Your Safety - Aware? Paranoid? Dont care?

jellie

In general, women are less physically strong than men, so following from that women are generally easier targets for violence.

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
It depends on the area, some places are dodgier than others, but in most cases I don't.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
I know girls who cant stay in their house alone because theyre afraid. Ill stay at home alone but i generally dont sleep too well, especially since a lot of houses around here have been broken into recently.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
If I'm in the city centre Ill usually get a taxi short distances at night to avoid having to walk too far alone in the dark. If im in my hometown and have to walk from the bus home at night i'll call someone to have someone to talk to and distract me, & obviously if something happened that person would know if i disappeared off the line.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?
What started me thinking about safety was a recent experience where my friends and I came across someone who seemed hurt while we were driving by at night in a very secluded area. The guys wanted to get out of the car and help, but we wouldnt let them. we spoke to the guy out the window, tried to make sure he was ok & called the relevant emergency services. there could so easily have been people hiding in the bushes, or he could have a knife - you just dont know - so we put our own safety first. turns out he got up and started to walk towards the car (after being curled in a ball 2mins before) so we drove off.
basically we put our own safety first, and its sad but the way things are today i think you HAVE to do this, particularly if youre not physically strong (as most females arent) and are in a vulnerable position.

So - are you aware of your safety & possible dangers around you? Are you over the top paranoid about it? do you go out of your way to stay safe?

Clare Bear

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
It depends on the area. If it's a well lit up place and there's a few people around I'm fine. Otherwise I wouldn't walk alone in the dark. Whether that's in a city or in the country. Plus I don't like the dark anyway. The furthest I walk in the dark alone is usually from the Nitelink to my apartment. About a 5 minute walk, it is very quiet and eery but it's a safe area so I'm not too scared walking it.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
I don't feel unsafe but I never sleep easy when I'm alone in a house. And I always need a light on.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
I just try to avoid situations like that when possible. And be careful of where I go. If I have to and I'm not happy with where I'm walking I'll get a taxi.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?


Honestly, no I wouldn't. It's sad but I've heard far too many stories where people going to help someone in need get hurt, injured or even killed. I'd try my best to get help somehow but I wouldn't put myself in danger. As far as I'm concerned my life is more important to me than a stranger's if it puts me in danger. Even if that's not the morally correct thing to do.

Madame Razz

Galway feels like a 'safe' city, so I think that helps. If I lived in Dublin I think I would be more paranoid tbh.

However, that said, I'm aware. I try not to take silly risks or put myself in a risky situations.

I could probably try harder tho.

I generally am not bothered by being home alone, my OH works away a lot of the time, and although we live together, I am home alone quite a bit so I just have to deal with it; I can get spooked on the occasional night alright. I got a dog at the start of the summer tho, and I must admit I do feel a bit safer with him here. And I ahev a night alarm setting on my burglar alarm, which is monitored and also has a panic button. I would be quite security conscious generally aswell tbh.

I would look out for people aswell, like if I saw somebody on their own at night in town or something, lokking abit confused or whatever, I would try to help them.

I have to say I took a lot more risks when I was single tbh, and thinking back on it, even though nothing ever happened, I really was stupid to do the things that I did and put myself in the situations that I did.

I never would, and never have walked home alone. I always stash away a tenner at the start of any night out just to be sure I have a way to get home, and having had a bad experience with a taxi driver a few years back, I always take note of the drivers name, type of car, number etc.

rannerap

i never feel not safe walking at night by myself,i probably should seeing as i live in tallaght!the only thing that makes me uncomfortable is being in the house by myslef,its not taht i feel unsafe its just that im used to having people all around me and it just feels odd when theres no one else there

pikachucheeks

I'd say I'm paranoid, to be honest - and I worry very easily.

A few weeks ago, I had to go to town to a friend's 21st on my own, didn't know the area I was walking around and I got lost. I did get frightened and nervous, because it was dark and when I turned around a corner, there was a group of junkies who started shouting at me!
I ended up running down the road, into a small B&B and asking the woman behind the desk how to get to where I wanted to go. She was lovely and really helped me out... Very thankful for that!

I can honestly say I never want to have to walk around town at night, on my own, again. It was dangerous and when I arrived at the party, I was in a bad mood because of it. Just felt so annoyed none of my friends had text me back about going to the party together, or helping me with directions!

You hear and read so much in the papers about attacks happening to people and it's quite frustrating when people don't take their safety as important and put themselves, or their friends, in risky situations.

Madame Razz

Clare Bear wrote: »

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?


Honestly, no I wouldn't. It's sad but I've heard far too many stories where people going to help someone in need get hurt, injured or even killed. I'd try my best to get help somehow but I wouldn't put myself in danger. As far as I'm concerned my life is more important to me than a stranger's if it puts me in danger. Even if that's not the morally correct thing to do.

That's actually a fair point.

