The Best Self Defense Technique for Parking Lots and Public Places

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[@hard2hurt]

Check out Smith and Bradley's complete line of watches at www.hard2hurt.com/smithandbradley

[@alvinhickling901]

so im all good with avoidance however i don't need a pretext to avoid a wierdo !

[@oldschoolmuzzey]

i can’t lie, that’s a cool parking lot pick😑😎

[@lyfandeth]

No mention of the accuracy or water resistance of the watches. And the peculiar claim, made by no one in the watch business, that their selfwinders are equally accurate to their quartz watches. Thanks for the sponsorship...but the guarantees for performance just aren't there.

[@debbiejohnson7758]

This will make a great gift for men, thank you! Newly subscribed.

[@oldschoolmuzzey]

@alvin hickling 😄

[@dude157]

90% of self defence is not going to sketchy places. 9% being situationally aware. 1% combat

[@qwanyin6423]

truth.

[@Tipperary757]

Can happen anywhere. Most dangerous people are the ones you know.

[@susanmcdonald-timms3202]

Yes. Unfortunately, though, mate- more and more of the city’s places, are becoming sketchy. If you did that very soon you would not be able to go anywhere. Cheers from Australia mate

[@craigdoriety9798]

​@susanmcdonald-timms3202 Luckily where I live I can carry my firearm and find myself doing so on more occasions than I used to. My state is very 2A friendly and law enforcement is very supportive.

[@juliatripp2010]

I employ the 90% solution everyday and thank God I've survived into my late 60's

[@carolprobert3948]

I remember years ago my mom telling us she was coming out of the grocery store and noticed a sketchy looking man start walking in a diagonal that was going to intercept her path. Fortunately she noticed him and turned right around and walked back in the store. She let the employees know. The manager came out with her and made sure she got to her car okay. I'm so glad they took it seriously and made sure she was safe.

[@PoM-MoM]

Yes. Do not be afraid to ask store security for assistance, thats actually why they are there but unfortunately theft is prevalent but THEY WILL HELP YOU.

[@John_Connor556]

Plot twist: the man was going to intercept an actually, truly shady guy she didn’t even notice 😏

[@deidreking4472]

If he saw the car she was walking towards he can put a tracking device under her wheel well .

[@sheilagilleland4312]

I don’t need a reason, I flip the pervert off, go back into the store and ask for help. Or call the cop. I’ve been walking to My car and seriously had a ragged out car casing the parking lot. I looked them all three into the eyes followed the car around with my eyes stayed close to the door of the store I was in. I Went back into the store and asked the Store manager to call the cops. The dumb asses were still casing the store’s parking lot. Usually they’re pretty stupid people and quite easy to catch. Get help!

[@dalepower632]

@@deidreking4472 Sure, if they have a tracking device, mark the right car and have a reason to follow them home. Most criminals don't go nearly that far and won't. Tracking devices are expensive, easy to lose and are pretty much going to land you in prison if they are found by the police. Criminals are, movies aside, generally simple minded people. They don't want to be caught, they just want what they are moving in for. If you remove yourself from their sight, they will turn to a different subject, most of the time. But yes, it could be a complex tracker situation...

[@iammedusa2600]

My husband was confronted in Home Depot by someone who claimed to be security (had a security vest on) and said he had to escort my husband out of the store because of the "mess he made". My husband demanded ID (none), demanded he take him to the "mess" (no go), agreed to go out with him and started yelling for police. The guy took off and met up with 2 others in the parking lot who were waiting to jump him. The real security showed up and hubby explained what the guy had tried to do.

[@MyScrapChick]

Can't help but recall all the times I "listened" to that gut instinct (or maybe they were angels) and I'm still here. DO NOT ignore it.

[@user-pb3sb3un7n]

That gut instinct saved me and my daughter from 6 guys trying to grab my baby daughter and I and throwing us in to a van years ago.

[@bevfitzsimmonds3382]

Amen! 👍

[@jamescrumbaker3169]

I've had things like this happen to me. Two of those times were situations I could not have foreseen, and there were no indications of danger. Just a "feeling". Both times it was like a whisper in my spirit: "don't go that way" or "stop the car". Whatever it was, it saved my life!

[@lilyw.719]

​@@jamescrumbaker3169 That is definitely your guardian angel!

[@alisaharwood7077]

Only RECIEVING JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY TO FATHER GOD YHWH.

[@DocBrewskie]

I’ve told my daughters a million times “if it feels weird it probably is”. Don’t worry about what anyone thinks. Go to the other side of the road with zero guilt. Walk away from a situation with no regret. Wrong is better than dead.

[@CLord-gs7nj]

So true .... especially for women. We are socially conditioned to be polite and helpful at all times .... to our detriment.

[@Uwhwvwgwh]

​@@CLord-gs7njno he is talking about perverts

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

Thank you Sir !

[@CLord-gs7nj]

@@Uwhwvwgwh As was I.

[@steverountree1899]

“The Gift of Fear”. Always trust your gut.

[@toxigenic]

I'm a woman and small, I know martial arts and self defense, but never want to have to use it. I've gone back into Walmart before, found a security guard and asked if he'd walk me to my car. I got a double escort and the sketchy people quickly disappeared. They were happy to do it and made sure I drove away safely.

[@juliabrown5948]

Great idea, but my sil tried to do this at a Walmart in Oregon and was told that the security guards are not able to leave the store/do anything in the parking lot!! What?!

[@toxigenic]

@@juliabrown5948 Really? This was in Portland. Security even has a car they use to patrol around the parking lot. I guess it's a moot point now that the store is closing,

[@marypaquette8705]

Same here, 4' 11", back in the hospital, get guard, walk to car,😊 man runs away! No more appointments by myself😊.

[@pamelamason6372]

Hi from Cambridge UK, what is sketchiest? Does it mean dangerous?

[@dragan3290]

​@@pamelamason6372 sketchy is dodgy looking or dangerous crim looking type!

[@GWAYGWAY1]

In UK, a young woman was walking alone, and noticed a parked vehicle with a man just sitting in it. She felt very strongly that something was wrong, so she crossed over and hurried up the road. The man pursued her in the vehicle and ran over her more than once, but she survived. The man was serial murderer Levi Bellfield. Several of his victims met their end because they walked through unlit parks, etc. Liked your video, good advice.

[@jennytaylor3324]

Shit, I remember his mugshot (also UK)! That was a sinister case.

[@catherinebirch2399]

I've seen a documentary about Levi Bellfield. He has the kind of face that would instantly put you on the alert.

[@ElsieDee001]

I once was being followed on a walk, and I took a chance and walked right into a strange house to get away from my stalker. The people in the living room were startled, but I immediately apologized, stayed right inside the door until my stalker was out of site, then took a kind of zig zag route in the opposite direction to get back to my bus stop. The people in the house were very understanding, luckily. Whew!

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

You just walked into a stranger's house? Well, you're lucky. By escaping a potential predator, you risked being shot as a home invader.

[@ElsieDee001]

@@BillSmith-rx9rm It was 50 years ago. And we had to take our chances. It was an old affluent neighborhood by the lake.

[@evanward9739]

@@ElsieDee001 lol showed the stalker the wrong house then he started stalking that family

[@ElsieDee001]

@@evanward9739 Desperate circumstances call for desperate actions. I’m sure he was a “lazy, opportunistic” stalker.

[@sarahturps1384]

A woman was half eaten alive when she walked in a house with 3 vicious pitbulls.

[@carltonbauheimer]

The key is to always be the sketchiest person in the parking lot.

