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Krav Maga. First thing it teaches you is to stay away from areas where something like this is possible. The next thing they teach you is to run away. If you thi

Krav Maga. First thing it teaches you is to stay away from areas where something like this is possible. The next thing they teach you is to run away. If you think you'll look like a coward, compare that feeling to having a knife in your arm. If none of that works out for you, they teach you how to defend yourself. Brutally. Even how to extricate your wrist or arm from a grab. Physical size and strength (yours and your assailants) doesn't matter. Just a couple of lessons should equip you well enough to avoid what happened here. Give the lessons some time and you should have enough to deal with multiple assailants, knife, stick and gun threats. I see this as a basic life skill, right up there with at least enough knowledge to differentiate a Monet from a Van Gogh, or a Beethoven from a Rachmaninoff.

rb2k_ 12y ago
Kind of a stretch to call that a "basic life skill". In my last 30 years, I never had to fight anyone or differentiate a Monet from a Van Gough or a Beethoven from a Rachmaninoff. Then again, I don't life in crime heavy neighbourhoods or go to dinner parties that fancy. Maybe that's something for the next 30.
- lotsofmangos 12y ago
  You should get out more, I've needed those skills in one evening. edit - Defending yourself is a basic life skill. Not ever getting into a fight means you are already fairly good at it.
  - jessaustin 12y ago
    Let me guess: when you drink beer, you prefer Dos Equis.
    - lotsofmangos 12y ago
      Wasn't familiar with the advert till I just looked it up. But no, I have to say, that if I am feeling pretentious, I would have to claim to be more Churchillian in my tastes. What really sets you up for breakfast is some Carlsberg Special Brew, washed down with a nice glass of Buckfast Tonic Wine.
      - collyw 12y ago
        Buckfast Tonic Wine. Are you a Weegie? Yeah, getting intimidated by neds was part of my growing up. You learn how to show them enough respect not to annoy them, without looking wimpish enough for you to be an easy target. Some people must have proper sheltered lives.
        sehr 12y ago
        Some people must have proper sheltered lives. It is a software dominated forum. This is just an anecdote, but I'd guess >80% of the developers I have met are from comfortably middle - upper middle class families/areas.
        lotsofmangos 12y ago
        So they don't like the bucky?
        collyw 12y ago
        You can see by the replies that they think this sort of thing is unacceptable. It is in a way, but it doesn't stop it being the norm for many, many people growing up. And that's in a developed country. Some kids are growing up in war zones.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
- Spearchucker 12y ago
  I understand that not everyone lives the same kind of life, so have a look at this - it's full of seemingly inane or useless skills some consider basic life skills: http://www.amazon.com/The-Modern-Gentleman-2nd-Edition/dp/1607740060 http://www.amazon.com/The-Modern-Gentleman-2nd-Edition/dp/16... I'm interested in these things because I can't predict the future, but like to prepare for it. Also because knowing how to mix a drink or who composed Peter and the Wolf makes for interesting conversation with people I naturally feel comfortable around. Each to their own I guess.
  - judk 12y ago
    Basic life skills for the upper crust, coasting through life on privilege and shibboleth. Statistically speaking, not interesting or relevant to almost anyone, and a net drag on society in general.
    - Spearchucker 12y ago
      Upper crust?!? Dude you have no idea. But thanks, I'll take this as a compliment.
- rgrieselhuber 12y ago
  His name is spearchucker, so it may not be a stretch to call that a basic life skill in his neighborhood.
  - Spearchucker 12y ago
    I'm aware of the connotation. I chose the name based on my favourite character in MASH. HN offers no way of changing my name. Another basic life skill is asking rather than assuming.
    - rgrieselhuber 12y ago
      It was just a joke, spearchucker.
    - guard-of-terra 12y ago
      Why would you want to change it?
      - Spearchucker 12y ago