I think situations like that can sometimes be a hoax too, so in saying that I would help somebody alone and distressed, I think it would honestly depend on the given situation at the time.


I certainly wouldn't put myself in actual danger for somebody, but sya somebody was walking on their own, well, then as a group we'd ask if they wanted to walk with us or whatever.

minidazzler

I live in a safe enough area, but I still sleep with an extendable Baton next to my bed and a few more dotted around the house.

Also have one or 2 very real looking toy guns, they are a diversion so I can get a to a proper weapon if needed.

I am prepared rather than Paranoid I think.

Madame Razz

This thread has just reminded me that I must invest in a wheel brace for the car.

jellie

Clare Bear wrote: »

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?

Honestly, no I wouldn't. It's sad but I've heard far too many stories where people going to help someone in need get hurt, injured or even killed. I'd try my best to get help somehow but I wouldn't put myself in danger. As far as I'm concerned my life is more important to me than a stranger's if it puts me in danger. Even if that's not the morally correct thing to do.

Im the same, you hear so many storied about people have been injured trying to help someone. my mums friends son was stabbed & killed when he tried to help a women being beaten by her bf. sometimes youre safer to keep to yourself, its sad but true.

Madame Razz wrote: »

Galway feels like a 'safe' city, so I think that helps. If I lived in Dublin I think I would be more paranoid tbh.

However, that said, I'm aware. I try not to take silly risks or put myself in a risky situations.

i think feeling safe can sometimes be bad thing. at least youre aware and dont take silly risks. i have a friend who insists shes safe walking on her own no matter where she is. she lived in the city centre for awhile and would always walk home alone at night saying its fine. shes always taking stupid risks like that. shes very lucky nothing has ever happened to her, but shes very stupid too.

pikachucheeks wrote: »

I'd say I'm paranoid, to be honest - and I worry very easily.

A few weeks ago, I had to go to town to a friend's 21st on my own, didn't know the area I was walking around and I got lost. I did get frightened and nervous, because it was dark and when I turned around a corner, there was a group of junkies who started shouting at me!
I ended up running down the road, into a small B&B and asking the woman behind the desk how to get to where I wanted to go. She was lovely and really helped me out... Very thankful for that!

I can honestly say I never want to have to walk around town at night, on my own, again. It was dangerous and when I arrived at the party, I was in a bad mood because of it. Just felt so annoyed none of my friends had text me back about going to the party together, or helping me with directions!

You hear and read so much in the papers about attacks happening to people and it's quite frustrating when people don't take their safety as important and put themselves, or their friends, in risky situations.

i think for me id never have gone wandering in town looking for somewhere i didnt know, you never know where youll end up. id definitely get a taxi if that was the case. though often taxi drivers dont know the place either, which doesnt really help :rolleyes:

Madame Razz

sar84 wrote: »

i think feeling safe can sometimes be bad thing. at least youre aware and dont take silly risks. i have a friend who insists shes safe walking on her own no matter where she is. she lived in the city centre for awhile and would always walk home alone at night saying its fine. shes always taking stupid risks like that. shes very lucky nothing has ever happened to her, but shes very stupid too.

I know what you mean. even in Galway city centre tho there are places I wouldn't walk alone tbh.

I think the smoking ban has been positive in this regard actually. Pubs in Galway now usually have people outside them smoking, so it does bring an added presene to the streets; they're not as lonely as they used to be.

I'd never walk around Dublin alone tho; or Cork. Or my home town actually, but that's prob because it's more dangerous than Dublin and Crok put together at night time:rolleyes:

Khannie

Jaysus. This thread is a real eye opener.

Madame Razz

Khannie wrote: »

Jaysus. This thread is a real eye opener.

In what way???

Khannie

Madame Razz wrote: »

In what way???

Eh...well....everyone seems to be living in fear to be honest. I think that's crap. I'm not. Maybe I should be.

Also, initially I was somewhat surprised at the lack of peoples desire to intervene to help out a randomer, but it is possibly a gender specific thing - i.e. that a male will /generally/ be stronger and therefore /generally/ is less at risk when intervening in an unspecified situation. I know that's very general, and waffley, but you get the idea. I'd say I'd be likely to put myself at risk to help someone who I felt needed it (edit: depending on the situation of course). I have done so before and it's worked out well for me (and them!). Also, I'd like to think that someone would help people that I care about if they needed it. You know, in a "what goes around" kind of way.

I'm waffling.

Madame Razz

Khannie wrote: »

Eh...well....everyone seems to be living in fear to be honest. I think that's crap. I'm not. Maybe I should be.

Also, initially I was somewhat surprised at the lack of peoples desire to intervene to help out a randomer, but it is possibly a gender specific thing - i.e. that a male will /generally/ be stronger and therefore /generally/ is less at risk when intervening in an unspecified situation. I know that's very general, and waffley, but you get the idea. I'd say I'd be likely to put myself at risk to help someone who I felt needed it (edit: depending on the situation of course). I have done so before and it's worked out well for me (and them!). Also, I'd like to think that someone would help people that I care about if they needed it. You know, in a "what goes around" kind of way.