[@Raz0rking]

Fun story, due to my job I am around the central trainstation of ny countries capital city very early or very late on a semi regular basis. And the sketchy people look at me the same way I look at them. "Is that weirdo gonna do something"

[@CADClicker]

​@@Raz0rkingThat isn't a story

[@HeartlessKnave]

I wear a hoodie, sweatpants, and running shoes basically everywhere I go. I'm a security guard so when people/co-workers see me in my civies they have commented on how sketchy I look, especially with my hood up and the fact I have as has been described to me to be "resting bitch/asshole face." The irony is that I dress as such so I can run or do parkour/martial arts at moments notice should I feel like it or actually need to for myself or protecting another. It's also funny to dress like that to mess with other security guards, especially the plain-clothes/LPO's.

[@ronfox5519]

@@Raz0rking right. The wondering keeps them busy while you slip right through.

[@gbc77000]

Exactly. Talk loudly to yourself, make twitchy head movements and grunt every once in a while and most people figure you're too much work to deal with.

[@juanchotalarga2545]

Down here in Argentina there was this girl that heard her taxi driver say something sus on his phone and she actually JUMPED out of the moving car, suspecting she was going to be kidnapped. Turns out the guy was just ordering a pizza. Many people insulted her for over-reacting, but in my opinion, she did the right thing. She listened to her instincts and actually acted accordingly.

[@TJ77790]

She also could have been right and when the taxi driver was confronted by the police, he convinced them he was only ordering a pizza.

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

LMAO

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

@@TJ77790 dumbass comment clearly the call was checked investigated and it was aactually a pizza joint police probably contacted the pizza place to verify with them as well

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

JUANCHO tiene un enlace a esta noticia?

[@BikerGirlTraveler]

Well, that depends on the point of view, and of course, the point of view depends on the outcome. If when she jumped off the taxi she had been hit by another car and hurt badly, even killed, well, it would had been for nothing. There is a huge difference between instincts and socially over influenced to think the worst. It’s a fine line between the two.

[@midnightkitty8172]

Thanks for demonstrating these simple yet effective techniques. My grandmother was approached by a male and a female in a parking lot once; thankfully my grandmother had already gotten into her car. The male kept trying to open her door, which was locked, and yelling 'OPEN THE DOOR', to which my granny said 'WHY? WHAT FOR?' to which they had no answer. I told her that she was very lucky and smart to not listen to them and to keep the door locked. Who knows what those two were planning but I can bet it wouldn't have ended well had my gran listened to them.

[@Dbb27]

My son had the same happen. He backed up, running over the man’s foot. Left the guy in the parking lot wincing in pain.

[@nitawynn9538]

Lean in the horn, too.

[@midnightkitty8172]

@@Dbb27 Sounds like Instant Karma bit him in the ass. Glad your son got away.

[@Rubiastraify]

I'm a 60 yo lady, and I can say that I've used this technique instinctively when I got the feeling that something wasn't right. Works for indoor situations, too - like an elevator. Someone sketchy gets on, and "Oops! Forgot something!" and jump out just in time. I've even hung out in the ladies' room in a store, waiting for someone to clear out. Great advice - ALWAYS trust your gut! Better to be safe than a statistic!

[@pragzter]

I have been using this technique to avoid talking to people for years. Glad to know this can also be used for self defense.

[@capnd.7688]

I use earphones. Works very well. Even if they arent turned on.😆💯

[@CVMN-kf2qc]

@@capnd.7688 Same

[@kv_5238]

😂😂😂 yesssss

[@dogmom-oc4eq]

Funniest comment I read all week!😂😂😂

[@acooksla]

Lol😅

[@MrfunnyNacho]

As a cop myself in NYC, I can't tell you how much I value your approach on self-defense. I'm into all the tacti-cool stuff I practice Jiu Jitsu, and firearms. But you're so far removed and FAR-AHEAD from this whole "Warrior mentality" concept of teaching people technique that only really becomes handy when you've failed ALL other lines of self-defense of which almost all are non-confrontational. It's crazy to me there aren't people talking about REAL examples of the mind-loops humans go through and then get victimized. So happy you're pointing them out.

[@kmanbay6580]

Being a CO for thirty plus years I have had some VERY interesting conversations with criminals. The technique shown in this video is AWESOME, avoid the asswhooping you may receive. Nothing in your car, or your car, is worth being severely injured or dead. Yes, it is an inconvenience to file an insurance claim for your car, but it beats the hell out of paying medical bills and filing claims with your health insurance company instead.

[@allboutthemojo]

Avoiding a bad situation is indeed the best approach but how are you supposed to know that the shady guys aren't still out there waiting while you hide out in the store.

[@MrfunnyNacho]

@@allboutthemojo Just call the police and or travel in a crowd. I'll wait 30 minutes for a response time just to make sure some dude leaves. Cause a big enough commotion for workers to step outside looking like they're calling and perps usually just leave. Criminals are oppurtunists, unless they actually know you, then I'd be actively looking to hide or get away from the area.

[@christianc.christian5025]

Man, I can’t even tell you how funny it is that other KZbinrs and “experts” aren’t keeping pace with Mike on this stuff. Like you said, it’s something I really value. Rogan (for all of the dumb shit he’ll spout) occasionally touches on this, too: there is no amount of training, firearms expertise or “badassery” that will save you from some scenarios. But avoiding them altogether, when possible, almost always does.* *One asterisk: sometimes, the “avoid trouble” approach is used as a bullshit way to blame anyone who *can’t* avoid, say, walking across a parking lot to go to work or to meet someone or whatever. That is also dumb and should stop. People being robbed/raped may even do something “dumb”; it still isn’t their fault they were robbed/raped unless they did it to themselves… Which oddly happens occasionally. “On the next episode of ‘EMPIRE’!…”

[@vbear8501]

The best defence is to not be there.

[@kathleenbieke1543]

“You don’t have to find out you were right.” Exactly! Thank you for this information.

[@debl9957]

I loved how you chose to pull into a big W parking lot to demonstrate a sketchy area. So true.

[@cindygiesbrecht3146]

This reminds me of a 'stranger danger' video I was shown in grade school. They showed a child being followed by a car. The recommendation was to turn around and walk the other way because it's hard for a car to just turn around on a narrow residential road. I did it once and walked a whole extra few blocks. I went to a neighbors house instead of my own home. I was lucky to know most of my neighbors

[@Theleaddog]

We call it personal safety now because it’s not always strangers that hurt us. Sometimes it’s a parent, sibling, aunt or uncle. Sometimes it’s a clerk, a doctor, a lawyer, a police officer or teacher to name a few. Sometimes it os simply someone who is supposed to care about us that hurts us. It’s no longer stranger danger but personal safety that we teach our children.

[@user-pm6gv5nq4v]

I did the same thing too but my neighbor was a molester

[@maryfedor8679]

@@Theleaddogp

[@Theleaddog]

@@maryfedor8679 🤔

[@prayunceasingly2029]

A kidnapper tried to lure my friend into his car when my friend was a small kid

[@jackiefox7224]

I was always taught the best self defense is not to be there. Still training martial arts (29 years now), 70 years old and this “oops I forgot something” works. My Mum even told she did this on more than one occasion in her youth when a fella wanted to take to a “party” at some hotel…. She would slip her watch off and pocket it (or take off an earring), and make a big deal of having to back track to find it to get the heck away from the situation. Once away from the guy, she run like hell. This was in the late 30’s and early 40’s.

[@katerinabentley5882]

What a great story to share! It’s a good reminder that danger has always been there.

[@zxyatiywariii8]

I actually DID forget something once, and in retrospect I wonder if anyone thought I was doing this, because I did do that whole pat-pockets move.😂

[@Dbb27]

People think things are worse. They aren’t. Bad people have always been around.

[@katerinabentley5882]

@@Dbb27 absolutely the truth!

[@Fluffimuff]

I was walking across an almost deserted street downtown after a late night at work. Out of the darkness and suddenly, a shady-looking man came walking very quickly toward me saying, “Excuse me miss, do you have the time? “. He was looking at a cellphone in his hand and I could see the light from it. I sized up the situation in a split second, and as could see he was getting closer very quickly, I held both hands up palms to him and yelled in a firm commanding voice, “No!! Back off!” He instantly veered away and walked off quickly from me. I trusted my instincts and avoided who knows what.

