How to learn street smarts? Metro edition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids have been raised in the 'burbs, so despite the best efforts of my city-raised self, don't have basic street smarts. Is there a book or something that lays it all out? Or maybe you guys can make one. . One is about to start taking the Metro solo, and they are both old enough that they don't believe everything I say. They tend to think I'm just paranoid when I try to explain things like keep a hand on your belongings, be aware of your surroundings, etc.

Just drop them off in a sketchy neighborhood after dark and tell them to make their own way home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't use your phone on the train. Sit facing the door. If anyone gets on the train that makes you uncomfortable leave. Sit by a family. Move like a commuter. Stand right, walk left. Keep your bag the hell out of the way. Their biggest risk commuting alone is a pack of feral teens. Avoid packs of feral teens at all costs.

Golly Gosh, what could you possibly mean by "feral"?

[Anonymous]

if someone grabs something from them, the first thing you do it try to trip the person. I learned this from a cop friend after the grab and run things started to happen on metro.

A few months later on the train, I was by the door, a kid grabbed my bag I stuck my foot out and he was flat on his face before he got off the train.

It is your quickest reaction to stick a foot out. If you try to chase them they have several steps on you.

[Anonymous]

If you feel uncomfortable about someone don't be afraid to get off the train at the next stop and switch cars or wait for the next train. On the platform try to stand near a "mom" type person or a group rather than by yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if someone grabs something from them, the first thing you do it try to trip the person. I learned this from a cop friend after the grab and run things started to happen on metro.

A few months later on the train, I was by the door, a kid grabbed my bag I stuck my foot out and he was flat on his face before he got off the train.

It is your quickest reaction to stick a foot out. If you try to chase them they have several steps on you.

We're trying to keep the rich kids safe. Not get them beaten up.

Stuff is replaceable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't use your phone on the train. Sit facing the door. If anyone gets on the train that makes you uncomfortable leave. Sit by a family. Move like a commuter. Stand right, walk left. Keep your bag the hell out of the way. Their biggest risk commuting alone is a pack of feral teens. Avoid packs of feral teens at all costs.

Golly Gosh, what could you possibly mean by "feral"?

This song was written about the scary teens on the train from Queens to NY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6EQAOmJrbw

Interview where the lead singer talks about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkTz2Y-5fa4

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if someone grabs something from them, the first thing you do it try to trip the person. I learned this from a cop friend after the grab and run things started to happen on metro.

A few months later on the train, I was by the door, a kid grabbed my bag I stuck my foot out and he was flat on his face before he got off the train.

It is your quickest reaction to stick a foot out. If you try to chase them they have several steps on you.

We're trying to keep the rich kids safe. Not get them beaten up.

Stuff is replaceable.

Sure, just teach them then to let people take and do as they want. that always makes places safer.

[Anonymous]

You all are so worried about things being stolen and their personal space being violated. How about smoke/fire in the car? Terrorism? What if the system shuts down, a la 9-11?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch out for out of place riders from dc

Which are whom, and look like what? And is there a law that DC residents cannot ride to the suburbs?

Or is this "code" for African Americans?

Considering most people in dc are black, look out for thugish younger men or teens who look like this

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/victim-of-fatal-metro-stabbing-was-a-recent-american-u-grad-loved-dc/2015/07/05/e12dd2ea-2324-11e5-aae2-6c4f59b050aa_story.html

[Anonymous]

In Virginia you can conceal carry and blast those thugs to hell

[Anonymous]

I can mock-mug your kid like that episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm when Larry was trying to get on Cheryl's therapist's good side

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can mock-mug your kid like that episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm when Larry was trying to get on Cheryl's therapist's good side

"Ima break your teeth, your glasses, somethin. Not just run off like a lil bitch."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch out for out of place riders from dc

Which are whom, and look like what? And is there a law that DC residents cannot ride to the suburbs?

Or is this "code" for African Americans?

Considering most people in dc are black, look out for thugish younger men or teens who look like this

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/victim-of-fatal-metro-stabbing-was-a-recent-american-u-grad-loved-dc/2015/07/05/e12dd2ea-2324-11e5-aae2-6c4f59b050aa_story.html

Considering that many people in Virginia are redneck, racist assholes, look out for younger men or teens who look like this...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylann_Roof

[Anonymous]

Please teach them manners while you are at it. They should ALWAYS give up their seats for a disabled persons, pregnant women and the elderly. I have a visibly disabled daughter who says young people never give up their seats. She has balance issues and says the only ones she can count on to keep her from falling while standing in a crowded metro are construction workers.

[Anonymous]

OP, in all seriousness to your question, street smarts are important and not something that just have to happen the hard way. It's worth putting up with the protracted eyerolling your kids are giving you.

I recently took two kids who weren't related with differing degrees of street smarts somewhere, and I was surprised how sharp the contrast was and how some things I took for granted just didn't even register with one kid. E.g., leaving a wallet out on a counter somewhere with a bill sticking out while you do something else.

J. J. Bittenbinder used to host a show in the 90s called "tough target" that had some very decent advice.