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“Never Ask For A Quiet Room”: 45 Everyday Safety Tips Women Swear By For Navigating The World
A 2024 survey by the Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research revealed that violence against women jumped by 4% since 2019. These alarming numbers led to 46% of females worldwide feeling unsafe walking in their own neighborhoods at night.
As a result, women on social media have banded together to share survival hacks to deal with potential danger. These go beyond the basics, from wearing bright colors and acting “weird” to actually engaging with strange men who come up to you.
Many of these may seem out of the ordinary, but they will make sense once you read through them. Ladies, if you have tips of your own, feel free to share them in the comments!
Image credits: _naturella1
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Disagree with men as often as possible. If a man touches you at a bar and you didn’t invite it, step back and loudly say “don’t touch me.” Be a problem. Always be a problem.
The attack starts as a conversation. Pull it out at the roots.
Crystal Albert 1 month ago
Being clear about boundaries up front and vocal about it is NEVER wrong!!!
RELATED:
#2
I always always always walk fast and look pissed off.
No one asks me for sh*t because I always look like I am about to chew out anyone who breathes near me.
#3
It’s better to be seen as a b*tch than to experience harassment or violence.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
As I man, I 100% agree. I'd much rather not like you, than have you be a*s*ulted or harassed. I'll get over you being mean to me, a lot faster than you will get over being harassed or worse.
#4
I saw a thread like this on TikTok. The best thing I learned is if you need to gain attention to avoid a kidnapping or attack, scream out MOM instead of HELP. She said when she did that every woman in the vicinity looked to help her. It activates our maternal instinct whether it’s our child or not.
#5
I suggest that all women read The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker. It is old now, and I wish the gender roles and nuances in that context had been updated - but it taught me that I dont have to say yes, I dont have to be polite to someone who is invading my space, I don't care if the creepy guy thinks I'm a b**ch, I will not open my door just because someone is pounding on it...
Learning to listen and trust our intuition is super important and will keep us safe.
#6
I’m a s*xual a*****t lawyer. The person you know well or are dating is so much more likely to harm you than a random stranger. Don’t stop being vigilant just bc you “know him”…
#7
Honestly? I got a Rottweiler and he goes anywhere I can take him. ATM? Rottweiler. Gas station? Rottweiler. To the mail box? Rottweiler. If someone is outside my house I know because Rottweiler. And he deterred someone from breaking into my apartment.
#8
Never, ever wear headphones when out walking. Many will disagree. But I want to know if someone ore something is coming up behind me!
Serena Myers 4 weeks ago
Always, always, ever and always be aware of your situation. It doesn't matter if you are in your teens or your 90's, there might be nasty people looking to grab your phone/watch/wallet or worse. Put them all away in safe pockets. There is not the least need in the world to be on your phone constantly. Watch out.
#9
A can of wasp spray around the house is WAY more effective than mace. It’s made to spray accurately more than 10 feet away and blinds your assailant. It’s also an inconspicuous thing to keep around the home.
#10
Walk like you know exactly where you're going and you belong where you are.
BrownEyedPanda 4 weeks ago
Or, as Gordon Parks said to Richard Roundtree in Shaft, "Walk across that street like you own it." I would add, "And like you dare ANYONE to tell you otherwise!" You're a queen, and proud of it!
#11
Guys are more turned off by crazy girl behavior than they are of "no thanks, I have a boyfriend" . So whenever a guy starts hitting on me and I've said no thanks or made it clear I'm not interested and he doubles down, I switch it up and fawn all over him saying "oh, you look like such a good father, I've always wanted 6 kids, 3 girls and 3 boys. Their names are going to be..." And they pretty much all take off running like their pants are on fire 😂😂😂
#12
If I travel alone I always say I’m going to meet my family to “celebrate my dad’s retirement from the homicide unit and my brothers promotion to detective” 😂 I’ll even memorize a local precinct number to make it more believable.
#13
Warning Graphic ***
My dad was a Vietnam vet who taught me guerrilla warfare tactics as self defense when I was really young. Appropriate? Maybe and maybe not.
If your attacker gets close enough, poke your thumb into the corner of the eye nearest the bridge of the nose in a scooping motion. The eye will come out. Grab the eye firmly, it will be slippery, and yank very hard to sever the optic nerve and disable your attacker.
Also, never go to a second location. Never.
#14
Predators can read the least confident person in the room by looking at them, scanning. They smell fear.
Body language, how you walk, how you step and move. You gotta embody self worth or they’ll pick up on all the lack of self esteem and insecurities that makes you a target.