[@user-cm2ky8hv6o]

One day we were exiting the mall. My daughter was pushing her stroller with my little granddaughter in it with one hand as she held a lemonade. Large designer purse dangling from her arm -- young and attractive and not a care in the world. I was following close behind, carrying all our bags. I noticed an older teenaged boy looking at the mall directory display. A group of similarly dressed boys were standing closer to the exit doors. A red light went off in my head. We passed through the doors and they followed. Right away I said to my daughter, “Darn it! I forgot to get the birthday card.” My daughter looked at me like I was crazy, but she wheeled around and we went back in. I explained to her what I saw and she thought I was being ridiculous. She wouldn’t hear of asking for a security escort. But she followed me to a different exit and we went out to the parking area. The boys saw us and realized we evaded them, They starting coming our way -as my daughter secured her baby in the car seat, I threw the stroller and bags in. I told her to get in fast and we pulled out. I was a trembling wreck and guess what my daughter was upset about? That I had crushed her lemonade as I loaded the stroller in such a hurry…. No one in my family ever took me seriously when I told them what happened, but I know in my heart and mind that I read the situation right.

[@afunkusamongus]

The biggest factor to all of this in my opinion is the awareness. So many people are too busy texting and walking to even avoid getting run over never mind noticing the sketchy person or even the criminal act they are walking right into. Pay attention, look around, know where you are, and where you can go if needed.

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

I had a third off broken front tooth and after 15 yrs a friend i see all the time notices ive got a broken tooth. Thats true and amazing how unobservant people are. Thats the problem-people are not aware.

[@catherinebirch2399]

If our primitive ancestors had Been as ignorant of their surroundings as modern people are, we would have all fallen off cliffs or been gobbled up by predators that we hadn't been aware of until it was too late. Lack of spatial awareness is asking for trouble.

[@ElsieDee001]

@@catherinebirch2399 They didn’t have as many distractions and their main focus was on survival. Today, ours is not.

[@catherinebirch2399]

@@ElsieDee001 Humans today have it so easy and soft that They're getting less and less intelligent because they don't have to think.

[@jckingsley]

Spoiler: Mike is the weirdo in the parking lot. Mike is ALWAYS the weirdo in the parking lot. ;-) lol

[@cta-nah6294]

This has some concerning implications lol

[@thurstonbell1692]

😂

[@nikolap8410]

😂

[@hanzlasheikh4516]

Nah, it’s really ur mom 😂

[@caven7931]

Lmao!!!

[@margo.3466]

You're spot on!! You don't want to look like you're scared or even bothered slightly. Getting away from the situation is all that matters, for safety reasons.❤

[@milorprdy6059]

We were in a strip mall parking lot, and I just opened the door for my friend (80 yrs old) to get into the passenger seat and noticed a guy coming towards us acting weird, so I quickly got into the seat behind her and locked the doors. He was a half car away when he turned and walked back to a truck that had another man sitting in it. It's sad having to always feel like a scared little rabbit.

[@GWAYGWAY1]

@milorprdy6059 Don’t feel sad. They are the saddos. 💐

[@gwirgalon3758]

a smart rabbit, I'd say, who took care of another very vulnerable person. That's usually called courage...

[@user-ot7ln4fy7y]

Don’t feel sad nor like a rabbit….you’re smart like a fox!!! So proud of you!!!

[@ElsieDee001]

@@GWAYGWAY1 Or sickkos.

[@sfgirl76m32]

Thank you for this information! I’m a 64 year old, 5 ft tall woman who probably couldn’t outrun anyone. So I’m always very aware of my surroundings when going to my car. When I walk out the door of the store I stop and act like I’m checking the receipt and look towards my car to make sure no weirdos are hanging around. I will definitely use your techniques as well!

[@sandrarichardson2713]

That is a really good idea. Just outside the store....stop. Get your bearings and scope the whole area. Plus you check your receipt to boot...good job. Jesus bless.

[@victorialove9104]

Also don't forget to look in your back seat before getting in the car. You could also drop your receipt several feet from your car and ad you bend down to pick it up check under your car. ❤

[@eileeneclark9011]

3/16/23....ALSO BE CAREFUL ABOUT CARS/TRUCKS PARKED SO CLOSE THAT YOU HAVE TROUBLE TRYING TO OPEN DOOR/GET IN CAR OR GET OUT OF CAR. BAD PPL CAN "SQUEEZE" YOU UP IN THERE... PLUS WATCH OUT PARKING NEXT TO VANS....PPL CAN BE WAITING IN VAN TO JUMP OUT + GRAB PPL COMING TO CAR PARKED NEXT-DOOR..... THINK "TED BUNDY".....

[@robbieoneil5945]

​@@victorialove9104I've practiced a few Martial Arts in My lifetime, Judo, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Zen Do Kai Karate & Rhee Tae Kwon Do, & We used to teach Our Female Students exactly that, always check the back seat incase someone is hiding there & also carry Your car key in Your hand so That You can, both, get Your door open & get into Your car quickly & also lock the door again even before You put the key in the ignition & You can also use it as a weapon as a last resort by jabbing into the ribs or even the eyes or face.

[@robbieoneil5945]

@sfgirl76m32 Hi, I'm a 73 year old Male 170 cm tall & weigh about 60 kilos, (thats about 5ft 7ins tall & about 10 stone in weight) & I have a very slim build, & just like You I'm not a very fast runner, & I have quite a lot of Martial Arts training behind Me, Judo, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Zen Do Kai Karate & Rhee Tae Kwon Do, My suggestion for You would be to keep doing the things You've saiid You're doing when You come out of the store & also always check the back seat to make sure nobody is hiding there & always have Your car key ready so that You can get the door open & get into Your car quickly & lock the door imediately even before You put the key into the ignition, (think carjackings) & also, as a last resort, You can always use the key as an improvised weapon to jab into the ribs or face & eyes if necessary, I also carry a "PPA" on My belt, "Personal Panic Alarm", they work by You simply pulling out a pin & can only be switched off by reinserting the pin, they usually have a100 decibel siren built in, the one I have has an on off switch instead of a pin & has a very loud screaming 130 decibel siren & they give You the element of surprise & draw a lot of attention, so You'll usually find that the criminals & muggers & all the weirdos really don't want to hang around for too long.

[@Czechbound]

That was great. I was in Irkutsk in Russia. The train station is on the opposite side of many tracks from the city. To cross the tracks, you have to walk 1/2 mile to a bridge, then back 1/2 mile on the other side. The road on the other side has the tracks on one side, and high berm on the other. Walking from the city to go to the station to buy a ticket, we noticed some rough looking teenagers walking ahead of us. They appeared to slow down to see would we turn into this road, that had no traffic on it. They walked ahead of us, but the further we went, the more they looked back. I said I needed something in the last shop on the street ( about 200 yards in ). Once inside I said what will do is wait a couple of minutes, then exit the shop quietly and walk quickly back the way we came, without looking back. Once back on a busier road we hailed a cab and abandoned the station for another day. I suspect that roadway is the local "muggers' alley" and we were fresh tourist meat for a kicking or worse.

[@mendyboio3917]

This is a great video. My college was in a large city, and students volunteered to walk other students to their cars. I always asked for that service; better safe than sorry.

[@theresamacduff6015]

I took my three young children to the subway to get downtown. In the parking lot where we left our car, a nice looking man was going in our direction and kept talking to me. I felt uneasy but kept walking with my children to the subway. Then I saw a police officer in the parking lot on a motorcycle and immediately said to the kids, "oh look a police officer"... and we went straight to the officer and hung out with him until the man went away. Thank you to all LEOs out there. ❤

[@143AD]

I left a remote Walmart late at night once. Because I have good situtational awareness, I saw 2 big Dudes scoping me out in the shop, when I left for the escalators I looked up at them without looking at them. They were following me. I was certain they were going to rob me. When I got to the basement car park I ran to cover of darkness and bushes accross from a bus station next to my neighbourhood. I saw them come into the basement in the light off the escalators and were wildly looking about for me. The car park was empty. My gut feeling was 100% right. This has never happened to me before.

