Ask Lemmy

If someone asks you a question your answer is always “no.”

“Do you know the time?” “No”

“Do you want a free bottle of designer perfume?” “No”

“Can I ask you a question?” “No”

“Do you want to help starving children?” “No”

“My name is James, what’s your name?” “No”

There’s no upside to interacting with people on the street. Don’t be polite because they’ll use it against you.

Don't look tough, look crazy. People don't bother me in the street. It's because I dress like a hobo and mutter / silently move my lips talking to myself while walking down the sidewalk. If they do manage to get me to make eye contact, it's intense enough they wish they hadn't. A wallet and groping my ass aren't worth losing an eyeball or testicle to what looks like a tweaker.

Throw them off their rhythm.

Never give the money before you have the stuff in your hand, and can confirm that it is, indeed, the good stuff.

Always look at both sides before you start crossing the road.

Don't put a climbing rope on asphalt the oils will mess it up.

Walk with a purpose.

Keep eye contact to a minimum.

Use mirror, reflections and shadows to tell movement without looking directly at it.

Don't use headphones, you need your senses.

Don't listen to strangers.

Trust your gut.

Stray dogs:
If you pass somewhere and there are suddenly stray dogs in your way, just squat down and show your hands. Hands down, palms up. If they come to sniff and shit, keep your palms below their face. Basically let them come to you. When they trust you, you can pat the top of the head. But patting the top of the head before they know you can be dangerous, as you might use them to hit them, for example.

Usually within seconds the whole pack comes to get some love :)

I've never been attacked by a dog this way. But if a dog would come at me, actually aggressive and not slow down, I hear you should use your feet to defend yourself.

Don't just walk through their territory.

In the United States, the most common street name is second Street. That's because some municipalities have first Street and some municipalities have main Street.

Never go to a secondary location.

If you're out walking late at night, having bigger dogs help. Ain't nobody gonna come up to me looking for trouble if they see me walking a couple big pit mixes.

If someone is about to get in your path just look at where you're trying to walk instead of looking at them. They'll move instinctively.

Don't stop or talk when people are trying to talk to you in a public place, especially if you're in a foreign country.

Jaywalking is a-okay.

Look both ways before crossing...? Not sure what you mean

Edit: If you see something, no the fuck you didn't; snitches get stitches and wind up in ditches having shat their britches, or something like that.

If someone asks you where you're from say "nowhere"