I'm waffling.

I wouldn't think that I'm living in fear tbh, personally speaking anyway.

I do think you have a point on the gender thing. Women defiantely are more vulnerable at night than men in the main, I realise that there are exceptions to this, but generally speaking.

minidazzler

After reading Khannies post I realised my post made it seem like I am living in Fear. Sure there are Batons/weapons hidden all over my house, but that's not really paranoia or fear for me. It's just my brother hangs out with an unsavory bunch so I am prepared, they know I have them so I don't envision anything happening again, but if it does I will have my fun.

I would have no problem helping someone in need of assistance. I have been helped in the past, and while I don't believe in Karma, I do believe in paying it forward.

Cookie Jar

I live in the city center so most so most of the time im walking alone in the dark there would be plenty of cars around.
I don't think I've ever been in the situation that I'm afriad to walk alone in the dark.

I don't like being at home alone.. not sure if its fear or just not wanting to be alone.

I would like to think I would help a stranger in need if it was to my ability but have never been in a situation where I was needed.

jellie

Khannie wrote: »

Eh...well....everyone seems to be living in fear to be honest. I think that's crap. I'm not. Maybe I should be.

I dont think we're necessarily living in fear, more being aware of possible danger and taking precaution. id prefer for someone to have a slight fear & be CAREFUL rather than the opposite, doing something like having no fear and taking stupid risks like walking in a dodgy area alone at night.

Khannie wrote: »

Also, initially I was somewhat surprised at the lack of peoples desire to intervene to help out a randomer, but it is possibly a gender specific thing - i.e. that a male will /generally/ be stronger and therefore /generally/ is less at risk when intervening in an unspecified situation. I know that's very general, and waffley, but you get the idea. I'd say I'd be likely to put myself at risk to help someone who I felt needed it (edit: depending on the situation of course). I have done so before and it's worked out well for me (and them!). Also, I'd like to think that someone would help people that I care about if they needed it. You know, in a "what goes around" kind of way.

Youre a mod of Self Defence & martial arts so id guess youre pretty good at handling yourself and danger to your person, but not everyone is, particularly girls. if someone is hiding in a bush and jumps you youre far more likely to be able to defend yourself. and its probably far less likely that they WOULD jump you if you have the physique of someone big into martial arts (thats me presuming youre big & muscley i know you dont neccesarily have to be to do that stuff).

i think were better to be cautious than careless.

Professey Chin

I dont remember anytime I didnt feel safe really
No matter what city ive been in, ive always walked back to my house/where I was staying if at all possible(obviously distance is a factor in this).
Then again ive never had a reason to not feel safe. Only a couple people have ever tried to start on me and it was never something that made me feel at risk.
That being said though I am always aware of my surroundings and take precautions as necessary so I never really tune out

Khannie

sar84 wrote: »

I dont think we're necessarily living in fear, more being aware of possible danger and taking precaution. id prefer for someone to have a slight fear & be CAREFUL rather than the opposite, doing something like having no fear and taking stupid risks like walking in a dodgy area alone at night.

Couldn't agree more. Personal safety is mostly (IMO) about not getting yourself in a situation where your safety may be compromised (i.e. avoiding the unlit way home, etc.). You can be sure that I avoid the side of the quays with the junkies on it when I'm on my way home from training.

sar84 wrote: »

Youre a mod of Self Defence & martial arts so id guess youre pretty good at handling yourself and danger to your person, but not everyone is, particularly girls. if someone is hiding in a bush and jumps you youre far more likely to be able to defend yourself. and its probably far less likely that they WOULD jump you if you have the physique of someone big into martial arts (thats me presuming youre big & muscley i know you dont neccesarily have to be to do that stuff).

I'm not big or muscley. I weigh around 10st. I'm lean and fit and yes I can look after myself but I'm not invulnerable or anything like it. If anything I'm more likely to avoid physical confrontation than the average pisshead. Minidazzler's right though, I got a shock at his extending baton thing (badum-tish!).

sar84 wrote: »

i think were better to be cautious than careless.

Absolutely.

metaoblivia

I generally feel safe.
I live in the US, and despite the assumption that the US must be a very unsafe place to live because of our gun crime (and other crime), most places are really very safe. There's a sharp divide between the "good" neighborhoods and the "bad" neighborhoods. I think nothing of walking alone at night in Cambridge or downtown Boston or my own little suburban town. Now would I walk alone at night in Roxbury (a Boston neighborhood)? No, don't think I'd chance it. And of course, crime can happen in the "good" neighborhoods too - no place on earth is immune to crime - it's just not very common.

I feel safe at home. I live alone on the first floor. I keep my doors and windows locked, and aside from that, don't give it much thought.

