this post was submitted on 16 May 2025
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Like usually every minute I'd quickly look around to make sure there aren't weirdos following me.

For context: I'm a young-adult male, but I don't exactly have training in martial arts or anything, so I'm every time I see anyone that looks "tough" I don't feel safe.

When I was a kid, my parents told me the usual "stranger danger" talk. Also in movies and tv, there are usualy a lot of plot involving peoppe getting followed, and the victim never looks back. In crime stories, and in the news, people usually become a victim if a bad person follows them home.

So when I went to school as a kid/teen, I'd always be scanning my surroundings like very often, especially when nearing home, I'd be like looking around every 20 seconds to see if there's weirdos following.

Even as a young adult, I kinda still have this instinct. I mean, we hear about crime everywhere. I don't exactly live in a "slum", but I live in a big city, and more people generally means more crime, and statistically, crime is sort of an issue where I live, I mean, it'a a city, you know how it is. This is in the US btw.

I don't carry a gun, don't wanna have intrusive thoughts about killing myself so I don't want that, so I carry pepper spray just in case.

I mean, I'm probably not gonna change my behavior, I think its good to be cautious, this question is just me trying to see if there's anyone else out there think thinks like me.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Other people might do it, but that doesn't mean that you're not paranoid.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Yea pretty regularly, especially at night

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Depends on the circumstances. If I'm walking on a street or neighborhood someone told me they got mugged on I'll be way more aware and observant than otherwise. Same if I'm walking in nature it's good to look behind regularly to be familiar with how the trail looks both ways so you don't get turned around on the way back or if there are large predators in the area. If I'm walking around my neighborhood I'll be much more selective about when I'm more observant because I know where the poorly lit areas and blind corners are, and more so at 2am than 2pm.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Speaking of mugging, someone snatched a few hundred dollars from my mom when she was about to deposit it in the bank. Happened just a few blocks from my house. Perhaps that was subconciously in the back of my mind.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

I don't. I do make sure I'm not in a way of anyone. And I walk on purpose. I do check before opening/getting in the car.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

I don't look around like I'm being followed, but I keep my head on a swivel for anything. Wild animal, car out of control, etc. seen enough videos of people getting fucked up by random things.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Not unless I am walking downtown or in an unfamiliar area of my city. I live in a pretty boring suburb of a safe city in Canada. I usually am walking with my very large and loud dog, and mostly in the daytime

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

I'm a 6'2" guy and people only mess with me if they're intoxicated. I'm always completely aware of my surroundings unless I'm in a crowded place that should be safe (like malls and airports).

All my sketchy encounters were on public transit, so I no longer take it in my city (transit in Denver is THE FUCKING WORST). I've been threatened and followed multiple times by drugged out weirdos, but let me tell you about the two worst incidents: 1) I was jumped and attacked by a random guy at an empty train station, there was nobody around to help or even witness and I ran for my life as he chased me; 2) guy at a bus stop recognized me from my workplace and he followed me on the bus to my girlfriend's place and then on another bus back to my home and he started hanging around outside my workplace hoping to run into me. So yeah most of the time I'm hyper-aware of everything happening around me in public and you're right to be as well.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Can't say I do

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

I don't worry about it cause I figure I'll sense it if someone is close behind me

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 week ago

I'm a woman, so yeah. Especially while living in America right now.

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