        Some view it as a racial slur.
        BugBrother 12y ago
        What... against whom? OK, I don't expect rationality from racists or anti racists (but then, in Sweden "anti racist" seems to be a code word for antisemite. No, sadly not joking.) But... I can't off the top of my head name a culture that has never used spears and javelins. Edit: First, spears is an universal farmer's weapon most everywhere. Second, thanks guard-of-terra: It is a shame -- considering all the English I have consumed for decades (both professionally and in literature etc) -- that I don't even seem to know the basic racist insults. :-)
        guard-of-terra 12y ago
        Well, indo-europeans are known as civilization of peasants, I can see how we may exclude ourselves from spear chuckers. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=spear+chucker http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=spear+chucker
michaelochurch 12y ago
I see this as a basic life skill While self-defense is a useful skill, there isn't a good way to practice actual street fighting except to actually do it. (Martial arts sparring is not the same thing.) And, in street fights, even if you're skilled, you can die. So it's best to avoid the context in which those skills are gained. The only sane option is to avoid street fights whenever possible. Give the lessons some time and you should have enough to deal with multiple assailants, knife, stick and gun threats. No martial art makes it safe to deal with a guy with a weapon. Even an idiot with a knife or a brick can get lucky. You're best off just not to carry a lot of money in unfamiliar places. If you're in a risky place, put a small amount of money in a decoy wallet (losing the cash isn't a big deal compared to losing ID, credit cards, passport) and, if you have them, some expired cards. Most robbers are junkies who don't care about the cards anyway, because you can't buy drugs with a card. Flash the bills (at least a couple of $20s preferably), chuck the wallet, and get the fuck out. Likewise, with four assailants, no martial art is going to give you the upper hand. 4-on-1 is just a bad place to be. In the movies, putting serious hurt on one of them intimidates the other three and allows you to fight them (or chase them off) serially, Oldboy style. In real life, it doesn't usually work that way. They might run away, or they might get even more pissed off after you fuck up their friend. You're betting on 3 people all choosing "run away". Not great odds. You're somewhat better off with the martial arts knowledge than without, and it probably gives you the upper hand in 1-on-1 when there is no weapon (even against a physically stronger opponent) but the thing about street fights is that you're making decisions in split seconds and you never know when a weapon will come out or friends will be called in. Again, even an idiot can get lucky and knock you out or kill you. With 4 people, it's even more likely that they'll continue to fuck you up after you're down.
- dm2 12y ago
  I've never even considered a decoy wallet, that's a good idea. I often think about how much of a hassle it would be to cancel all credit cards, get new IDs, and replace everything in my wallet.
  - jotm 12y ago
    Decoy wallet or a few bills in a separate pocket "guys, here's $20, it's all I have on me". Unless they're drunk or crazy, they'll take it. But they'll also want your phone these days.
romanovcode 12y ago
If you're learning martial arts for self-defense in 21'st century you're wasting your time. Your karate skills won't help vs someone with a led pipe, crowbar or a knife. Just get a gun and get it over with.
- JoeAltmaier 12y ago
  Maybe exaggerating? Martial arts vs lead pipe can be very effective. Likewise crowbar. Knife - everybody gets hurt but you can still 'win'.
  - Spearchucker 12y ago
    Crow bar is a long range weapon, so get in close. Knife is probably the most difficult to defend against - certainly more so than a gun. I did this exercise once, where my training partner held a paintball gun a couple inches from my chest. My job was to disarm him without getting shot. His job was to shoot as soon as he saw me move. It took five attempts before I got it. And getting hit at that range is a great incentive - all we had on was a facemask and overalls over shorts and a t-shirt.

