this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2025
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[–] nutbutter@discuss.tchncs.de 70 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Always look at both sides before you start crossing the road.

[–] zxqwas@lemmy.world 35 points 3 days ago (2 children)

This applies to one way roads too.

[–] TheWeirdestCunt@lemmy.today 36 points 3 days ago

Especially 1 way roads, if someone's not paying enough attention to see a no entry sign they aren't paying enough attention to see you

[–] lando55@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] zxqwas@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

No, the advice there is to not cross them at all unless on a different elevation.

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[–] kambusha@sh.itjust.works 11 points 3 days ago

Street smart

[–] ViscloReader@lemmy.world 60 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Walk with a purpose.

Keep eye contact to a minimum.

Use mirror, reflections and shadows to tell movement without looking directly at it.

Don't use headphones, you need your senses.

Don't listen to strangers.

Trust your gut.

If you want people to move out of your way when walking, look over their heads or behind them. That unconsciously signals other walkers to move.

[–] Bgugi@lemmy.world 41 points 3 days ago (1 children)

In the United States, the most common street name is second Street. That's because some municipalities have first Street and some municipalities have main Street.

[–] Akasazh@feddit.nl 8 points 3 days ago

That's a fun fact, ty

[–] adhd_traco@piefed.social 24 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (12 children)

Stray dogs:
If you pass somewhere and there are suddenly stray dogs in your way, just squat down and show your hands. Hands down, palms up. If they come to sniff and shit, keep your palms below their face. Basically let them come to you. When they trust you, you can pat the top of the head. But patting the top of the head before they know you can be dangerous, as you might use them to hit them, for example.

Usually within seconds the whole pack comes to get some love :)

I've never been attacked by a dog this way. But if a dog would come at me, actually aggressive and not slow down, I hear you should use your feet to defend yourself.

Don't just walk through their territory.

[–] Hossenfeffer@feddit.uk 11 points 2 days ago (2 children)

If you do have to defend yourself, indiscriminate use of a grenade launcher sends a powerful message.

[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] lagoon8622@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I always liked "To whom it will shortly concern"

[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 days ago

Not unlike upcasting fireball 😜

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[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 days ago

Interacting with unknown, much less untrained canines is a quick way to test the local health system.

FWIW, looking unfamiliar animals in the eyes is an even more sure way to imply to them that you're a predator. 😵‍💫

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[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 20 points 3 days ago (22 children)
[–] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 21 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

Depending on where you are and what you look like, don't do it in front of cops, though.

[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 6 points 3 days ago
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[–] miked@piefed.social 6 points 2 days ago

Negative. I was visiting Burbank CA from NYC. About 8 am on a nearly empty street. Going to get coffee I got a jaywalking ticket. I was shocked .

As long as no kids are around to watch you so they dont think they can just run out in the street whenever

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[–] Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.org 17 points 3 days ago

If someone is about to get in your path just look at where you're trying to walk instead of looking at them. They'll move instinctively.

[–] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Look both ways before crossing...? Not sure what you mean

Edit: If you see something, no the fuck you didn't; snitches get stitches and wind up in ditches having shat their britches, or something like that.

[–] Triumph@fedia.io 15 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Never go to a secondary location.

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[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 15 points 3 days ago (3 children)

If someone asks you where you're from say "nowhere"

[–] Pappabosley@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

I normally say I'm from Pain-Town and offer to give them a tour if they keep being nosey

[–] MintyFresh@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

"brass city" as you spit near their shoes is good too!

[–] lando55@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

"Don't worry about it."

This actually works for a lot of questions.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

“Don’t worry about it.”

That is a very different response to that question and one that could very well escalate the situation.

The correct answer is: "nowhere"

[–] Apytele@sh.itjust.works 14 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Don't look tough, look crazy. People don't bother me in the street. It's because I dress like a hobo and mutter / silently move my lips talking to myself while walking down the sidewalk. If they do manage to get me to make eye contact, it's intense enough they wish they hadn't. A wallet and groping my ass aren't worth losing an eyeball or testicle to what looks like a tweaker.

[–] x4740N@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

If you did that in my town you'd be on the local crime watch group and be called a drug addict and have your local image tarnished

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[–] Harkronis@kbin.melroy.org 11 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Don't get into fights of any kind. Nobody comes out the winner, just losers.

Honor, Street Cred, Respect, whatever. None of that is worth injuries and the bills from the hospital or getting involved with the police over.

[–] DrunkDragon@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago (2 children)

If someone asks you a question your answer is always “no.”

“Do you know the time?” “No”

“Do you want a free bottle of designer perfume?” “No”

“Can I ask you a question?” “No”

“Do you want to help starving children?” “No”

“My name is James, what’s your name?” “No”

There’s no upside to interacting with people on the street. Don’t be polite because they’ll use it against you.

[–] Goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 2 days ago

"Do you have drugs?" "No" "Okay you are innocent." "No" "Want money?" "No" It always works and agree with them

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[–] sefra1@lemmy.zip 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Always look both sides before crossing the road, if you wear headphones take one phone off before crossing too.

Crossing red lights is fine, but make sure you have time to safely get to the other side before a car comes, if your tired just play it safe and wait for the light to change.

When it's raining try to stay away from poodles on the road, or drivers will just splash you with water.

Be aware of dog poo on the floor.

And bikes and electric scooters on the sidewalks, almost got ran over them several times, they are supposed to use the road.

[–] LORDSMEGMA@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 day ago

I hate getting splashed with a poodle. Takes forever to get the blood and fur out of my hair

[–] sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Don't put a climbing rope on asphalt the oils will mess it up.

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[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 8 points 3 days ago

Don't stop or talk when people are trying to talk to you in a public place, especially if you're in a foreign country.

[–] whotookkarl@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Wink often to let people know you're not hungry, appear confident during your constitutional to convey a sense of community, and only fart with the wind never against it.

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[–] postmateDumbass@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)
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[–] AceFuzzLord@lemmy.zip 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

If you're out walking late at night, having bigger dogs help. Ain't nobody gonna come up to me looking for trouble if they see me walking a couple big pit mixes.

[–] runsmooth@kopitalk.net 4 points 2 days ago

Late hours, on long stretches of road and away from intersections, walk down the centre of a street.

You have better line of sight, fewer blind corners, and you should be picked up by cameras. As long as you’re not intoxicated, you can also tell when someone or something approaches better.

Also a good pocket light with focus options. You can light the way with it, or blind anything temporarily. If built well, it can reinforce your fist, and you can hammer strike.

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