38 Street-Smart Secrets You Never Knew You Needed—Prepare to Be Surprised!
So, you’ve got a master’s degree, or maybe you’re the kind of person who quotes French philosophers at dinner parties like it’s your day job. Bravo! But hey, when it comes down to it—say, navigating a sketchy alley or dodging that overly friendly stranger at a bar—book smarts just don’t cut it. Welcome to the world of street smarts: that unsung, sometimes gritty, but oh-so-vital toolkit of savvy that literally can keep you alive. Redditors MajorInstruction2522 and yves_san_lorenzo asked the hive mind to spill their juiciest, most practical street-smart tips, and boy, did the wisdom flow. Think of this as your crash course in the school of “I’ve been there, I’ve survived,” packed with nuggets that you never knew you needed until you did. Curious if you really know how to trust your gut—or when to just yell “LEAVE ME ALONE” at a persistent creep? You’re in the right place.
Maybe you have a master’s degree. Maybe you’re about to attend a science conference in another city. Perhaps you’re a lover of literature and French philosophy, a natural at picking up languages, or blessed with an incredible memory.
Those are all wonderful skills and impressive achievements. But being book smart, as valuable as it is, won’t always help in situations that call for a different kind of intelligence—street smarts. That’s the kind of knowledge that can get you out of trouble and, in some cases, even save your life.
When Redditors MajorInstruction2522 and yves_san_lorenzo asked people to share their best street smart advice, the responses came flooding in. Here are some of the most useful tips—you never know when they might come in handy.
More info: Reddit
Don’t accept drinks from people you do not know.
Never leave your drinks unattended.
If someone puts anything in your drink, like a straw, don’t drink it.
You don’t owe people anything. You dont owe them explanations, courtesy, etc. People that are out to scam or take advantage of you are looking for an easy mark, so make it clear that you are not one. You don’t have to be rude, tough or aggressive, but you do need to be firm and keep moving. You don’t have to listen their story, you don’t need to explain your answer. No excuses, no qualifications of the no, just no goodbye ignore anything else that gets said and keep on walking.
I always lived in big cities and I used to travel a ton for work. I have so much experience of scary and weird situations with creepy, entitled men. Married business dudes on work trips are the pushiest. Trust your gut. Don’t be afraid to do things like cross the street or walk into a store etc. if a man is making you uncomfortable.
If a man persists in trying to talk to you after you’ve ignored him or if he’s doing things like gesturing for you to take out your AirPods don’t be afraid to shout “LEAVE ME ALONE”. Other people nearby will stop to look, some might start filming. I’ve used this before. It really gets people’s attention. I used to worry about making a scene but not any more.
You don’t owe anyone your attention or your politeness, especially not random men who come up to you on the street, in coffee shops etc.
The most imported thing is to trust your gut.
As someone who grew up in a country with very high crime stats, this is something my mom taught me when I started going out on my own:
Watch out for men, and if you notice something is off, CROSS THE STREET. I have no idea how many times this advice has saved me.
While it is true that some people get offended, your safety >>> their feelings.
For your own sanity, learn not to make eye contact.
A locked car does not deter a thief. Keep that baby as empty as possible!
A couple days ago, I saw a purse left in the passenger seat in broad daylight. That is a terrible idea!!!
1. Never stay seated or shrink away when someone crowds you. Jump up, push away, move decisively. Say you have to go, have to get to the bathroom, just move. Shove at him and say loudly “let me OUT!”
2. Be ready to yell, make noise, ring doorbells, use a personal siren alarm, call him a creep over and over and just keep getting louder and louder. You don’t need to keep quiet to avoid disrupting others. They should WANT to help make you safe. People want a safe community. They can’t have one if dangerous men aren’t called out. They can’t know to help you if you don’t make noise.
3. If someone is in your home unwanted, has come into your dorm room and won’t leave when you want them to, then *it’s not your safe home anymore.* If you stay there with them, you are less safe. **Get out!** Get outside where they can’t control you. Right away. As soon as you can. Stand up, say you have to pee, and walk out of the house, then run. Leave them in the house, it’s not your home while they are in it, your body is your only home at that moment, and you have to get it away from someone who wants to do you harm.
Post Comment