rb2k_ 12y ago

Kind of a stretch to call that a "basic life skill". In my last 30 years, I never had to fight anyone or differentiate a Monet from a Van Gough or a Beethoven from a Rachmaninoff. Then again, I don't life in crime heavy neighbourhoods or go to dinner parties that fancy. Maybe that's something for the next 30.

lotsofmangos 12y ago
You should get out more, I've needed those skills in one evening. edit - Defending yourself is a basic life skill. Not ever getting into a fight means you are already fairly good at it.
- jessaustin 12y ago
  Let me guess: when you drink beer, you prefer Dos Equis.
  - lotsofmangos 12y ago
    Wasn't familiar with the advert till I just looked it up. But no, I have to say, that if I am feeling pretentious, I would have to claim to be more Churchillian in my tastes. What really sets you up for breakfast is some Carlsberg Special Brew, washed down with a nice glass of Buckfast Tonic Wine.
    - collyw 12y ago
      Buckfast Tonic Wine. Are you a Weegie? Yeah, getting intimidated by neds was part of my growing up. You learn how to show them enough respect not to annoy them, without looking wimpish enough for you to be an easy target. Some people must have proper sheltered lives.
      - sehr 12y ago
        Some people must have proper sheltered lives. It is a software dominated forum. This is just an anecdote, but I'd guess >80% of the developers I have met are from comfortably middle - upper middle class families/areas.
        lotsofmangos 12y ago
        So they don't like the bucky?
        collyw 12y ago
        You can see by the replies that they think this sort of thing is unacceptable. It is in a way, but it doesn't stop it being the norm for many, many people growing up. And that's in a developed country. Some kids are growing up in war zones.
deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
Spearchucker 12y ago
I understand that not everyone lives the same kind of life, so have a look at this - it's full of seemingly inane or useless skills some consider basic life skills: http://www.amazon.com/The-Modern-Gentleman-2nd-Edition/dp/1607740060 http://www.amazon.com/The-Modern-Gentleman-2nd-Edition/dp/16... I'm interested in these things because I can't predict the future, but like to prepare for it. Also because knowing how to mix a drink or who composed Peter and the Wolf makes for interesting conversation with people I naturally feel comfortable around. Each to their own I guess.
- judk 12y ago
  Basic life skills for the upper crust, coasting through life on privilege and shibboleth. Statistically speaking, not interesting or relevant to almost anyone, and a net drag on society in general.
  - Spearchucker 12y ago
    Upper crust?!? Dude you have no idea. But thanks, I'll take this as a compliment.
rgrieselhuber 12y ago
His name is spearchucker, so it may not be a stretch to call that a basic life skill in his neighborhood.
- Spearchucker 12y ago
  I'm aware of the connotation. I chose the name based on my favourite character in MASH. HN offers no way of changing my name. Another basic life skill is asking rather than assuming.
  - rgrieselhuber 12y ago
    It was just a joke, spearchucker.
  - guard-of-terra 12y ago
    Why would you want to change it?
    - Spearchucker 12y ago
      Some view it as a racial slur.
      - BugBrother 12y ago
        What... against whom? OK, I don't expect rationality from racists or anti racists (but then, in Sweden "anti racist" seems to be a code word for antisemite. No, sadly not joking.) But... I can't off the top of my head name a culture that has never used spears and javelins. Edit: First, spears is an universal farmer's weapon most everywhere. Second, thanks guard-of-terra: It is a shame -- considering all the English I have consumed for decades (both professionally and in literature etc) -- that I don't even seem to know the basic racist insults. :-)
        guard-of-terra 12y ago
        Well, indo-europeans are known as civilization of peasants, I can see how we may exclude ourselves from spear chuckers. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=spear+chucker http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=spear+chucker

michaelochurch 12y ago

I see this as a basic life skill While self-defense is a useful skill, there isn't a good way to practice actual street fighting except to actually do it. (Martial arts sparring is not the same thing.) And, in street fights, even if you're skilled, you can die. So it's best to avoid the context in which those skills are gained. The only sane option is to avoid street fights whenever possible. Give the lessons some time and you should have enough to deal with multiple assailants, knife, stick and gun threats. No martial art makes it safe to deal with a guy with a weapon. Even an idiot with a knife or a brick can get lucky. You're best off just not to carry a lot of money in unfamiliar places. If you're in a risky place, put a small amount of money in a decoy wallet (losing the cash isn't a big deal compared to losing ID, credit cards, passport) and, if you have them, some expired cards. Most robbers are junkies who don't care about the cards anyway, because you can't buy drugs with a card. Flash the bills (at least a couple of $20s preferably), chuck the wallet, and get the fuck out. Likewise, with four assailants, no martial art is going to give you the upper hand. 4-on-1 is just a bad place to be. In the movies, putting serious hurt on one of them intimidates the other three and allows you to fight them (or chase them off) serially, Oldboy style. In real life, it doesn't usually work that way. They might run away, or they might get even more pissed off after you fuck up their friend. You're betting on 3 people all choosing "run away". Not great odds. You're somewhat better off with the martial arts knowledge than without, and it probably gives you the upper hand in 1-on-1 when there is no weapon (even against a physically stronger opponent) but the thing about street fights is that you're making decisions in split seconds and you never know when a weapon will come out or friends will be called in. Again, even an idiot can get lucky and knock you out or kill you. With 4 people, it's even more likely that they'll continue to fuck you up after you're down.

dm2 12y ago
I've never even considered a decoy wallet, that's a good idea. I often think about how much of a hassle it would be to cancel all credit cards, get new IDs, and replace everything in my wallet.
- jotm 12y ago
  Decoy wallet or a few bills in a separate pocket "guys, here's $20, it's all I have on me". Unless they're drunk or crazy, they'll take it. But they'll also want your phone these days.

romanovcode 12y ago

If you're learning martial arts for self-defense in 21'st century you're wasting your time. Your karate skills won't help vs someone with a led pipe, crowbar or a knife. Just get a gun and get it over with.

JoeAltmaier 12y ago
Maybe exaggerating? Martial arts vs lead pipe can be very effective. Likewise crowbar. Knife - everybody gets hurt but you can still 'win'.
- Spearchucker 12y ago
  Crow bar is a long range weapon, so get in close. Knife is probably the most difficult to defend against - certainly more so than a gun. I did this exercise once, where my training partner held a paintball gun a couple inches from my chest. My job was to disarm him without getting shot. His job was to shoot as soon as he saw me move. It took five attempts before I got it. And getting hit at that range is a great incentive - all we had on was a facemask and overalls over shorts and a t-shirt.