🚀 go-pugleaf

morrison@eng.auburn.edu (Kelly Morrison) writes:


>   I was in Atlanta yesterday and I MARTAed to the Five Points station
>to meet my brother at the Atlanta Hilton. Anyway, I had to walk about a 
>block to get there, and I got hassled pretty bad by some of the street 
>people wanting a handout (one guy actually followed me the whole block 
>yelling at me -- I almost ducked into one of the stores to get away from 
>him). I've been hassled before, but never this bad. Does anyone have any 
>tips on getting around downtown Atlanta in relative peace and safety?
>   I feel sorry for these people, but still.... geez!

RULE 1:
You can increase your likelyhood of surviving downtown Atlanta by
obtaining a pistol and a concealed carry permit. The next
step is to take the course offered by the NRA (available at most
gun stores that have a target range) which will instruct you on
how to use a gun, when to use a gun, and most importantly when
NOT to use a gun, to defend yourself.  It's too bad that things
have come to this, but WELCOME TO DOWNTOWN ATLANTA.

RULE 2:
Another important rule is: NEVER MAKE EYE CONTACT. Eye contact
will attract loonies like flies.

RULE 3:
Do not engage them in any kind of discussion.  It only encourages them
to keep annoying you.

RULE 4:
This is probably the most important rule for urban survival: DON'T
LOOK EASY.  Most panhandlers, street people or vagrants are not
violent, BUT the ones that are violent are looking for VICTIMS.
Victims are usually people that look frightened and unable to 
defend themselves. Don't look like you'd be easy to take.  Keep
an, "I don't take any s--t" look on your face. 

RULE 5:
Always be aware of what is going on around you. Be aware of who's ahead of
you, beside you and behind you.  If someone gets too close to you, be
prepared to move away from them.  Being forewarned is being forearmed.

RULE 6:
Stay in well lighted and populated areas. Don't take short-cuts through
allies or down unlighted streets. 

These are the rules that I live by. If everyone practiced them, you'd
see the mugging rate go way down.

-- 
He who would trade his liberty for  |  Karl Klingman
short-term security deserves        |  American Research Group, Inc.
neither...   Ben Franklin           |  karl@dixie.com