How do you handle this situation

[kgull85]

I work in downtown Tulsa and and several times I've had people come up to me asking for change, bus fare, gas money, etc... Some times they approach right after I leave my building and other times they have approached me in the parking lot.

What is the best way to keep them at a safe distance w/o just spraying them with pepper spray when they get in range and then quickly retreating to my car? Also in my specific situation 99% of the time when I'm leaving work my wife is with me so keep that in mind if you offer suggestions.

None of them have ever threatened me and most take my "no" answer and move on, but how do you avoid someone who is approaching you in a non-threatening manner? I know I could just turn and walk the other way, but I don't want to come across as some rude paranoid freak.....although that is probably the safest thing to do.

Thanks.

[skyydiver]

Drop trou and light up a blue flamer before they get too close. I wish I had better advice, it's a good question.

[DrBaker]

I had a bum ask for money and as usual I said no. He said he had nothing, nada, zilch, zero. I told him that I was $250k in debt.

Bum $0
Me $-250k

According to my calculations he was $250k better off financially. I asked if he could spare anything for me as I was obvisously in more need. He didn't seem very happy with that.

[Michael Brown]

This exact topic is covered in the CQT course.

We teach the use of the fence (as Geoff Thompson calls it) supplemented by clock step footwork and tape looped statements.

If this doesn't solve the problem, pre-emption is likely the solution since people with good intentions accept the tape-loop statements and don't encroach.

Michael Brown

[blake711]

The best response I ever saw was a friend of mine it went like this.

Bum walks up to us and says "Do you got any change man?"
Friend walks past bum and says "Yes I do thanks for asking."

I LMAO that was the funniest thing I ever heard.

[Subsonic]

How about some Bum Fight?

http://www.bumfights.com/images/topheader.jpg

[kgull85]

This exact topic is covered in the CQT course.

We teach the use of the fence (as Geoff Thompson calls it) supplemented by clock step footwork and tape looped statements.

If this doesn't solve the problem, pre-emption is likely the solution since people with good intentions accept the tape-loop statements and don't encroach.

Michael Brown


Is this an appropriate class for n00bs? (like me) Does the class assume that you are armed?

Oh I forgot to mention, I can't carry a firearm in the building where I work either. :(

I don't have a problem telling them no I don't have anything for them, but by that time they are already with in 5-10 feet of me and close enough to get to me or my wife before I would be able to take any action.

If it were just me I wouldn't be as worried as I am pretty fast and can out your average Joe, but with the wife there it's a bit different.

[Michael Brown]

Is this an appropriate class for n00bs? (like me) Does the class assume that you are armed?

Oh I forgot to mention, I can't carry a firearm in the building where I work either. :(

I don't have a problem telling them no I don't have anything for them, but by that time they are already with in 5-10 feet of me and close enough to get to me or my wife before I would be able to take any action.

If it were just me I wouldn't be as worried as I am pretty fast and can out your average Joe, but with the wife there it's a bit different.

Its a perfectly appropriate class for noobs as long as you can draw and handle a firearm safely.

The section on managing unknown contacts is exactly what you are describing.

It all still applies, armed or unarmed, but your chances for success are always increased by being armed in some way.

Michael Brown

[wlcharm]

What I like doing is
When the bum gets close point down by his feet and scream lookout. As he is looking and jumping back at what you are pointing at walk past him. Give it a try sometime it works!!!!!