[@jaspermartin7444]

what Walmart has a basement parking lot?

[@epickett63]

@@jaspermartin7444 Right? 🙂

[@frontenac5083]

Why on earth do you people keep going to Walmarts? The corporation doesn't operate where I live, but it seems like a super sketchy and super dangerous place to visit given the comments on this page and the horrifying stories in the US news!

[@srvntlilly]

Do you live in the UK? You call it a car park and the Walmarts in US only have outdoor parking lots, no escalators or underground lots.

[@srvntlilly]

@@frontenac5083Be ause they're the only place we can afford anymore. And even there their prices are getting ridiculous for cerfain things.

[@TheElbowMerchant]

I'm 100% on board with trusting your instincts/intuition. Almost every time I dismissed a bad feeling about a situation or a person, it went poorly for me. I don't make that mistake anymore.

[@GameOn0827]

The science of intuition is incredible. Your brain processes so much more information than we can comprehend. Intuitions are your bodies way of communicating things you don't even know that you know.

[@brokeboytactical4397]

Almost every time? How often do you find yourself in these situations?

[@TheElbowMerchant]

@brokeboytactical4397 I work in a State Hospital (jail for mentally ill criminals, in layman's terms), so fairly often. I've seen countless assaults, and have been assaulted several times, so I've developed a sixth sense for when shit is about to pop off, and I never ignore that intuition.

[@brokeboytactical4397]

@@TheElbowMerchant okay I can definitely see that. I'm a doorman of the Continental club in Austin I myself find myself in frequent self-defense situations.

[@christinemott8799]

Yes. I know the out come and I do it anyways .gee😊

[@andrewg.1377]

"Trust your instincts." Straight up great advice. If you get a bad feeling, NEVER ignore it in this situation. Watch out for anyone paying you too much attention. Too many peoples faces are in thier phones these days. The phone can wait. Pay attention.

[@roostercogburn3771]

You're right about situational awareness! I've used that plenty and not just in war-zones. One time after 2200, in the country of Panama, I was crossing a big bridge across some traffic lanes. When I started down the other side I noticed some sets of eyes looking up at me. When I got on the last ramp one hollered up something. So I rememberd that we were not to engage them. So I went back up and noticed he was gaining, so I stretched out my stride and picked up the pace. Then no problem losing him. The only problem was on the other side, that there was a couple of them that left me no choice but to engage them. Afterwards I kind of felt sorry for them, so I tossed them a little money. I made it back to my quarters okay that night. Just had 2 or 3 miles more to go. In the South American countries and some parts of Asia, you got to watch for pick-pockets! Keep up the good work!

[@oldcop18]

As a retired cop w/30 yrs on the job this video is spot on. Use these techniques & stay safe.

[@johnbrokx4779]

I spent most of my jr high and high school days using your techniques to avoid bullies. When I spotted them I just changed direction. I would alternate the routes I would take from one class to another and/or completely avoid going to my locker when I knew they were looking for me. We didn't have a name for it back then (1960's) but I have practiced situational awareness since I was 12 years old. Same thing works in the corporate world. Just don't go where the assholes hang out.

[@bunnyboo6295]

I had to hide at work to avoid nasty manger once I was sitting in a dark hiding place half my shift because he was just around the corner and ended up in a long conversation with another manger. I came close to a few concessions quick maneuvers jumping into things squeezing in odd places even suffocating spots. You don't want to be seen by that guy he attacks who ever for any reason base on convo I overheard while trapped he was a bully in younger years talked about it as happiest times of his life. Even worked in jobs where he got paid to bully.

[@seth7745]

Unfortunately you can run into these people in any parking lot, so simply not going there isn’t always an option. They love to hang out at the entrance so you cant avoid them at all.

[@PraveenSriram]

I hope I never run into someone who wants to attack me. It happened only once so far in my life due to a road rage incident

[@rolandthethompsongunner64]

It’s called evasive action 😂

[@rolandthethompsongunner64]

@@PraveenSriram There are different tactics regarding road ragers. I’m sure he’ll get to that.

[@stretchnuts4661]

I don't let my wife go to Walmart alone, that rule number one.

[@MrBilld75]

Best advice ever! Seriously, this works and will help you avoid bad situations. Just walk away and if being followed, walk into a nearby store, restaurant, coffee shop, office you name it. Just explain yourself and people in said store, if small and are wondering why you're there, will totally understand and even be helpful. Because we ALL know "that feeling", it's very disconcerting. I had something like this happen to me when walking to the corner store after dark. I walk past this guy, who's swaying, he looks antsy, weird and sketchy af. As I walk past him, I glance, quickly at him and I see the clear change in his face, he gets the psycho eyes and proceeds to follow me. So he stays far enough behind, I can hear where he is, he's not close enough to do me harm, yet. I keep a brisk pace, keep in mind he followed me ACROSS the street, from his standing/swaying position and is now following me down the same side of the street I crossed to, to get to the store. Now I know something is really off, but he's keeping a safe enough distance behind me, about 4 large typical sidewalk paver stones and maintains that following distance the whole time. The pace only quickens a little as I reach the storefront, so I quicken my pace. I makes it into the store, he follows me in! Eyeballing me, from across the store, as I pretend to be indecisive looking randomly for stuff. I keep an eye on him and keep browsing. I'm like this close to walking over and confronting the guy, but I'm like "why though? Why bother? He'll eventually get bored and leave, I'm not leaving." So, he does indeed eventually give up and leave. I explain myself to the cashier and ask her if she sees him, like on any of the cameras either, not just out the front door and window. She and I check and nothing. So, once I explain to her the story, she's like "oh I totally get it and I've seen that guy around the front of the store before and he's really weird. I was like "if you saw the look he gave me, as I passed him and then he started following me, "weird" is an understatement. That guy's psycho. It was like a switch went off in his brain. He already looked sketchy, but the whole demeanor change, was shocking really. And then he instantly started following me, all the here and into the store." She's agahst and like "stay here as long as you want. If you want me to call the cops for you, I will." I told her that wasn't necessary, but asked if we could check the cameras again before I leave and I'm going to shop for stuff now. Who knows, maybe I saved my own life that night? Has to be the weirdest following incident I've ever had and it's has made me more paranoid of people walking behind me, ever since. Not super paraanoid or anything, just "more aware". Keep your head on swivel, right?! It was creepy af and not something you forget. So yeah, do I know what women feel like when they get followed by creepy guys? You bet, I totally empathize with them, it's very stressful. It's the fear of "not knowing". But the worst mistake you can make in those situations, is wanting to know and confronting them. Don't, you don't need to. Let it go, it may be the best decision of your life. Self preservation, is the goal, not how you go about it. Do whatever you have to do, to just avoid the trouble in the first place.

[@ArtAnyWay]

Lol I have literally used all 3 of those tactics just out of instinct. I’m also not afraid to turn around and look at who’s walking behind me anymore. I used to feel that was rude but I’ve learned to prioritize my safety (and stress level) by not having to wonder. Situational awareness works 👍 I’ve avoided getting jumped twice by paying attention to a wider circle of my surroundings. Not being there is a fantastic technique 🎉 My old instructor used to say “You win every fight you don’t fight.”

[@frontenac5083]

Rude to look behind you? I mean, what!!? 😳 People really are very, very strange sometimes...!

[@robbieoneil5945]

Or, as Bruce Lee, said in the movie "Enter The Dragon" when the so called tuff guy on the boat they were taking out to Han island for their tournament asked Him what's Your style? & He said "My style? hmmm, I call it Fighting Widdout Fighting".

