At the martial arts I go to, we're taught "punch them in the face, kick them in the nuts, and run"

Hehe, that only works if they haven't been trained in a martial art that copes with that. Kempo is the "art of self defense" and the first things we were taught was how to deal with and counter-attack punches in the face and kicks towards the groin. Basically, if you try to punch and kempo-trainee in the face you'll end up on the floor clutching your stomach probably.

Hehe, that only works if they haven't been trained in a martial art that copes with that. Kempo is the "art of self defense" and the first things we were taught was how to deal with and counter-attack punches in the face and kicks towards the groin. Basically, if you try to punch and kempo-trainee in the face you'll end up on the floor clutching your stomach probably. </font>[/QUOTE]We haven't been taught taht yet.... execpt ues your hands to cover any, um... painful areas...
I know what to do if someone trys to stab their fingers in your eye...

The one thing it boils down to is to trust your intuition. If you must go alone at night, and something feels at all 'wrong', don't hesitate to get a security guard to escort you to your car. That's what they're there for.

coming from a poor country that is rampant in kidnapping, holdup's and other criminal country, i want to warn you in case something bad "does" indeed happen. ;) . i had some friends of friends of mine happen this way :( </font>[/QUOTE]Excuse my ignorance but could you tell me about living in the Philippines, Harkoliar? How different is it crimewise? I mean, are you on guard everyhwhere or no? Any personal experiences?

This is all curiousity/awe really on my part. I talked to a guy who lived in Iraq, on yahoo one time. He told me the following: "You worry about getting mugged when you walk down a dark alley, I worry about getting murdered every time I go to a club or bar". That really brings it home. I think when you hear it on the media or from people who don't live there It's conditional to their experience so I'd like to get your own experiences.

not really, because the elevator moves between floors. once your trap in the stairwell you can be in trouble.. and there is usually camera's in the elevator ;) </font>[/QUOTE]You know, we have cameras in the stairwell as we... ;) [img]tongue.gif[/img] And it's not overly hard to stop an elevator between floors you know. ;) </font>[/QUOTE]It is easy to stop an elevator (just push/pull the e-stop) but that invariably sets off an alarm. Plus, the would be predator knows that the elevator can become a trap if security figures out what going on and overrides the controls.

Well, since I am living (currently) in Australia, I can see the difference from living from a 3rd world country and 1rst world country. Lemme see, some common examples? Just check my newspaper www.philstar.com . Everyday or once every two days, at least somebody winds up dead or killed because of something. Just like today (feb24) there were two murders pasted on the newspaper. MY chinese friends were living in fear because of the rampant kidnapping that was going on a few months back. I had my cellphone stolen from my bag when i left it for 5 min to go to the toilet. A friend of mine was caught selling drugs. a couple of my freinds friends were mugged going home at night on a Jeep (like a bus) that were full of people. my friends friends friends was raped (i just heard about it). a cousin of mine was killed because of drug-related incident. i perosnally witnessed on an attemped bag snatch (good thing the woman fought for it and the man lost in trying to get the bag from her.)

i get stuff all the time from the email bout to be careful and stuff and one just recently about the attepted kidnapping on the malls. a child was nearly kidnapped when she was missing for 5 min found in the toilet with her head shaven and cloths changed to make her look different in order to sneak her out of the mall.

and thats my own memories and experience. what more of others? I am always on my guard because thats the environment i grew up in. although im not as paranoid as others since I was brought up on a sheltered life.

plus there is usually people in the elevator so you are indeed relatively safer as compared to the stairwell where you are all alone.

I live in a very peaceful country, you can walk outside at night alone and you have almost 99% chance of getting home safely.
The murder rate here is maybe 3 murders a year and they are usually drug related. The drug "underground scene" here is pretty gruesome but it doesn't affect "normal" citizen much
Domestic violence is on the rise though, more and more women are reporting abuse at home, either it is getting higher or women are reporting it more.

just to let you know, im barely picked on. ;) which im glad for that. only my friends pick me but they are my friends. plus, compared to an average filipino, im taller than most, and can be a little intimidating when need to be. (plus knowing a little martial arts does help ones self-esteem and evaluate your predicament if there is one.) the best option for me still is : run away. ;) .

and i do agree about that. if there is a world complete without violence, then i guess it can get a little boring. violence is a way to solve something but not everything.