Job Discussion Forums

[Samantha]

About the intervening...that's what I had assumed too. I was very disheartened and my husband had to explain this all to me. It doesn't change the fact that I would still open a can of whoop-ass on a purse snatcher to help someone else (as I did on my own guy who had jogging shoes on instead of girly sandals), but now I just don't expect that anyone will jump in to assist. Like I say, the police were called, probably to protect the perp had I caught up to him, but anyway...people were standing outside staring and watching and listening to very bad swear words that were probably mispronounced in my fury. That and the fact that my silk blouse had been ripped off in the fight may have distracted them. (I didn't know silk was so delicate until that day). The neighbors were all very concerned about my well-being after the fact, much more than the school where I had to cancel my class that evening, and as word got around asked for days how I was doing.

[DavefromWandsworth]

[DavefromWandsworth]

[Samantha]

I agree Dave. Your point about England is a good example. I think the not getting involved, especially in the big cities, is a world-wide epidemic.

[MamaOaxaca]

Of course I was being tongue and cheek. There really isn't any other way to respond on this topic.

Young men, few oportunities, and booze have the same outcome all over the world, be it in England, Mexico (Michoacan and other such Ag states in pracitular!), Japan, the US, Spain, where ever. There are bar room brawls in Mexico. That, in your 3 months here you haven't seen one yet, means that you haven't been in the right places (to see them). Obviously, you have been in the right places to avoid them, and you probably want to keep in those right places and out of the other right places. But to say Mexico is safer than X place because you haven't seen any drunks fighting in the 3 months you've been here is ridiculous. Just as ridiculous as it would be for me to say that Mexico is more dangerous than X place because I have seen drunks fighting, been picket pocketed and nearly plumted over a cliff on a bus several times. I've lived most of my adult life in this country and generally feel safer here than I do in the US, but that's because I've come to know how Mexico works and I feel like a stranger in the US. Feeling safe comes from inside a person. Some people will never feel safe anywhere, others will feel safe everywhere. Most of us are inbetween and feel safe in the places we are familiar and comfortable with.

[cangringo]

Ok let me splain properly, I am not saying they are going to jump some guy trying to break into our house, however I do believe they would call the police or at least yell something - maybe. At the very least as I said we have the bicycle dude whose job is to ride around the neighborhood and watch for crime. Granted he only has his billy club and his whistle but that is his job and he calls the police at any sign of break and entry or other trouble. We know this because hubby has chatted with him - did so in our first few weeks here in fact. They don't seem to be worried about dealing with the police - here as I've seen them called a few times over minor things like parking - it also helps that they are constantly driving around the neighborhood. When I say constantly, I mean about every 20 mins or so

Our neighbors are not just friendly in the Mexican sense but some are actually our friends so I would hope that there are few of them that might help even by their presense or a shout - hope to never have to find out. I guess I'm not that worried about getting jumped in our neighborhood because of the constant human presence in it...by that I mean the street is always full of neighbors talking and kids playing etc. Pretty much up until 11 or later much of the time.

I still feel safer here than in Vancouver where no one gives a rats ass about you or your property. So yes it is a plague everywhere. I have talked to people here about this and they seem to be shocked that no one would help you out in Vancouver...so I don't know if that's just naivety on their part or what.

Keep in mind also that I am not talking about walking around downtown or even two neighborhoods over.

Still what you went through Samantha is very scary and I'm glad to hear you fought back and were ok and sounds like you scared him a bit. Sad to hear that no one helped out. I would be doing the same thing - and hey girly sandals can really hurt if used correctly.

I had a guy grab my arm in Vancouver once when I was walking with hubby and another male friend of ours. They had walked a little ahead of me and the guy took his opportunity. I had just taken a self defence course and say what you will about them - it helped me in that instance, I didn't have to open any whoop ass cans but I intimidated him nicely and the guys realized their mistake. Needless to say they didn't do that again.

[DavefromWandsworth]

[ls650]

[DavefromWandsworth]

[mapache]

Regarding strangers - I unwisely let two different sets of strangers in. One set was friends of a friend. Drinking was involved and I invited my friend and her friends back to my house for more drinks. The other set was workers who installed tile. I think these guys were the ones who cased my place and worked with my neighbours (their "primos") to rob me in the middle of the day on Saturday while I worked. They easily popped out the round key locks in the metal doors.

Both sets got to know my dog who is a pretty good watchdog (at least he has a loud bark) but is a sweetheart with anyone he has gotten to know (apparently including "rateros") Now I am very wary about strangers including neighbours who want some water or to use the phone (I bring them a bucket and a cordless phone outside). Deadbolts with padlocks and a board propped against the inside of the front door give more security but now I feel like I live in a "carcel"

[cangringo]

Ah ok, I see now - was just wondering. That sucks...big time.

Our dog is the same unfortunately