[@ArtAnyWay]

@@frontenac5083 It’s a weird social conditioning, at least for some women. Many get messaging like “men feel uncomfortable if you make them feel like they’re the bad guy when they’re not”, and many women are socialized to protect other people’s feelings (usually at the expense of their own). Teens and younger people seem especially sensitive to “not being awkward”, and turning around to face down someone behind you can be very socially awkward. I am finding out that I grew up in an ultra-conservative environment where we were taught to fear the world but not advocate for ourselves, so some of that “avoiding rudeness or awkwardness” could very well be part of my specific upbringing.

[@SandyCheeks63564]

if there are lots of homeless, many are whacked out on drugs or just mental patients. You don't wanna attract their attention or appear rude. make believe you re looking for a street sign or store or another person. Acting! as he says

[@darkomtobia]

Former cop with some fight training (mostly aikijujitsu). This is the BEST, smartest advice I've seen in a long time. Unless you're getting paid to be in confrontations, I'd suggest that not being where a fight is taking place will be the best thing you can do. Subbed!

[@thelograph7162]

I'm female, with mixed martial arts, self defense, firearms...Best fights I ever got into were the ones I didn't get into. Loved this video and have done the forgot something move in the past. Now I know I'm wasn't weird. Also, my uncle/retired detective cracked a cold case where a woman was taken from a parking lot. The killer had a pattern: find women not paying attention in a parking lot.

[@LarryClementssuuntzuu]

‘Gift of Fear’ by Gavin DeBecker is a manual for listening to your intuition. Worth the read.

[@tappachaw4067]

One of the best survival books ever

[@user-uo6zw2rv2x]

Great book. Gave it to each of the nieces as a gift.

[@DRJUDOJEFF]

I am a clinical and forensic psychologist, black in TKD and judo, ex-boxer. This is the best advice I have heard. I will adopt it in my training of others. Also been been following you for years. Thank you

[@steve_put_this_here]

If you have been following him for years, maybe he should feign like he forgot something, and run away. Its only appropriate!

[@recipehacker9752]

No one cares what you are. How is that relevant?

[@paulfrost8952]

@@toddianuzzi9296 he only missed putting the word “belt” after the word “black” as in black belt also if I’m not mistaken he said his a black belt in judo as well as TDK.! No racism involved 🥋

[@paulfrost8952]

@@toddianuzzi9296 ho-ho-ho

[@frontenac5083]

Do you do black-face when practicing taekwondo? OK... To each their own I suppose!

[@mikemakesmusic7]

I absolutely love this. Reminds me a lot of Jocko Willink‘s “unless someone is physically restraining me or trapping me, I’m running away.“ with a lot more practical application. if you wanna be the tough guy, be the tough guy that no one knows about until they force your hand. That’s the tough AND smart guy.

[@myaominky]

I don’t know how the YT algorithm sent me here but I’m so glad it did. This is wonderful and I’m sending it to all the other women in my family ❤️

[@dalejerden1878]

One nice thing about Walmart is that there are trash cans out front you can stop at and throw away some nothing while assessing the situation such as someone walking in tandem with you, used that one a couple months ago.

[@charlesmcneilly8817]

Thanks for sharing Mike, great advice. My wife and I were shopping at ROSS'S in Wilmington probably 8 years ago and something similar happened. We were followed in by 4 nefarious looking gentlemen. They stayed in sight of us the whole shopping trip until checkout when they quickly exited and walked to the far side of our minivan instead of their car. I asked a store employee to call the local authorities and just barely exited the store entrance with my wife who would not leave my side. I pulled out my cellphone and started flashing pictures when the 4 gentlemen started running from the opposite side of our vehicle to theirs. They must have been late to an appointment because they quickly sped away. Not saying that was the best option or decision, but it worked. I was legally carrying concealed, but wanted to keep myself and wife close to the safety of the store. They were later apprehended because they had been successful in the criminal career before and were staying just blocks from the store. They kept robbing people at stores near their apartment it seems.

[@raydrexler5868]

I’m glad you didn’t end up in a shoot out in a parking lot. There are always a lot of innocent people around and bullets never go where you want them to.

[@marianotorrespico2975]

SORRY YOU WERE CHEATED. | Gosh. That would have been neat, shooting trash into the gutter. At the least, you were safe.

[@drgetwrekt869]

at least in the US the police comes.

[@marianotorrespico2975]

@@drgetwrekt869 -- YES. | . . . and READY to shoot whomever needs shooting.

[@TJ77790]

Why call them “gentlemen”???

[@TheElbowMerchant]

I like the "oops, I forgot something" method, but I REALLY want Mike to teach us the "rip out the throat" technique. I'd be out there going for the Turkey of throat rips, guaranteed.

[@Sceadusawol]

Something for the beginning of April, perhaps?

[@nothenking4546]

madix got that tall in 2 year!?!?!?!

[@DaveFu]

Ripping someone's throat out is near impossible. There's nothing sharp that would puncture the skin around the neck. Its why they need an xacto knife or similarly sharp to do an emergency tracheotomy and get someone breathing. Now crushing it is a lot more likely.

[@popeye5274]

That’s called the Roadhouse technique.

[@TheElbowMerchant]

@popeye5274 Thank you! This was the joke I was trying to make, but I also would have accepted a McGruber reply because of the Turkey part. I understand ripping the throat out with bare hands alone is unrealistic, but we all have dreams, right?

[@matthewwynne939]

I'm reminded of how the difficult thing about being mugged when I was a teenager was how I saw it coming. There were these three thuggish looking guys up head who were talking to each other and pointing at me and my friend as we were approaching. What we should have done was either go back or going a different direction, but as prideful teenagers we kept on going straight ahead towards them. At least I learned that lesson which helped me to avoid a similar situation several years later when I could see several guys were sizing me up and they split off in different directions and one of them approached me to ask me what time it was. I just shook my head and walked in a different direction then they were expecting.

[@byronharano2391]

I was waiting for a friend at a bus stop station late at night in a very well lit area, but without a lot of foot traffic. Out of the dark I spotted someone walking about 50 feet away as if materializing from nowhere. Suddenly I noticed a change in this person's travel of direction toward me. I moved very quickly not taking my eyes off of this interloper and I sad absolutely nothing. I placed a fence between me and this person and I had a clear avenue to escape toward safety. When the person rounded the corner where I was no longer at. He stopped, looked around confused, then walked off into the darkness never to reappear. I didn't confront the weirdo nor made my location known. I rather run and live then fight and possibly get murdered. That was not comfortable at all, blessings to Holy Spirit I was alert the whole time. Situational awareness...a life saver

[@williamdevlin366]

Hey man, I just saw this video & told my wife,”Watch this with me.” I tell her to cruise through parking lots & pay attention to everything & look inside of stores to see the layouts/aisles as she walks in. It’s just a NY thing to me but it’s 100% Security 101. I’m subscribing! Thank you; I hope people get this on their feed! 🇺🇸

[@Cetok01]

I have used that technique before, but many years ago I had to adopt a slightly more aggressive variation. I was walking down a street one night when I (with head on swivel) noticed not only a young man about fifty feet away following and gaining on me, but there was also another guy who had been sitting on a church's front steps across the street, who got up and began walking toward me , diagonally crossing the street. I realized I probably couldn't outrun them but I began walking a bit faster. They began walking faster. I wasn't really a fighter, but I happened to have had a pocketknife on me. Putting myself in the mental status of preparing to fight, I nevertheless kept walking away as I pulled it out and opened it, then I held it at my side in a reverse grip, wiggling it so the polished blade would reflect the streetlights, making sure they could see it. Then I began slowing down, but continued walking away. I glanced back again, and they both simultaneously turned and walked away, back the way they had come. I continued walking home. God is good.

[@elijahparker7655]

By my reckoning, YOU changed how that encounter went...