The way I see it, take the normal safety precautions, be aware of your surroundings, but don't let the fear of what may happen get in the way of living your life.

Novella

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
I actually do. I live in inner city Dublin and have often wandered around Sheriff Street etc at night time. The worst thing that's ever happened was a guy, about 14 or 15, shouted at me, "Alri' luv, any chance of a shag?!! :rolleyes: I sometimes wander home from town after a night out as well. I'd never walk if I was sober but that's just because I'm lazy!! Again, nothing has ever happened that would put me off. I actually made friends with two guys one night who happen to live in the same apartment complex as me!

I understand why everyone is so paranoid though. It's probably a bad thing that I have a sort of 'fcuk it' attitude towards my safety.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
God, yes! I live on my own and I feel completely safe in my apartment. I never think that anyone is gonna break in or whatever. Tbh, my only worry is that it'll go on fire and I'll get trapped upstairs. That's just because I grew up in a bungalow though and when I was younger I heard a story about two kids who lived close to my grandparents who got trapped in the upstairs of a house and perished in a fire.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
I do nothing to avoid these situations and take no precautions. I guess I used to be more wary but I've been living and working in Dublin for a good while now (and not in the nicest of areas) and nothing has ever happened that has caused me reason to worry.

I hear all the stories, of course but I don't want to be one of those people who lives a life full of worry and what if's. I tend to look for the good in people and not presume that everyone or anyone is out to cause me any harm.

I'd hate to constantly be walking down the street and thinking that something awful might happen to me. I mean, I used to live in a place that had a really freaky underground carpark. Every time I was in it, I got chills down my spine and when I made it to my apartment, I literally used to breathe a sigh of relief! If I was constantly like that, I would actually be worried that there was something wrong with me. Living with that kind of paranoia can't be healthy, imo.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?
It honestly depends on the situation. I, more than likely, wouldn't hop out of my car in the middle of nowhere to help someone, especially at night. God, is that terrible? However, if a friend or something needed my help and by helping, I was putting myself in a compromising position, I would definitely still do it. I wouldn't be able to live with myself thinking I could have helped a friend or family or whatever but instead fcuked off to save my own ass.



The bottom line is, I don't go outta my way to stay safe but yet, I never feel threatened.

Snowie

minidazzler wrote: »

I live in a safe enough area, but I still sleep with an extendable Baton next to my bed and a few more dotted around the house.

Also have one or 2 very real looking toy guns, they are a diversion so I can get a to a proper weapon if needed.

I am prepared rather than Paranoid I think.

:rolleyes:


please say your joking ?

minidazzler

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

:rolleyes:


please say your joking ?

I'm not. I explained in a post after it the reasoning behind it. Next time I put a pic in KYL I'll show the Batons.

Earthhorse

pikachucheeks wrote: »

I can honestly say I never want to have to walk around town at night, on my own, again. It was dangerous and when I arrived at the party, I was in a bad mood because of it. Just felt so annoyed none of my friends had text me back about going to the party together, or helping me with directions!

Perhaps it wasn't a possibility this time around but whenever I'm going somewhere new like that I check it out on Google maps first.

On the whole intervening in a situation thing I think that's totally case dependent and no one can really know until they're in the situation.

LadyE

After reading this thread I feel like Im kinda living in a bubble. Ive always had the 'it will never happen to me' mentality.

I think Im far too trusting, walking through the backstreets of the city alone at about 3am in the morning a couple of years ago, I was approached by two or three fellas, insisting that they walk me all the way to the taxi rank because I shouldn't have been walking in that particular area on my own at the at hour of the night, I always thought what lovely fellas they were - but then what eejit am I, those nice fellas could have been one horrible guy and then where would I have ended up. Now that Im older and wiser Id like to think that I wouldnt put myself in the same situation. I would walk any of the streets in town on my own at night (if it had adequate street lighting), but would avoid lanes now. More often or not now, Id be in a taxi, because Im lazy

Id walk anywhere in my town, but then thats relativly safe.

I live mostly alone with my young son, and whilst Im not scared at night, I do want someone there, even if its for company. And if I am afraid, it would be more about ghosts than robbers etc . Id I was feeling particularly bad, Id grab my son in my bed for a cuddle and then Im ok.

As for putting myself in danger for a stranger. Not a hope. Im a mother and have to put that first, regardless if my son was with me Id think that if anything happened to me, injured or worse, then it would make his life harder so I just dont put myself in that situation.

Dudess

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?

In built-up areas yeah (obviously there are places to be avoided - Cork's generally fine though; ditto Dublin - it's pretty obvious when you're off the beaten track anyway in the case of both). I wouldn't do it in a deserted area though.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?

Oh yeah, no prob - second-floor apartment, built-up area. There can be a bit of trouble at night as there are loads of pubs around - fights on the street, cars getting smashed up unfortunately at times, but nobody seems to bother people in their homes.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?

Taxi.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?

Depends.

