What do I do in this situation? What would you do?

[Vicken]

Ok, I am having a problem with the area I work in. I work in a downtown district and get off at 8 PM at night. Almost all the business around this area are closed at 5PM or eariler. There are no free parking spaces in downtown except on weekends. My car is parked 3 blocks away from the building as this is the cheapest place I can find and that's not full. The problem I am having with is with strangers. Yes, strangers. See every few months, I get confronted with a stranger asking for money. I don't know if they are either beggars or just plain poor folks. I would say most of them look cleanly shaven and with clean clothes. Always a different person, because I remember their faces. They may even be con artists. Some of them are slightly rude, and some of them ask nicely. They will walk up to you and give you a story. 9 times out of time, the story is that their car either broke down or they ran out of gas, or they just need money for the bus stop and they ask for a couple dollars. The most money I carry on me is $10.00 and usually all one's for parking. Often I just say NO and walk on, but sometimes I give in and hand a couple dollars. I really know I shouldn't give in, but I'm really afraid for my life. I am afraid one of them will either pull a gun and knife at me if I flat out say NO. There is no other people outside when I walk to my car and I am by no means a big guy. So far none of them has threatened me, (Thank god) The area isn't bad, but it is not good either. Sometimes, I wish I had a concealed weapon just to be safe, but there's no way I could bring any kind of weapon to work. And we all know weapons can be turned against you. The nearest parking lot costs $6.00 a day and it is still 1 block away so there is still a chance of getting confronted. The parking lot I pay for is $3.00 a day. The company I work for gives $60.00 a month for parking. The reason I am saying this is because I know its going to happen again sometime in the future. What do I do? What would you do?

 

[kranky]

Walk briskly, head up, don't make eye contact. If you are approached, don't even break stride, keep on walking. You can always look ahead and if someone is approaching you, cross the street long before they reach you.

I honestly think you would be in more danger once you stop and give someone a couple bucks.

 

[Spoooon]

Man, that sucks. I don't really know what I would do. Maybe you could carpool with some buddies from work? That way, you take turns using up gas, and being in a group should be safer. Parking would end up being cheaper too.

 

[nateholtrop]

When they ask just say no hablo anglais and walk on my man!!!

Serious it works.

Nate

 

[IBhacknU]

You could always take up jogging, and jog to your car!

 

[Total Refected Power]

Kranky is right.

You could tell your company to supply a shuttle bus from your building to the lot. That is what most companies do in my area in order to safeguard their employees.

 

[squirrel dog]

yeah,sounds like you are being prayed on.I would start taking a self defense class,and all the other advice is good.I would make other arrangements.

 

[xtreme2k]

i think it is good to carpool

 

[Fathom4]

"I think Red is right fake an argument."

"oh, and what the hell does he know?!"

"More than you dipsh!t!"

"Oh bite me."

"Kiss my....."


See works great.






















does not.

does too.

oh forget it.

 

[Soybomb]

Like kranky said you're probably putting yourself in more danger by stopping than keeping going. If you stop and start to give them money its nothing for them to pull a weapon and say "all of it." And you better hope your $10 in ones is enough to please them. Keep walking dude. Consider buying mace or a tazer if its legal in your state if it would make you feel better. Remember they can be used against you too though.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Next time you see one approach you, tell him you just got fired and need bus money to get home before he has a chance to say anything.

 

[pac1085]

Get a black plastic squirt gun and pull it up on em