[@mt-nv4jd]

And you did not know if they brought a gun to a knife fight...

[@Cetok01]

@@mt-nv4jd Eventually, you need to make a decision. I did. I didn't directly threaten them, I warned them. They were far enough away to make their own decision. They did.

[@jerryvandevort2366]

@Cetok01 frank Mir the ufc fighter says he never leaves his house without 2 blades one in each pocket. I've usually got mine on me sometimes I forget.

[@Cetok01]

@@jerryvandevort2366 It's better to have and not need...

[@rozchristopherson648]

Another defense tactic a friend told me many years ago is to act like you’re injured/sick in some way. Start limping, moaning in pain, dragging your feet, pretending to vomit, etc. Most attackers/robbers won’t want to bother with all that.

[@buckeyethrifter8794]

Three things have happened to me. Two guys following me after a football game - it was dark and they got closer and closer. I walked up onto a porch where I knew the family and pretended to open the door - they turned and ran. Another time I was approched at a stop sign. A guy on each side of the car tried the doors, they were locked! My driver window was down a crack and that guy reached inside - I floored the car and did not care if he was going to drag along with me! The third time someone was hiding under my pickup truck when I was taking college classes in the evening. ALWAYS try to look under your car- come up to it at an angle and look.

[@jerrythomas9041]

I love this. Confrontation ALWAYS gets you into something you don't want to be a part of. Most of us are not trained enough to face an attacker head on without getting hurt.

[@ryanreeves3165]

I have used "Oops I forgot" when being eyed by a man inside a fast food restaurant. It was actually kind of fun, pretending to go out, seeing him leave the restaurant, and turning back inside. He couldn't go back in without showing his hand, but the look on his face said it all. He eventually left.

[@cdcdogs4961]

I was swarmed inside Walmart by a group (6-7) of 1% MC. These guys not only harassed me but also some of the female employees. I noticed a couple at each exit & one followed directly behind me at checkout. A few others were walking in and out of other checkouts, it was obvious they were communicating with each other. I used your tactic as I was leaving and went inside to CS and let management know something was going on, apparently a couple of their employees had also reported the same. Long story short, I called my husband and told him, 15 min later he arrived with my three bodybuilder sons. They pulled up to the front door where I was waiting, all three hopped out and escorted me to my truck. All the while the dude’s hung around their bikes and watched us leave together.🥵 ps. I’ve always had a natural sense of situational awareness that my friends called paranoia. 🥴

[@denisedevaughn544]

I walked out of Walmart during the day and 4 guys surrounded me and started screaming in Spanish. We need food, give us money. I was terrified. I couldn’t move and screamed “Go away, leave me alone” as loud as I could. Two other big guys stepped in and broke them up and one guy walked me to my car. Now I carry pepper spray on my key ring. I don’t carry a purse. I have a mini wallet with my cards, key fab, pepper spray and a toy looking thing. If I push the button, it’s an annoying alarm. My collection of stuff is always in my hand. I leave my phone in the car. I wouldn’t hesitate to swing my key ring against someone. May not stop an attacker but it will hurt them. I practice how to use pepper spray. Never wear ear phones and always be aware of your surroundings. Trust your gut and if you don’t feel safe walking out alone as for someone to walk you to your car.

[@contessa.adella]

Yeah, you probably don’t want to eye ball someone who looks like trouble. Professional thieves will likely move on because they do not want to be identified, but if the ‘trouble’ has anger or aggression issues, mental health issues etc, looking directly at them with a purposeful stare will likely trigger them. Trouble will most likely walk at you with a fast pace shouting “what you lookin’ at?” or similar. If you hang around to answer, they will be upon you. Nutters are like animals, unpredictable and can’t be reasoned with so don’t try, every interaction will make them angrier.

[@michaelschmidt4352]

My wife has been using this for years to get back into stores or the gym and have someone escort her back to her car. It for sure stopped her from getting attacked.

[@michaelschmidt4352]

@@tatumergo3931 There's a difference between a fight with somebody and trying to stop somebody who is bringing chaotic violence to you.

[@podocrypto6072]

Years ago, my Tae Kwan Do martial arts Sabomnim (Korean master teacher) who was an 8th degree grand master, sat us down in one of our ranking black belt classes, proceeded to teach us true engagement of self defense. The bottom line was he said the wisest of all within the art, was to looking ahead, see a potential situation and avoid it all together. I think this technique is probably the most honest practical tip someone (anyone) could use to avoid a potential threat. It's better to do that 1000 times than to find yourself in a real situation just 1 time.

[@podocrypto6072]

@@tatumergo3931 It's good to know "true passive self-defense" just in case all else fails and you find yourself with no choice but to protect yourself or someone else. There is no violence to that, only a protection of such violence. But avoidance in the first place is the key to keeping violence from even starting.

[@rickerhart907]

Exactly! The same lesson was taught in my TKD classes, and I can't count the number of times it has kept me out of trouble. Physical contact should be Last Resort, as you never know how a fight will turn out

[@rickerhart907]

​@@tatumergo3931 the first lesson of violence is to save yourself and the other Innocents around you. The aftermath can be sorted out later. If you are going to carry a weapon or take deadly martial arts classes such as TKD, you should definitely study the laws regarding self-defense oh, so you know what to do in a given situation.

[@rickerhart907]

@@tatumergo3931 I don't know about most other people, but in the neighborhood I grew up in I learned what violence was pretty quick. I've been in more street conflict and Bar scuffles then most people, and the best lessons I learned were from bad people beating the shit out of me. I'm glad you can be so philosophical about it, but I like to keep it simple. Violent, aggressive people, only respect people that are more violent than they are.

[@rickerhart907]

@@tatumergo3931 there's really nothing to argue about. Conflict of any kind is an in-depth lifelong study with classes being held in the dojo, on the street,down at the biker bar on Saturday nite, and reading hundreds of books from " The Art of War " to " Band of Brothers" to see how other warriors, willing or unwilling, handled the situation they found themselves in. There are no hard-and-fast, easy answers in a fluid situation. Any conflict, from the schoolyard fistfight to a gunfight, may not go your way, and it's just best to avoid it altogether.

[@nmg5100]

No joke, I just used this technique at Walmart an hour ago. Thankfully I saw this video when it came out. I noticed a guy as I was leaving Walmart. He had no cart and no bags. And was walking slow. It's Christmas Eve, it was busy, everyone should want to go home as soon as possible. But he made eye contact will me and was in front of me walking slower and if I kept at my pace I'd be in front with him behind me. I was also talking to a friend while on the phone. I'm almost never on the phone when walking but this time I was. I then decided to turn left and go down a different lane to get back to my car which was at the very back of the lot. A third way down he was walking in parallel with me in the other lane and I saw he was looking at me. Didn't take too long after that I used the technique. Pretended I forgot something and ran back to the door I came out of. Then I went back to the automotive area where I was earlier buying something, and stayed there for 15-20 minutes. I was on the phone with my friend the whole time. Then I decided to get off the phone and go out the other entrance of Walmart. I figured he would be gone, or not in that area after that amount of time went by. I also thought about getting security, but chose not too. I walked out from around the opposite side, watched everyone as I walked, and when I was close enough to my car I made a run for it. Unlocked the car started it and got out of there as fast as I could. Thank You! It worked. I had a bad feeling, and something just wasn't right. I could have been wrong about it, but why take a chance. It was schetch for sure. Thank you so much. That technique saved me from something stupid, I know it. 🙏

[@Scientist_Salarian]

LOVE the Active Self Protection shout out! Absolutely the most valuable channel on YT for protectors.

[@watchpug5225]

Just realized that thing I do to avoid looking awkward and dumb in public when I step into the wrong alley is apparently considered a "Self Defense Technique" 😅

[@jl696]

Excellent advice. I've used this "I forgot something" technique before. I didn't like the group I saw in the parking lot. After feeling around my pockets for a few uncomfortable seconds, I went back into the store and had some Starbucks. I went back out after 15 minutes and they were gone. I'll never know if I avoided a bad situation or not but I enjoyed a nice iced chai.