Lovelyjaws

I thought extendable batons were illegal.

shellyboo

Khannie wrote: »

Eh...well....everyone seems to be living in fear to be honest. I think that's crap. I'm not. Maybe I should be.

I don't think anyone who posted is living in fear, I think they're just aware of possible dangers.

I'm not surprised at people saying they keep weapons about the house - my ex used to keep a big stick thing by our bed, and while I kinda laughed at him about it, I realise now that I'd have been pretty damn grateful to have a large man brandishing a large stick to protect me were anything to happen.


Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?

100% depends on where I am. If I'm on "home turf", certain areas on the Southside that I know well, I wouldn't think twice about it. But in an unfamiliar area, I'd be more nervous and more aware. Things like wandering through town to the Nightlink at 3am doesn't bother me, because there's loads of people around. It's quiet, secluded areas that give me the heebie-jeebies.

That said, I always do the "text me when you get home" thing with my mates, and I would worry if they didn't.


Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
Yes, totally. Moreso now in Dublin than in Donegal, bizarrely - it used to be the opposite way around! I used to be freaked at home on my own in Dublin, but now I realise that I have neighbours who'd hear if something happened (I hope) and I'd be safer because there are more people around. In Donegal, it's just me and my doggy!

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?

Em, none really. I'm a lazy wagon anyway, I wouldn't be walking long distances at any time of the day or night. If I can get a taxi, I do... but therein lies another danger. Absolutely not disparaging taxi drivers, but you wouldn't know who you're getting into a car with. Imo, you're taking equal risk either way.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?

I'd like to say no, but I'm a bit of a softy really. I probably would go out of my way to help someone and then later think "oh dear, that was a bit risky".

Snowie

minidazzler wrote: »

I'm not. I explained in a post after it the reasoning behind it. Next time I put a pic in KYL I'll show the Batons.

Iregardless to some one who doesnt no its shoots plastic pellets its still seen as a wepon and breaking into some ones house is bad, but pointing a gun or what some one beleaves to be a gun is about 20 times worse.....
The law would more then likely see the theifs side... Over your's better of with something less threatining... Like a dog a big one with teath :pac: and a little sticker saying gaurd dog on the front window or by the front door

Last time some one picked a fight with me I offered him a cigerate and we had a grand old chat.... Then by some sort of magic he changed his mind and decided he didnt want to tfight me starnge that

Boston

Khannie wrote: »

Eh...well....everyone seems to be living in fear to be honest. I think that's crap. I'm not. Maybe I should be.

Also, initially I was somewhat surprised at the lack of peoples desire to intervene to help out a randomer, but it is possibly a gender specific thing - i.e. that a male will /generally/ be stronger and therefore /generally/ is less at risk when intervening in an unspecified situation. I know that's very general, and waffley, but you get the idea. I'd say I'd be likely to put myself at risk to help someone who I felt needed it (edit: depending on the situation of course). I have done so before and it's worked out well for me (and them!). Also, I'd like to think that someone would help people that I care about if they needed it. You know, in a "what goes around" kind of way.

I'm waffling.

The last thing on earth I would do is step in when some lad is beating the crap out of his girlfriend. No sooner do you step in then they forget they had a problem with each other and both of them turn on you. If he's beating her in public, its not the first time which means she "really loves him" and isn't going to take kindly to me breaking his jaw. If a someone is calling for help, especially a woman, then its a different story but I've heard too many stories about "heros" jumping into domestics and coming away cut up/beaten up and no thank yous.

Morgase

shellyboo wrote: »

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?

100% depends on where I am. If I'm on "home turf", certain areas on the Southside that I know well, I wouldn't think twice about it. But in an unfamiliar area, I'd be more nervous and more aware. Things like wandering through town to the Nightlink at 3am doesn't bother me, because there's loads of people around. It's quiet, secluded areas that give me the heebie-jeebies.

Same here. Funnily enough I would have felt safer walking at night in Dublin than walking at night in Wicklow. Probably due to the fact that Wicklow is so quiet and there's very few on the streets.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?

Yes, whether it was in Dublin houses / apartments, or now in my own house in the town or in a middle of nowhere country house. Once I lock that front door I feel very safe.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?

I'm not in Dublin anymore but walking around the streets at night then I would try to appear very confident and aware of my surroundings. I would also blank anyone who spoke to me at night, and just keep walking, even if there were people with me.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?

I wouldn't. I'm small and weak and very aware of that.

NothingMan

I don't think the situation is a whole lot different for guys. A lot of attacks or fears tend to be over running into groups of ner do wells at night. And just because i'm 6'1" and 15 stone I still would try and avoid any trouble.

I use to avoid a laneway that got me home quicker. A lot of young arse holes hung around there and I never was too liked by those types as I had long hair and liked rock music. How dare I. Anyway as I and that group got older they don't hang around there, and I just see the new kids as kids so not as intimidating. Even though I wouldn't fancy my chances against 2 or 3 of em.

