A question for the ladies

[Kitten]

When I had someone enter my car whilst I was driving, it was my own fault as I was happily chatting away on my cell phone (illegal) and I was not paying attention to my surroundings ... I also used to keep my handbag on the seat next to me.
This entire episode could have been avoided had I been paying attention in the first place.

 

[Kitten]

I never said the levels were the same, I am saying there is crime everywhere. I personally wouldn't want to live in Aus anyway, it would quite possibly be one of my last choices of countries. That aside, I believe that people can live fairly safely and happily in South Africa with the right attitudes and awareness.

 

[Milano]

When I had someone enter my car whilst I was driving, it was my own fault as I was happily chatting away on my cell phone (illegal) and I was not paying attention to my surroundings ... I also used to keep my handbag on the seat next to me.
This entire episode could have been avoided had I been paying attention in the first place.

Yep, it's your fault

 

[Milano]

I never said the levels were the same, I am saying there is crime everywhere. I personally wouldn't want to live in Aus anyway, it would quite possibly be one of my last choices of countries. That aside, I believe that people can live fairly safely and happily in South Africa with the right attitudes and awareness.

Oh, ok. So you thought that I thought there was 0.0% crime in Aus? Hehe Nope, I knew that.

 

[Necuno]

I'm aware of my surroundings.

1st rule of survival- checked.

 

[Kitten]

Exactly. Now im also not saying that all crime related incidents are the victims fault, but I believe that people should be more aware of their surroundings, and not go about their business with the attitude "it won't happen to me". This is a beautiful country, it's sad to see people leave because they are afraid.

 

[blunomore]

It's the same advice that Breyten Breytenbach (yes, the lauded academic who spent years in prison fighting Apartheid) gave to the general public when interviewed about the violent crime situation in SA.

Hehe denial is a beautiful thing

Wherever you are / go, I hope you will be safe.

 

[Milano]

People: You do not have to feel guilty, ashamed, dirty or defensive about leaving SA.

 

[Necuno]

one important thing to remember when carrying a weapon;

you must be properly trained it in, willing and able to use it to its full extent. otherwise it will be taken and used against you or some one else.

 

[Milano]

Wherever you are / go, I hope you will be safe.

Why thank you. I wish the same for all myBB'ers.

 

[Necuno]

...training doesn't guarantee your survival, but at least it gives you that something extra that might help in your survival; obviously depending on the situation. Definitely if you train as if we were training and not as if in actual combat, that too will lessen the throughput when needed. Lastly, practical over flowery we call can look beautiful but its always a case of the correct moves for the correct situation; used correctly vs beatification and 'flowing like water'...

 

[CathJ]

People: You do not have to feel guilty, ashamed, dirty or defensive about leaving SA.

Nor do you have to feel guilty, ashamed, dirty or defensive about staying in SA.

Can we please not turn this into a debate about going/staying? There have been plenty of threads on that; you'll never change anyone's mind. Can we just to stick to how we protect ourselves, as women?

 

[Milano]

Can we please not turn this into a debate about going/staying? There have been plenty of threads on that; you'll never change anyone's mind. Can we just to stick to how we protect ourselves, as women?

By all means continue... (If people were secure in their choices it wouldn't have been taken so badly)

 

[blonde one]

<yawn>

Violent crime people. The level of violent crime in Aus is nowhere near SA. Forget it, live in denial and go shop for weapons

I'm sorry if this thread is boring you. The fact that people are discussing such things indicates that we are not living in denial but are being pro active about our safety. And who said anything about shopping for weapons?

It's the same advice that Breyten Breytenbach (yes, the lauded academic who spent years in prison fighting Apartheid) gave to the general public when interviewed about the violent crime situation in SA.

Hehe denial is a beautiful thing

Now it's my turn to yawn

I didn't 'talk down' to anyone first. I made a suggestion to some ladies that were discussing how to arm themselves. People called me daft, etc, etc...Read the thread in the same order it was posted.

We were not discussing how to arm ourselves. Read the thread in the order it was posted and you will see that it was a question aimed (for interest sake) at how we protect ourselves and what methods are used i.e. stun guns, pepper spray, nail files or self defense techniques. I hardly think this thread is going to make every female go out and buy the biggest meanest weapon they can find. Thanks for your (useless) suggestion but that wasn't part of the topic

My uncle and his family were held up in their home in Australia, so please ... There is crime everywhere. My cousin was almost stabbed on a train in the UK and was very lucky to have had people come and help when they did. Crime is everywhere. The fact that people choose to stay in SA does not make us idiots, some of us have things tying us down etc. I personally love this country, and I believe this post was aimed at helping people become more aware of their surroundings and not a moan session on how to escape the country.

Precisely that! Thanks Kitten.

By all means continue... (If people were secure in their choices it wouldn't have been taken so badly)

No, if you weren't so arrogant in trying to push your opinions it would not have been taken so badly....
Now apologize and go tend to your sheep

I agree with what the other members are saying, being aware of your surroundings and avoiding troublesome areas is the best way to avoid problems.

 

[FantaFest]

I got my girlfriend a stun gun for Christmas

Yeah I know,I'm a true ROMANTIC

Rather get her that than buying her a necklace she could get killed for

 

[Nicci]

I dont have any weapons, nor do I know self defence, but I avoid dodgy areas - and if I have to go to such an area - I take a friend with. I also try to avoid confrontation, and I am aware of my surroundings at all times. I dont stop at robots / stop streets at night, unless I have to.

 

[blonde one]

I got my girlfriend a stun gun for Christmas

Yeah I know,I'm a true ROMANTIC

Rather get her that than buying her a necklace she could get killed for

That's a sensible gift, unromantic? Yes but practical. Just make sure you don't buy her a mean assed rottweiler for Valentine's Day, she might not forgive you for that!

 

[FantaFest]

its one of those ones that has a wrist strap which you connect to the stun gun so if it is pulled the way and the wrist strap detaches they can not use it on you

 

[blonde one]

its one of those ones that has a wrist strap which you connect to the stun gun so if it is pulled the way and the wrist strap detaches they can not use it on you

That's the same as the one I have. Luckily I haven't needed to use it yet but it does give a small sense of security when driving alone especially against smash and grabbers. Has you g/f tried hers on anybody?

 

[Kitten]

I think its also important to prepare yourself for the worst scenario possible. Set some rules for yourself to follow in case you are in a situation which is dangerous. If you are in a situation you need to stay calm, think clearly, do as they say, and try not panic. I watched a segment where a hijacker was interviewed, and he said that he murdered someone purely out of panic himself. This driver reached to take her belt off, he thought she was going for a weapon, he panicked and was high on drugs and shot her.

Now obviously we DONT want to be in this situation in the first place, so being aware is number 1. However, if you find yourself in a situation such as this its very important to know that you're dealing with an unstable person who is more than likely terribly high on drugs and is not thinking clearly himself/herself.

I personally think a weapon is dangerous as most of the time its taken away and used against you ... But if you feel better with it, then thats fine .. i couldnt have one due to road rage