How to learn street smarts? Metro edition.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

They need to go somewhere scary. Then they will get it.

[Anonymous]

If you have girls - heck, if you have boys, too -- prepare them for the possibility that in a crowded car someone might try to feel them up and do it in a secretive way that makes it difficult to complain out loud. Tell them that if anyone bothers them or touches them inappropriately that they should say loudly and assertively to stop touching them and leave them alone. That will get the attention of the other passengers who should do something - or will at least it will embarrass the perpetrator. These creeps count on the person they're harassing not saying anything.

I don't think this happens very often at all so don't lose sleep over it but I do recall my daughter telling me it had happened to her once. And I wish I had talked with her about how to handle this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have girls - heck, if you have boys, too -- prepare them for the possibility that in a crowded car someone might try to feel them up and do it in a secretive way that makes it difficult to complain out loud. Tell them that if anyone bothers them or touches them inappropriately that they should say loudly and assertively to stop touching them and leave them alone. That will get the attention of the other passengers who should do something - or will at least it will embarrass the perpetrator. These creeps count on the person they're harassing not saying anything.

I don't think this happens very often at all so don't lose sleep over it but I do recall my daughter telling me it had happened to her once. And I wish I had talked with her about how to handle this.

PS - this is also advice which is useful in the burbs. Predators are in the burbs, too.

[Anonymous]

They need to go somewhere somewhat gritty with someone they'll listen to. Aunt, uncle, cousin?

[Anonymous]

It's good to get a seat by the emergency handle.

[Anonymous]

Trust your instincts. Block off access to wallets or purses. Eyes subtly scanning every now and then, front, sides, and occasionally back. Do. Not. Stand too close on the Metro platform. If someone is really out of it or could pose a potential threat, get off the train at the next stop to switch cars or wait for another one. Think in advance of what you would use as a makeshift self defense device--keys, laptops, etc.

[Anonymous]

Good advice, all - please keep it coming!

-OP

[Anonymous]

well first, ride the metro with them a few times during the time they will be riding. Then let them ride a few times by themselves the route they need to take to get comfortable with how things in general work on the metro. My kid was freaked out by the fact that no one speaks on the train in the morning.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

They need to spend a day with Madea. Tyler perry knows how to lay it down

[Anonymous]

I was raised in NYC and am raising my kid in the city. I always tell her "You HAVE to be careful, because not everyone else is." But does she always look before crossing? No. And what happened Monday? She was crossing the street ten feet in front of her friend, and a taxi raced through a red light and ran over her friend's foot. Maybe now she'll listen.

I do not recommend running over your kid's foot. But point out the person standing by the door on their phone, and how easy it'd be for you to steal it and walk off the train right as the doors close. Point out when you're walking down the street and a car is idling and a skeevy looking driver is in the car. Point out adults hanging around playgrounds who are not attached to kids playing there. Talk about what to do if your kid misses their stop - this happens a lot. Teach them how to get off and go backwards.

[Anonymous]

It's good to be aware of your surroundings and keep a hand on your belongings everywhere you go. That means reminding your kids of these two things whether they are on Metro or at the pool or at the mall. That they don't walk around with their ears glued to their phones while crossing the street. That they don't take a huge wad of one dollar bills out of their pockets -- kids tend to stuff money into their pockets. That they look where they are going.

[Anonymous]

Watch out for out of place riders from dc

[Anonymous]

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?