I tend to walk anywhere in my area without fear. I actually danced home with my earphones in on Sunday morning at 6:30. I was pretty drunk tho.

I would probably try and help a person if they looked hurt or sick, but I wouldn't jump in on a fight between strangers. Unless I saw a guy hitting a girl then I don't think I could stop myself.

ash23

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?

I usually walk home from a night out but usually have friends with me. I would feel safe so long as I was on a main road. But then I live in a small town so oncoming cars on narrow roads would be more of a threat (in my mind) than attackers.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
Completely even though I live alone with my child.
It's a built up estate but a quiet one, I know my neighbours and I know they could hear me if I was screaming. I sometimes forget to lock my door when I go to bed and have often remembered while in bed and just thought "ah sure, whatever". Nothing has happened yet.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
None really.
I lock the door at night (most of the time). I don't walk home alone unless it's from somewhere very nearby (like a 5-10 min walk). I wouldn't listen to an ipod while walking alone. I got to know my neighbours which isn't to be underestimated. If I am walking home from a friends I always text them when I get home. if they don't hear from me they know there's a problem.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?

Depends on how dangerous the situation was. If one person was being beaten up by a load of people I wouldn't get into the thick of it. I'd call 999.
I'm more use to the person by calling 999 than I am going over shouting and getting my head kicked in too.
If I were in my car/house and saw it I would probably start shouting/beeping to draw attention to what was going on.

Herbal Deity

NothingMan wrote: »

I don't think the situation is a whole lot different for guys.

In fact, despite the perceptions, I think guys are actually statistically more likely to be attacked than girls. Can't remember where I saw that though.

Despite being generally easier targets, physically speaking, societal conditioning is such that there is more guilt associated with attacking a girl than a guy.

minidazzler

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

Iregardless to some one who doesnt no its shoots plastic pellets its still seen as a wepon and breaking into some ones house is bad, but pointing a gun or what some one beleaves to be a gun is about 20 times worse.....
The law would more then likely see the theifs side... Over your's better of with something less threatining... Like a dog a big one with teath :pac: and a little sticker saying gaurd dog on the front window or by the front door

Last time some one picked a fight with me I offered him a cigerate and we had a grand old chat.... Then by some sort of magic he changed his mind and decided he didnt want to tfight me starnge that

I'll worry about the legalities after the fact. The Safety of me and my family is a helluva lot higher on my list of priorities than the law striving to protect scumbags.

IvyTheTerrible

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
It depends on what time and where. If it was walking home from work at 7 on a winters evening, the answer is yes. But after a night out, no, not at all. I don't walk home alone. I walk with someone else or if i have to go home by myself I get a taxi. In the last place I lived in Ireland there was a rapist attacking girls on their way home from nights out (and AFAIK he's not yet been caught). He attacked a girl just across from the entrance to my estate. The 10 euro for the taxi home is nothing compared to that happening.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
Mostly yes. I know I am safe with the doors locked. But I do get a fright if I am home alone and I am woken by a strange noise. Of course I know it's not a burglar but it's always a bit disturbing in those first few seconds after waking up.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
I never walk home alone late at night. I always check my doors and windows are locked/secured at night when I am on my own.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?
Yes, if someone was getting beaten up or attacked I woudl try to help.

dearg lady

This is something I've been thinking a lot about lately, I've found myself more nervous and jumpy than I used to be, I think that feelin of invincibilty I had in my youth is disappearing

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
Again, it depends,walkin around the city I feel safe, there's so many other people around, but once I get to my estate and it's quiet, that's pretty scary!

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
I'm a bit of a wuss so I prfer not to stay on my own, it's very very rare that it happens, so on those occasions I have to just force myself to chill

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
Not much to avoid them, ya have to live your life ya know, and just really hope that nothing bad happens. When I get to my estate I generally walk quickly and have my housemates number up on my phone, ready to call. i wouldn't actually call someone on the walk, easier target if distracted. I don't like taking taxis, partly the expense, and partly that I'd feel equally as unsafe, ya just dunno who you're getting in the car with!


Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?
I don't think so, as one poster said, you're more help callin the gardai, than jumpin in and getting beatin up yourself. In sayin that, each situation is so different, it's impossible to say for sure.

SeekUp

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
Most times . . . although I've probably walked alone at night more than a few times when I "shouldn't have", due to the area.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?

Clare Bear wrote: »

I don't feel unsafe but I never sleep easy when I'm alone in a house.

Ditto.

