't something worth dying for, I can't just renounce on it.

On the other hand, ask me the same question after being stabbed, which I hope won't be anytime soon.

And I know it isn't technically a question. It's a METAPHORICAL one, alright?

 

[Soylent Dave]

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 suspect that would probably make a situation like that worse. As would carrying any other kind of weapon.

Anything you carry as a weapon can very easily become a weapon for an attacker to use on you. It's also a reason for a robbery to escalate into an assault - if you suddenly become a 'threat' (because you're armed), then the robber might well be more inclined to use force - because he's frightened you might hurt him (!).

And how capable are you of inflicting pain or injury on other people? Most people find it pretty difficult (even when fight or flight kicks in, flight is easier for most of us unless we're backed into a corner).

people who are ready to mug you are usually sadistic motherfuckers.

I wouldn't agree with that. People who try to mug you are opportunists; they're stealing from people because it's easy; if you make it hard then it's not worth the effort.

So, making it more difficult for a mugger generally means that he'll give up - that often means running (or moving quickly) away, or moving into a well-populated area. It can mean standing up to him - but if you back someone into a corner you can't be sure how they'll react, so that's a bit more dangerous.

-

General advice - if you someone is trying to mug you (or you think they might be), move to somewhere that other people are. Duck into a shop, jog over to another pedestrian and start talking to them, or even knock on the door of a house (and then tell them you're being threatened/ followed when they answer).

Most of the time, the mugger will make himself scarce rather than try to carry anything on in front of witnesses (and if there are already people around pretending not to see, talk to them so that they can't pretend that nothing is going on).