[@joer1402]

I've avoided so many bad situations doing all these things. Gets so you have a sixth sense about this. I've had people follow me trying to engage me and I just do the "hey, gotta go emergency, sorry". Done all of these, check the time, lost something etc. Live in the Southwest now. Had someone ask me how I could live in New York City without a gun. I said "situational awareness"! Great post!

[@naguerea]

Great advice, glad I watched.. And now I understand the phrase Sketchiest. do not go to sketchy places.

[@cecilwampler8733]

Good information. I liked that you actually went to a location and the video wasn't just you in an office or room discussing it. Good video.

[@zodiac154]

Anyone that trains knows that this advice is really good. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid random (weird) confrontations at all cost. Going home to your loved ones is the real win in life.

[@TangoGeometria]

I always use a zig zag in these scenarios, but I never thought of the 'Oops I forgot something' technique. I will use that when I'm sure an ambush is coming. In these scenarios keep your head on a swivel, side to side. Zig zags can unsettle attackers & allows you to see blind spots. Its also great when hiking down a steep hill. Thanks!

[@ElrondHubbard_1]

Lol, i totally do the "oops i forgot something move". I just can't remember when and why... It reminds me of cutting through the gas station to avoid a light while saying out loud, "i need some gas... Oh yeah, no I don't!" Thumbnail is hilarious!

[@Priapos93]

A little humility is one of the best self-defense techniques

[@3nertia]

I really like that you made a point of saying, "You don't have to find out if you were right" - I feel like our curiosity can get the best of us sometimes ...

[@steveabraham3052]

Bro… stop! 00:00:54 in and you asked “Where, is there a sketchiest parking lot?” Before you panned over to the Wal Mart sign, I thought to myself, “Wal Mart” 🤣🤣🤣

[@jonsmith20766]

This is great advice. Also ; Know exactly where the torch (Flashlight for Americans) is on your phone and make it as easy to access as possible without thinking too much. If someone is threatening or attacking you at night, having an intense light in their face gives you a big advantage.

[@debbiejohnson7758]

I have been doing curbside pick up for my groceries at Wally's for awhile now. Not only does it help manage my time wisely, but it also prevents situations like this from occurring by being able to be more secure in my own vehicle and surrounded by other customers picking up, and the employees bringing out the orders and loading them up for customers. No need to exit my vehicle and my 2ndA is right beside me.

[@laurapahlke8591]

Be careful! My neighbor was followed by two vehicles after a pick up at Wally. Luckily, she outsmarted them.

[@charlescollier7217]

"Trust your instincts." Essential. This is an absolutely legit self-defense measure.

[@FreshGrey-pm4vw]

Just today walking my little dog at a university on spring break, so very empty, I encountered 2 weirdos. One was a big guy, who popped around a corner and took me by surprise then asked me in a strange way "can I pet your dog?".....I was walking fast and said No, he is funny with strangers. And kept walking. 2nd weirdo riding a bike toward me on the sidewalk, I crossed the street, he crossed the street! I went back to the other side again and he stopped his bike and started weaving back and forth like a crazy person. Then he turned around and left.

[@Official_MikeyT]

Another good one is to always drive through or back in when entering your chosen parking spot.

[@patrickbodine1300]

Each and every time.

[@JoeServo]

I used to use this technique all the time when I worked closing at a sketchy bar, it also helped me know who was lurking around long after closing because oftentimes that person would comment on it or call me “absentminded”, say something like “I see you leaving, you’re always forgetting things!”, meanwhile I’m thinking, well that’s strange, I didn’t *see* anybody in the parking lot, but I had a strange feeling I was being watched when I performed that pantomime, nice to know *I* wasn’t being paranoid or crazy, at least! I never got robbed personally but the place got broken into often.

[@cr4ckp1dgeon]

A better way of talking about the homeless problem in regards to self-defense is that the most likely person to rob you is a desperate person and the person most likely to randomly assault you is an intoxicated one, and that those two things are common (but definitely not exclusive to) in the homeless population.

[@patrickbodine1300]

Spot on with the wm parking lot!

[@dondtektor8537]

In my 63 years of life, that is the best self defense instruction I have ever seen. I will have my wife and 3 daughters watch this. Thank You,,,,

[@rickerhart907]

All the points you made are valid. I learned early on that it's a wicked world and it's best to have a deadly weapon on you at all times when you leave the house. Took Taekwondo for a while. Also lived in a rough neighborhood, and had many experiences with Street conflict and attempted robberies. Now that I'm an old cripple, the one lesson that I learned early on, that is saved my life a couple of times, is to keep space between you and any potential aggressor. And it never hurts to look like the crazy old man that hasn't got anything to lose.

[@marilynm5024]

Thanks! The best defense is getting away from the situation. Great lesson

[@frontenac5083]

And such an original one! Lol. (But sure, still true though, of course!)

[@geoffas]

I've studied martial arts and unarmed military combat for 45 years and now that I'm old and white-haired, I actually learned something new today. Thank you for sharing this info.

[@irawhitlock1084]

This is so good. Especially about avoiding hurting an attacker. It’s not as if you’d just get to walk away without any legal ramifications. Short story: I’m an older guy that has always basically been sort of a runt; so over the years I’ve always deliberated about whether or not I should carry a gun. One evening last year, on a whim, my wife and I decided to take a train ride from one small town to the next; just 13 minutes. We’d never been on a train so we thought it’d be fun; and it was, until we got off at the next town. When we got off at the next town, the “station” was a defunct old tiny locked up shack in a large vacant lot that sat at the bottom of a hill against a large retaining wall to the south and a large empty building on the hill to the north so the area was completely hidden from sight. There were no signs of life and barely any lighting. Sketchy is an understatement. To add insult to injury, the person that we’d hoped could pick us up, couldn’t. So we got an Uber and sat and waited. While I was using my phone’s flashlight to read a map that was on a kiosk, I heard my wife’s terrified voice call my name from behind me. I turned around to see a big, young, rough and strong looking guy running right at me from about 30 feet away. I was completely caught off guard and started circling away and to my left. It seemed that he didn’t realize my wife was there about 30 feet away to my left and her voice seemed to throw him off a bit; he slowed his pace a bit and then he asked me for a cigarette to which I replied I didn’t have any. He then diverted his path to my right and went onto the train tracks and into the pitch darkness. There was a wall on the other side of the tracks so once anyone got on the tracks, they couldn’t continue on to the opposite side. My wife and I then moved toward the nearby street and positioned ourselves under the one street light in the area. As we stood there waiting for our ride, we dimly saw the guy walking back by along the dark tracks looking at us and he went behind the station building. We were strategizing what to do if he came at us from around the other side of the station when our Uber pulled up and we were saved. The driver said he almost declined because of the location and the late time. I was actually a little relieved that I didn’t have a gun, because I think I might have just reacted and fired because I was so surprised and he was so close and coming at me so fast. Ultimately he didn’t really do anything so I think I would have been in big trouble if I had shot him. But, if he had attacked me, and I hesitated to get my gun, or just didn’t have one, I would have been screwed. It really got me to thinking more about self defense and what I should be doing to be prepared for the situation where you can’t avoid the attack. I know I could have just not blindly gone to that station, but things can happen where you end up in a situation where you can’t avoid an attack. I really don’t know what the solution is. My old sensei always said “better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6”. Not sure how I feel about that.

[@brocknspectre1221]

To me, the hardest part of this technique is, "You don’t have to find out if you were right." I’m a curious person who never leaves things well enough alone. I gotta work on that….

[@OutToTheWoods]

Me too

[@amazinggrace5692]

Make the wrong decision once and you’re cured. Or dead.