My OH works nights, actually, and I never sleep soundly until he's gotten in. Before he was with me all the time though, I used to sleep with a fireplace poker next to my bed. Light enough to swing, heavy enough to hurt, and pointy at the end.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
I don't really avoid situations, other than taking a cab home when I shouldn't walk. I don't wear headphones when I'm walking alone at night though, unless it's in a well lit, well populated area. I like to be able to hear when someone's walking behind me. If it's pretty late and I'm feeling particularly creeped out, I've been known to walk in the street as opposed to the sidewalk. If a car comes, they can definitely see me and if I need to flag someone down for help, I can. Regarding being home alone, I keep my doors locked and I like to do a sweep if I hear strange noises; it takes two seconds to go upstairs and look in the closets, under the bed, on the back deck . . . and it gives me a sort of peace of mind.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?

Khannie wrote: »

Also, initially I was somewhat surprised at the lack of peoples desire to intervene to help out a randomer, but it is possibly a gender specific thing - i.e. that a male will /generally/ be stronger and therefore /generally/ is less at risk when intervening in an unspecified situation . . . Also, I'd like to think that someone would help people that I care about if they needed it. You know, in a "what goes around" kind of way.

I agree with ash23 here:

ash23 wrote: »

I'm more use to the person by calling 999 than I am going over shouting and getting my head kicked in too.
If I were in my car/house and saw it I would probably start shouting/beeping to draw attention to what was going on.

If I were to see something happening, I'd first make sure I was in a safe enough place and then I'd call the authorities. I don't think there's an excuse for not intervening on someone's behalf -- in fact, I think the world is full of too many people who think, "it's not my problem" -- but I think there's a smart way to do it. It's like when you're in an airplane and they tell you that if there's an emergency, you should first secure your oxygen mask before helping anyone else with theirs. Or something.

KiLLeR CoUCh

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
If I'm near home then yes, without a doubt. I'm a five minute walk max from where the Nitelink leaves me off and I've never had an issue. Most of the time if I pass anybody on the street I know them to see and visa-versa. If I had to walk through town or somesuch on my own I wouldn't be pleased about it but I wouldn't be frightened either.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
Absolutely. I lived on my own for quite some time in an area that wasn't great last year but my home is my home. There'd be a problem if I didn't feel safe there. I might be more wary if I has something worth stealing

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
Next to nothing. As I said I don't care if I'm home alone. In terms of getting home from a night out I'll just ask somebody to walk me to the Nitelink if there's nobody else going my way.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?
No, what good could I do? If I saw somebody being beated up I'd call the Guards. If I saw somebody who was clearly in distress or unwell then it depends on the scenario. I can think of one occasion I was in distress and could have really used some help from somebody but I got nothing. It made me a little sad that people feel like they can't do something for somebody else without fear of danger.

Clare Bear

The helping a stranger issue really depends on the situation I agree. For example if I saw a drunk girl stumbling along the street of course I'd help her and try to get her home safe (have done this twice actually, one girl we had to bring to a Garda station because we'd no idea how to get her home). If I saw an elderly person or someone that was injured on their own yes I'd go over and see if they were okay. But if I got a bad vibe about it or something didn't feel right I'd think twice. And if I see a group of lads beating up someone no I won't go over and tell them to stop, all too often situations like that get turned around on the person trying to help. I wouldn't keep going and forget about it though, I would definitely call the gardai. So it really does depend on the situation, it's not black and white.

Oh The Humanity

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
Not always.
Its something I would avoid doing generally but if I have to I will take no chances. I will always appraise the space I am in an be aware of every possible route of exit and escape. I don't turn my back on anyone. I don't carry loads of shopping etc -I would leave my arms free for fighting.
If someone starts walking behind me I will stop and let them past me so they are not behind me.
Anyone that looked at me funny would be met with an appraising stare so they can see I am not intimidated and I see their face so could recognise them in a Line Up. While I am doing this my feet are still moving.
I don't allow anyone to come nearer than arms length. I would not be afraid to be impolite to remain in control of the situation. I will walk on the outside of the pavement and avoid walking near lanes/parks/darkor deserted areas. I will often carry my keys in my hand with the longest strongest key coming out between my fingers ready to use just in case.
I dont stop to talk to anyone, no matter who they are.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
Yes. Ive lived alone before. If you are an adult woman you need to be able to survive alone, otherwise you are a dependant child.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
I drive everywhere. Don't go to dark, lonely places unneccessarily.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?
Unlikely. Even if I saw something like a girl on her own crying I would be wary it could be a trap, you go to ask her whats wrong next thing her scumbag boyfriend comes out of nowhere and mugs you. always look for the catch. Always know where your exit is, indoors or out. Don't always take things at face value. Be aware of what is going on around you.

SeekUp

Oh The Humanity wrote: »

I will often carry my keys in my hand with the longest strongest key coming out between my fingers ready to use just in case.

I do this too . . . not all the time, but when I'm walking through a dark parking lot to get to my car, or something similar.

CaptainSkidmark

I have to say that i am never "ok" with being home alone at night. I get paranoid if im honest, but id be more afraid of the dead rather than the living, when im half asleep i get very jumpy and lots of mad stuff go's through my head and i get freaked out so i dont think its just the females that get a bit uneasy about being home alone.

dearg lady

SeekUp wrote: »

I do this too . . . not all the time, but when I'm walking through a dark parking lot to get to my car, or something similar.

