Kate Hackett
I’ll be honest — you say “street smart” and I immediately start singing One Jump Ahead from Disney’s Aladdin. But street smarts are important — cartoon or not.
Some threads over on Reddit had a similar request for their viewers: how would you stay safe in cities? You can check out one by u/breadedsnake and the other by u/ForcupinePucker on the main site, but we’ve listed some of the best below!
1. Find an adult
Street smarts to give your kids: if you get lost, find the closest adult with kids.
I saw this in action once at Disneyland when a 4 year old kid approached me and my kiddos while we were eating. She joined us very calmly, introduced herself, and said her parents gave her the above advice. I heard her parents shouting her name not long after, and the relief on their faces was a sight.
2. Find an area with moms & kids
If I’m in an unfamiliar city, I’ll explore freely every neighbourhood as long as there are women and kids around. Most mums don’t hang outside with their kids if the street/area is unsafe.
3. Trust your spidey sense.
If the situation doesn’t feel right, it’s not right. Trust your spidey sense.
4. RBF
Walk fast and look pissed off.
5. Get down
If a group of people suddenly get down, so do you.
6. Be polite
Having good manners, and speaking with respect, will keep you from getting in trouble you didn’t know was there.
7. Your vehicle matters
You might be “correct” when you have the right of way, but you’re still the one that’s going to be dead when you get whacked by the car if you’re walking or on your bike.
8. Watch out.
Just because someone is friendly with you, doesn’t mean they have a good heart.
9. Power game
If you’re walking and someone approaches, don’t break stride. You can carry on a conversation while walking, but people who are looking to proselytize, sell you something, or mug you will want you to slow or stop to address them.
If they want to chat, make them keep up with you. You can even tell them that you’re in a rush but would love to talk and walk.
They’ll likely find someone more stationary, because if you can make a person slow, you can make them stop. If you can make them stop, you’ve already adjusted their priorities and placed yourself at the top.
It’s a subtle power game. Keep going where you’re going, and you retain your power. Stop and chat, and you’ve given it up and opened yourself to possible problems.
10. Lock your doors
Lock your doors as soon as you’re in your car
11. Ice cream hack
Always ask for only one scoop of ice cream first because they make single scoops bigger, then act like you changed your mind and ask for a second scoop. They will be pressured to match the size of the first scoop, providing you with a massive amount of ice cream.
12. Practical shoes
Wear shoes you can run the f**k away in.
13. Keep cash away
Never flash your whole wad of cash in a public place while paying for something. Keep a few bucks loose in one pocket for spending. Keep the majority of your cash in a separate pocket. Don’t open a wallet full of all your money where other people can see you.
14. Eye contact
Eye contact. A lone assailant will often use the element of surprise to their advantage. If you’re walking alone and someone is following you, make eye contact to let them know that you are aware of them. This will often dissuade them from attacking.
15. Talk to yourself
If you are walking alone at night and you feel like you’re being watched/followed. Start talking to yourself.. loudly about crazy shit. Make it a conversation even.
16. Chin up
If you are forced to walk through a bad/dangerous neighborhood, keep your chin up and maintain a confident and comfortable look on your face.
Nothing screams “abuse me!” more than an out-of-place person waking around with their chin down, looking at the sidewalk.
I learned this after visiting a new girlfriend many years ago in a bad section of Philly. I was walking down the street towards her house and a local female walking by my said, “keep that chin up around here, white boy.” The more I considered that advice, the more logical it sounded.
17. Cab safety
Don’t ever tell the cab driver you don’t know where you’re going.
18. Black Ice
If you’re driving and hit black ice just take foot OFF GAS BUT DON’T BRAKE until the slide stops.
19. Trunk-napper
Let’s say a kidnapper throws you in the back of a trunk. Don’t panic! Once you get your bearings, find the carpet that covers the taillight. Peel back the carpet, make a fist, punch the taillight out the back of the car, thus creating a hole in the back of the automobile, then stick your little hand out and wave to oncoming motorists to let them know that something hinky is goin’ on.
20. Don’t post
Never post vacation information on social media until you’re back. You’ll most certainly get robbed at some point if you’re not smart about it.
Lead image: Pexels
