Getting Mugged

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

A big part of my mindset comes from the fact that I'm simply too slow to get away from virtually anyone - and I've tried.

The point and idea to any sort of self-defense strategy, be it quick talking, quick running, or quick-to-the-punch is to keep the other guy from hurting you.

Do that the best way possible. Your idea of best may vary.

[Drizzlin]

I just want to echo what Drizzlin said. Please don't let your 2 years, 5 years, 10 years whatever martial arts training create a false sense of invulnerability. I too have trained for over a decade in various forms of karate and BJJ and in this entire time I have looked at this training as a means of creating space to get away. It especially alarms me when mothers have an impression that their daughters should have anything else in mind when in a confrontation other than getting away. Any sensei that hints their student should be looking for another outcome than this should have their coaching licence revoked.

The key to what Psedo said, is creating space to get away . If you can touch me, you are too close to me.

[miltonyorkcastle]

Advice:
Offer the men (or women) with bricks your wallet. Then offer them dinner. Offer them a safe place to sleep. Offer them a ride to work. Offer them a job. Offer them friendship.

There's a chance they'll completely take advantage of you. A good chance. But there are better odds that the person(s) will want to know why you offer them what you do, and you can tell them, "Because I believe you can do better. Because I've been where you are. And because I could have used a little help back then."

That said, I also agree with this:

If the life of myself or someone I care for is in danger, or I felt for one second they planned on taking more than my personal belongings, I would kill them. End of story.

In other words, be an Az'attan until blood is drawn. Then be a smiting Toranite.

[DMOE]

I just want to echo what Drizzlin said. Please don't let your 2 years, 5 years, 10 years whatever martial arts training create a false sense of invulnerability. I too have trained for over a decade in various forms of karate and BJJ and in this entire time I have looked at this training as a means of creating space to get away. It especially alarms me when mothers have an impression that their daughters should have anything else in mind when in a confrontation other than getting away. Any sensei that hints their student should be looking for another outcome than this should have their coaching licence revoked.

As the only mother with a daughter who commented....I assume this is aimed at me....

Yes I am happy she could give someone a butt kicking if she needed to...

Not because I think she should be giving someone a butt kicking rather than a) not getting into the situation in the first place or b) getting away as quickly as possible....

But simply because life isn't perfect or ideal and if push comes to shove one day and she can't get away for some reason...and trust me, I pray that day never comes.....she at least has a much better chance of protecting herself than someone who's not studied Karate or any other decently taught martial art....Forgive me if I find that slightly comforting.

I said she would be capable of giving someone a butt kicking if they came at her...Not that I or her sensei were actively encouraging her to do so....That was your assumption....There is a difference between being capable of doing something and actually doing it.

[Pseudonym]

Heh, I didn't mean that to sound like a slur! Apologies if it came across that way. I have pretty strong feelings about this from personal experience when a kid from my old dojo came off second best when he intervened in a brawl. As Drizzlin stated, 99% of karate forms one might study is primarily for sporting purposes and i'd hate for anyone to think that it necessarily translates into a 'real' situation. This is, of course, without knowing the specifics of yours, or anyone else's style of martial art. Read my post as you will but it was posted with good intention (even if it didn't read that way, sorry!).

[gilshem ironstone]

Why don't you try to install a hidden camera where they have been known to carry out their muggings and try to get them on tape.  That way, you might get them sent to jail and that is the best long-term solution.

Otherwise, I am firmly in the "Do whatever you can to get away until you can't," camp.  As every warrior knows, combat is always the last resort.

[Polak76]

I'm impressed with all the Martial arts students around.  I'm surprised we don't see more monks in the game...then again it might be the same reason there isn't all that many in game.

In all seriousness though, we can feel rather brave about what we would do or like to do right now, however, I guarantee that if and only if something like this happens, all this chat is meaningless when fear kicks in.

It is usually at times like this that training can overcome the fear and as Psuedo commented and 'look for a way out'.

I've been into some very ugly situations in my life and am very grateful to still be around.  Most of the time I've managed to elude the situation by having my wits about me.  

My advice is always keep your eyes and ears open and roll those 20's on your skill checks to avoid the situation entirely.  They'll most likely pounce on the easy targets so you need to avoid being an easy target altogether.

Cheers and stay safe.
Polak