how women should look to avoid being mugged

[sweet_mayhem]

do you have some tips as to how women should look --what to wear, what to bring (not placed inside the bag but something which is seen on public)--to avoid being mugged?

my sister advised that i should avoid having all my hair tied in a ponytail since this makes it easier for holduppers to pull my hair, thus, giving me little chance to fight back. she also said bringing a big umbrella makes you one of their least candidates. what do you think about these?

[vicki2]

I think it depends on where you are for starters. Having lived in Manhattan for a number of years, the important things to remember were to carry shoulder bags with the strap across your breasts so they couldn't snatch the bag easily, don't keep wallets in outer, accessible parts of a bag, walk with a purpose rather than sauntering, and the NY tradition of not making eye contact.

[tater03]

This is just a tip I was always told if you are out late at night. Try to park where there are some people or stores around. If for some reason you cannot try to park under a street light. The one thing I always try to do when leaving a place if it is late at night I always try to leave with someone if at all possible.

[brian]

There's also this nice thread here:
http://www.security-talk.co.uk/perso...afe-women.html

[matchbox20fan3]

I would agree with not carrying things a mugger would be interested in taking; also not wearing flashy things such as rings and necklaces that look very expenisve, if you look like you have nothing to offer than they will move on to someone who does.

[vicki2]

But there's common sense in all this too ...how many of us walk around alone in bad neighborhoods at night??? It pays to be cautious but there's a limit to how far I will go in ceasing to not wear what I want to wear lol.

[Slashmire]

I'd have to agree; even if one must be cautious in his life, the extents of changing your appearance, may just haunt you morally and not help much.

[hokeshel]

I used to work at a University and often was there alone at night. Just being in the building bothered me. Then, I had to walk to the car. To top it off, I lived in pervert central. I walked very fast, paid attention to my surroundings. I had taken some self defense classes, that helps with confidence. Muggings and stranger rapes aren't that common here but, I always tried to portray self confidence and acted as if I were in a hurry. I didn't carry a lot of things with me either. I wanted to be free to run if I needed to.

[ninikins]

Use your common sense but don't go over the top. things can happen anytime no matter how confident or prepared you think you are.

[jemoelle]

walking with your head up and paying attention to what is going on around you is good..make sure your keys are out and ready so you arent looking down trying to find them