[@pettylevelexpert984]

I saw a guy following me in Walmart once but I just kept moving it was late and I had just gotten off work. As I was walking to my car I saw him coming toward me and we made eye contact, I stopped in my tracks (I panicked), but he continued to walking towards me, I never dropped eye contact. I just opened my purse and then HE stopped and went the other way. At the time I didn’t have a CCW yet. There was nothing in my purse but old receipts and lip gloss. But I got a license after that.

[@sandrarichardson2713]

I've used that a few times....the 'have your hand in your purse.' It might look a little weird if someone is watching you for a reason. Anyone else with no motive thinks you're just reaching for your keys. But someone watching you for a few minutes thinks you have more in there than keys. Good job. Jesus bless.

[@mettamorph4523]

I did a similar move at a gas pump. It was 10AM. Only me at the pumps. A man walking down the street toward the gas station crosses diagonally over to my side of the street toward my location. I walk around to the passenger side and reach under the seat to grab something while keeping my eyes on him. I pull that something out, concealing my hand and remain facing him. He walks past the gas station. I finish pumping and leave. The "something" was an assist handle that helps my father get out of my lowslung car.

[@SapphireUnique]

Acting WORKS. When i was 17, some 6 foot 4 monster junkie tried to mug me and my friend. The junkie had more than 10 of his boys nearby ready to run in after him (the ring leader). He started asking us for the time, asking for a smoke etc, the typical stuff before someone tries to roll you. My sister had her car there nearby, but we were waiting for my mates mum to come and get him. So when all this went down my sister didnt really know what to do and we all freaked. In an ideal world we should have already been IN her car, but we just didnt expect to get rolled. She tuurned her car on (mums broken down car that took 30 seconds to turn on) and she slowly came closer. That's when something clicked in me (teenage drunk creativeness). so... as we were about to get jumped, I changed the energy from fear/confrontation to "hey my homie its all love" and with a HUGE change in volume and movement i pointed at out would be attacker and said "BRO< WAIT RIGHT THERE I GOT U, THE CIGARRETTES? REMEMBER THE CIGARETTES FROM LAST NIGHT? THEY ARE IN MY SISTERS CAR RIGHT THERE!" I skip hopped happily away from the attacker whilst distracting him and getting to follow me slowly while keeping some distance. Luckily my mate spoke the a matching 2nd language so when i got distance i told him "get in the fkn car now" in that language. We locked the doors and escaped to safety and drove off, flipping all 15 of his homies the bird out the window. it was wild. Long story short, this absolutely works. Change the environment in any way you need to. Fake love can buy valuable seconds and time to KO someone or get a head start to run away. Anywho, i now train Muay Thai for the last 7 years or so so things are different. Been jumped so many times that i ended up training. Funny how you get attacked less when you are more ready for the rumble. 1 more story, ill keep this one short. But last year i was at a bar and a 6 foot 6 cracked out dude came thru yelling who tf stole my meds and threatened the entire bar, innocent women in front of him with a chair. He started swining it around etc and started throwing glass at walls.... I managed to somehome be one of the only 2 ppl that could circle behind him out of firing range. and KOing someone that size would be hard af. My mate had a broken leg so he couldnt do shit. Anyway, i escorted my freind behind me out the bar and got him to safety, got the door open. I came back and TUENRED UP the energy and was like "OI B**** C***, COME AND FIGHT ME IF UR GONNA PRETENT DTO BE A MAN. YOU B****. B**** ASS. B****. B****. Anyway just kept calling him that until he dropped the chair/weapon and got away from the civilians and pulled him out of the bar and got them to lock the door while i drew him into the alleyway to fight me, while keeping like 20 meters of space at all times. While i was doing this though, he would snap in confusion and ask who i was. Thats where i took the opportunity to feed into his psychosis and tell him im his friend, im an angel etc etc in order to keep him occupied and distracted from throwing chairs at innocent ppl. Cops arrived after 20 mins of him roaming the streets harassing ppl while i kept him distracted. Shit was gnarly. TLDR. Emotions such as love and aggression can help you buy valuable time and save lives. Love and light bro

[@doreenb3411]

This was a very helpful video. I’m a 67 yoa female who definitely can’t move very quickly. I’ve never heard of the oops, I forgot something method but think it’s pretty genius. I try to always be aware of my surroundings, don’t travel at night unless I absolutely have to and just generally use common sense. Even so, thieves and bad guys operate in broad daylight too so now I feel like I have a technique I can use if I encounter sketchy people and feel scared or threatened. Thanks for this!

[@bghvid]

Okay... I don't comment often ... 1st time seeing one of your vids ... Professional martial arts instructor here teaching 33 classes every week and have done so for 35 years ... THANK YOU for some common sense self defense talk. I don't usually click on any thing like this because usually I regret it afterwards. Took a chance on your vid and it was refreshing. New sub here.

[@michaelbeckerman7532]

This is EXCELLENT advice! People really do need to learn to be good ACTORS in this world. This is every bit as important as your degree of situational awareness. Both are absolutely KEY to remaining safe in public. The other skill you always need to have at the ready is your ability to RUN! When all else fails, you need to be able to OUTRUN anyone that is chasing you. This is why you NEED to stay in good enough shape at all times so that if you needed to out-accelerate and out-run someone, you could - and on very short notice.

[@malkomalkavian]

Yeah, nobody can outrun age :)

[@Sacciuiguai]

This could work if your family or loved ones aren't around you.

[@Kathryn721]

aka, the introvert's tactic when seeing people they don't want to interact with. I'm so happy this technique I've mastered can help for self defense too!

[@SouthSideChiTown]

I work in healthcare, in trauma ICU and I see the aftermath of situations that these people need to avoid so your advice is excellent and right on point!👍

[@DrGoldieMD]

I literally had a bad feeling about a guy standing next to my car in a parking lot today. He was about 20 feet away. He was staring at my while smoking a cigarette. I got a really bad vibe from him so I quickly got into my car, locked the door and drove away. Then this video was recommended to me. I really like this technique. I will make sure I’m more aware of my surroundings in transitional areas 🙏🏽

[@michaelsanchez8457]

I have used this technique on some really dangerous people. If you can keep your face still, you really don't need to pantomime something. You can just change direction, loop around, go to the guarded area. Predators often are like mountain lions, so sometimes just stopping and looking directly at someone will send them the other way. They often want a surprise attack.

[@kristatraumavictor]

True. The I see you eye contact with a predator let’s them know you can recall their face in a lineup.

[@CorporateG0th]

Unless it's one of those chronic shitstarters with an impulse control issue and they figure they gotta move now, or they decide to accept the challenge and just outright rob you. Which if it's more than one, likely.

[@patgiblinsongs5]

Great video! Mike, your quote, “Why should I have to inconvenience myself?!”, has probably been the last thought of a lot of tough guys…just before they’re in standing in front of the pearly gates, wondering how they got there!

[@ritapearl-im3wv]

I have been doing this for years and years. It HAS saved my life. Basically, AWARENESS and not being afraid to look stupid or forgetful. ❤️🕊❤️

[@blackhawksq1939]

I used this Technique back in November at Universal. I'd just arrived and was hungry so I walked to City Walk. It was dark and my first time there. After eating I explored a bit and found myself by the ticket kiosk. I went ahead and pulled our tickets and started walking back towards the hotel. I noticed a group of people hanging in the shadows started following me. I suddenly had a craving for a shake and stopped at Chocolate Emporium. When I came out they were still there not too far from the entrance. So I went into another store and waited until they left. While looking at t-shirts.

[@katrina2931]

I used that one and I think it really saved my mom and I. We were walking out of a mall and I noticed several young men following us/watching us. Right before we stepped out into the parking terrace I grabbed my mom and told her I forgot something and walked straight to the customer service desk. I think they would’ve followed us out and robbed us.

[@thelograph7162]

"I'm sure people really like you." OH that's hilarious! I LOL.