Thread: I should have just given him money.

I was approached and robbed while letting myself into my car. They guy was smaller than me and I didn't really take it seriously at first. I wound up needing 17 stitches to sew up where he slashed me in the side with his knife. Thank God he didn't stab me or I would be dead. Looking back at it I should have just given him money. Yes I want to learn how to defend myself but not so I can "win" I just want to avoid making my wife a widow.

Wow, that's really scary. If you have not yet considered therapy you should consider it. Most victims of violent attacks don't seek out therapy and the incident haunts or even paralyses them for years. Even if you think you don't need it now, you should just consider one appointment.

That is such a scary story. I always worry about these kids who are on drugs and try to steal from you. They seem to have lost their touch with reality and they will stab or slash or do anything they have to, to get the money they need. I stay out of a part of town where these kids are more prevalent.

I think that your story is a good lesson to all of us. We need to know exactly the best way to react in every situation and then practice that reaction. Our lives are the most important thing and we should be practicing tactics that will save us from harm. Sometimes that includes handing over valuables. I'm glad you lived to share your story.

I'm sorry for the unpleasant memories you must carry now because of that experience. You are very lucky that the robber didn't injure you further. It's so hard to make those second-decisions when a threat appears though. Even if I was a master at self defense, I'd always fear either freezing up or making the situation worse. You can never tell what someone will do.

Yeah, I definitely don't think we should ever assume that we can "take" the other guy. He wouldn't be robbing you in the first place in most cases if he didn't have the balls and brawn to back it up.

No amount of money or possessions will ever be worth your life, but sometimes I think it's just pure instinct that causes us to automatically resist giving up our things. Better to just hand it over and survive to earn more than to end up dead on the street over it.

Many times when a person is attacked, it is by someone they wouldn't have expected. Sometimes they approach you in a friendly manner, and the next thing you know, you are being robbed!

That is just what I was thinking, Steel. People are unpredictable and selfish. For all you know he could have had more than a knife on his person. This world truly is survival of the fittest.

Originally Posted by Amirah

No amount of money or possessions will ever be worth your life, but sometimes I think it's just pure instinct that causes us to automatically resist giving up our things. Better to just hand it over and survive to earn more than to end up dead on the street over it.

Exactly, Amirah. We can always get back material possessions, but I cannot say the same thing for our life. It is indeed sad that most people place more importance on the things that they have and not what matters most. However, if one remains calm, with a presence of mind, I'm sure they would opt to give up their money or "valuables" instead of fighting it out with their attacker.