Tis also good when you have the car/house key out in your hand so it's ready to use in case you need to get in quickly. Ugh, makes me sound so paro but the little things cab help!

Mackleton

I'm not paranoid but I'm very aware of all the potential dangers and do my best to avoid those situations where possible. I never walk alone at night, anywhere, nutters are not limited to big cities or unknown places, you can meet them on a country lane just as easily.

Possibly doesn't help that I am always conscious of the worst case scenario and am very unbending when it comes to risks.

In terms of being alone in the house I don't really mind it, as long as I have the t.v or radio on as background noise so I can't hear any outside noises that's fine.

I am aware of the strength ratio all the time and am constantly telling myself that I should take some self-defense courses but never do.

Regarding helping someone in trouble, I would want to be very sure of the situation beforehand, ie. something I actually witnessed happening, I would have to have actually seen someone getting hit by a car before running over to them, you never know if it's some scumbag mugger faking injuries. Probably sounds harsh but hey, if it's between me or them, I'm looking out for number one first!

Crumble Froo

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
no. i live in a dodgy dodgy area, with lots of kids who want to be gangsters. i walk as quick as i can, skate even quicker. and the dodgy dogs roaming around are quite intimidating too. im probably more worried about them than the people.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?
yep, no problem once im home, though can freak myself out now and then with weird noises.

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?
wont listen to music when im out at night, keep my wits about me. all i can do.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?
probably not. would assess myself how much danger i reckoned i could be in if i did try to do something. i'd have no problem ringing the police, but every other fecker carries knives these days, i dont wana get too close.

Black Swan

sar84 wrote: »

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?

There are cities, or parts of cities, I will absolutely not risk walking alone in the dark. I believe in the buddy system to reduce risk, always accompanied by one or more friends, and a mobile phone that is fully charged and set to auto-dial an emergency number.

Although I live in a safe neighborhood, it's not street smart for a woman to walk alone in the dark. It's all about reducing risk and not playing the odds, so I minimize doing this. This doesn't mean you need live in fear, just better to exercise caution than increase the odds that you'll be victimized.

sar84 wrote: »

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?

Yes. Without going into details, where we live is extraordinarily safe by day and night.

sar84 wrote: »

What precautions do you take?

I was almost seriously victimized when little, so I've spent several years training in martial arts, now part-time instruct, and have the sandpaper soles of my feet to show for it.

sar84 wrote: »

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?

For a friend, yes, but not for a stranger. This is for Hollywood action heroines like Wonder Woman or Tomb Raider Laura Croft, both fictions. That's what the gardai are trained and skilled to do, so call them. Of course, you can always yell on someone's behalf, and oddly, screaming "Fire!" tends to bring more people than yelling "Help!"

G86

Do you feel safe walking alone in the dark?
Aye most of the time, not if it was completely dark but once there's some kind of light I'm grand.

Do you feel safe at home alone at night?

Normally yes, although a few months ago I was in the house on my own and I heard a bang downstairs, so I was mentally trying to figure out how I'd climb on to the lower roof to get out! But in the end I went down and checked and it was just something had fallen!

What do you do to avoid these situations? What precautions do you take?

I'm fine with walking around the city centre at night the only time I'd ever feel I need to be extra careful is walking home to phibsboro from parnell street at night if I'm at the cinema, so I make sure I'm not listening to music and have my wits about me.

Would you put yourself in possible danger for a stranger?

It depends on the situation, but if someone was in trouble then yes, I would, stupid as it sounds - because I'd like to think they'd do the same for me. I was waiting on a bus in Tallaght about 4 years ago and there was a guy in an electric wheelchair there too. This rough lookinh guy came over and sat beside me and started commented on my phone being a great phone etc, I told him it was **** and didn't work half the time. I knew he was dodgy but I tried to be normal and chatty so's not to aggravate him. But then he went over to the guy in the wheelchair and pretended to be looking at it before he took the guys wallet and took all the money out of it right in front of him and legged it. The old man was crying and shouting after him that it was his pension and all he had, I just saw red to be honest so I ran after him and got 2 guys on the way to help me, we lost him in the end though. I went back to the man then and got a bus driver to call the police to report it, there were a fair few people around then, but that really pissed me off - where were they when they guy was legging it with his money? Watching from the sidelines. Ach, I know it was probably a stupid thing to do, but I know I'd do it again.

So - are you aware of your safety & possible dangers around you? Are you over the top paranoid about it? do you go out of your way to stay safe?

I'm aware but I'm not at all paranoid to be honest. You could get killed driving down the motorway, or walking to work in the morning; you could trip over getting dressed in the morning and bang your head and pass out; you could go to sleep and never wake up, but the 'what if's' just aren't worth it - if you thought that way then you'd never really 'live'.