Every person needs to do this same thing. I started doing this since I worked with the State’s Correctional Institution way back in the 80s.
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All you have to do is watch…I have lost count on how many people put themselves at risk of becoming a very “easy” victim.
I have approach two friends (unarmed of course) when I see them on their phones while placing their bought items in their vehicle. They are laughing & talking & not looking around to see what else is happening around them.
I took a chance & used myself as an example to try to show them how easily they could have become a victim of their environment. They have thanked me and told me they would be more aware. But just the other day, I witnessed their very same actions.
So, evidently what I tried to express to them didn’t phase them.
I am “not” going to do this again, since it failed with them. It probably is “not” a good idea to do with a complete stranger. Would like feed back from others whether it’s good or bad.
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Answering the original question…women shopping at the grocery store. They put their purse in the seat of the cart then step away often turning their backs to the cart.
I have also lost count of the small kids I have seen in aisles at the store with parents no where to be found.
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I would only do it in a non threatening manner and only with someone I know very well. I would be very cautious doing it to a woman though. While your intentions are good, you may frighten one to the point they start telling friends you creep them out. That is why I said only with people I know very well.
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Thanks…Advice well taken
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Such an obvious question yet, often not discussed. I presume the majority of those responding grew up in a period when this topic would not come up. Unfortunately, we are no longer in those times. I have the most difficulty with this with my wife, she tends to live in a Normal Rockwell painting or Rainbows and Unicorns, I love her dearly, however, she is of the belief that ‘it just won’t happen to her’, for once I hope she is right.
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I like the ones that jump out of their vehicle at the pump an walk n to pay b4 or after pumping fuel while the vehicle is sitting there unattended an idling, unlock an im thinking we dont live in mayberry anymore, an hope nothing ever goes wrong for them.
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I ran into an interesting situation over the holiday weekend. My wife and I took our kids to an indoor waterpark resort Friday-Sunday over the holiday weekend. On Saturday night, I had to make a run into the deep, dark, scary parking lot to retrieve something from our vehicle. On my way back to the building, it must have been changing of the lifeguards cause 5 of the lifeguards passed me going the other way out into the parking lot. What is noteworthy is that all 5, which were female, last years of high school/college age girls/women, were absolutely buried in their phones, so much so that I had to alter my path lest I bump into 2 of them.
So, young adult women walking into a pitch black parking lot unescorted and completely oblivious to their surroundings. But this is how many people, especially those who do not carry, live their lives.
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I have just started pumping gas as a lefty right after reading your post 
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This last summer my wife and I sat on our front porch a whole lot more than we have in the past. We live in an older, well maintained part of our city. It is amazing what you will see and hear when you sit talking quietly and just listen and pay attention. You also learn a lot more about your neighbors too.
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Walking into service station with car unlocked. Prime time for a snatch and grab thief.
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This is standard operating procedure for way too many people. When I had young children with me I had them lock the car doors while I was pumping gas or going into the store to get us a drink. Now I’m usually alone I do the same.
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Welcome to the group.
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I spend time in casinos playing Blackjack. Pretty good at it. I am always on alert while entering and leaving. Someone who is watching me will know that I can carry cash out to the car. Someone might also hang around the parking lot looking for a likely target. So I need to be on alert at these times, especially if the casino has no security in the parking lot. It doesn’t help that I am in my sixties and walk with a cane.
I always scan the parking lot before walking out from the doorway area. I like it when I see no people in the area where I left my car. I also look for anyone besides me hanging around the door area and will return inside if someone dubious is seen in the area.
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Definitely Not on phone. I don’t answer either while driving. Thanks good advice
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Nice mental note…
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That’s interesting…never knew that could happen.
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I’m a bit late to this conversation but thought I’d add my 2¢ concerning the option of firing a handgun while pumping gas.
Don’t do it.
Besides, the nozzle in your hand is a faster acting deterrent than the one in your pocket and they’ll squirt 15-20 feet, easy. Then casually take out your Zippo.
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I guess you are thankful for people who are glued to their smartphones look like easier victims than people who look alert. Sigh, true.
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Doing my job I spend a lot of time on the high way. I’d love to set up some go pro’s in my vehicle while I’m cruizing down the road. Then make a web site download them to “You stupid *&^%$%&” People doing 85 MPH need not be on the phone texting. Coming out of a store, WHY is your nose in a phone or reading your receipt? My worry is some mildly unhinged person is going to have someone in their family killed by a “distracted driver” and they are going to go hunting for anyone on a phone while driving. Can you imagine what an out of control car on an interstate at full speed would do?
Cheers,
Craig6
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