If a male stranger asks you “for help,” that’s a trap. Keep moving. Men don’t instinctively ask a woman that they just met to help them. Protect yourself, you don’t need to perform your empathy in a trade for safety.
Black Cat 4 weeks ago
Like Ted Bundy approaching women with his arm in a sling asking them to help him get his boat off the top of his car or something and seemingly none of them asked him why he wasn't asking men to help him lift something heavy or how he was going to sail with his arm in a sling.
#15
Lock your doors as soon as you get into the car. It doesn’t matter if someone walking by will get their feelings hurt or feel offended as if you did it because of them personally. YOUR safety is more important than their feelings.
MalayDragon 1 month ago
Can confirm, Even as a man I do this and it has saved my a*s more than once. Solid advice for everyone.
#16
If I’m walking at night in a quieter area, I walk in the street instead of on the sidewalks.
#17
I had a friend in college who faked an epilepsy seizure during an attempted r*pe. I thought that was pretty smart. It prevented the r*pe.
Just me... 4 weeks ago
I've been told wetting yourself during an a*****t will stop him instantly.
#18
This may sound harsh, but stop being so quick to help people, especially men.
Always assess the situation and your environment.
Laura Spring 4 weeks ago
Saw a woman hitchhiking - we don't have hitchhikers in our area, period. Looked like a d**g a****t, kept on driving. Learned that when I was young and stupid.
#19
Keep a burner wallet with expired cards, empty gift cards, an old library card & some singles. Throw it past the assailant & run in the opposite direction. They’re forced to go after the “easy money” or to go after a moving target.
#20
Unpopular opinion, I guess, but never having to depend on a man for anything including support.
Surly Scot 1 month ago
Not an unpopular opinion. I encourage this in every woman I meet, especially the younger generations.
#21
My mother was followed a couple of times before I was born, (Chicago), she said one time a man grabbed her and she just felt sick and went limp completely stopped walking, and he ran off, another time she was being followed and turned and confronted the man and that made him stop, and another time she hightailed it in a store and went right behind the counter and got the clerk’s attention.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
If you feel like you are being followed, first 100% trust your gut. It's better to feel dumb later, than be killed or hurt. Second, go into a busy area with good lighting. Preferably a place where people are interacting with each other. For instance, a store or restaurant is great. A subway station is terrible. Finally, get somebody's attention. If you go up to a random guy and say "I think somebody is following me, would you just let me hang out for a bit" they will almost certainly say yes. We love to feel like a hero. If you don't feel comfortable talking to a random dude, ask a store clerk, or a group of women. Again, better to feel embarrassed later, than to get unalived.
#24
My mama used to tell me to keep a can of Raid next to my register when I worked with the public, she used to and said it would shoot farther than pepper spray.
#25
Always walk like you have somewhere you're a little late for, especially in an unfamiliar area.
If you have to doublecheck directions on your phone, go into a store, stand in front of a shelf, people will just assume you're comparing prices.
If someone is approaching you and making you nervous, make eye contact and ask them if you know them from a party or nightclub, or if they know so-and-so(pick a really common name)They won't want to mess with you if you can ID them(or they think you can).
#26
Stop. Giving. Out. Your. Phone. Number.
Use an app or a google voice number. You can find a ton of info, INCLUDING YOUR ADRRESS, with just your number.
Spencer's slave no longer 1 month ago
I expect this depends on the country and type of cellphone, contract or prepaid.
#27
When strange men approach you say “HEY how ya doin??” Like you’re a confident man in a business meeting. Idk why but it works 😂 changed the game for me.
greenideas 1 month ago
Because they get off on the fear. If you're confident and assertive, they scuttle away like the rats they are.
#28
Always notice cars behind you.
Make a few turns and if they keep following then never go home. Go to a police station.
And never carry a gun in your purse.
NEVER.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
Owning a gun in general is a bad idea. It highly increases your likelihood of being assaulted (4.4 times more likely according to the NIH), and most gun owners are killed by their own guns. In fact, according to another NIH study, for every 1 time a gun in a home was used for a self-defense or a justifiable shooting, there were 4 unintentional shootings, 7 criminal assaults or homicides, and 11 suicides. Basically, the stats say if you want to be safe, be without a firearm.
#29
Make eye contact. Strangers are less likely to assault you if they know you’ve seen their face and can give a description.
#30
Being heavily tattooed makes you less likely to be targeted for human trafficking and easier to identify if you are taken.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
I'm curious about the stats on this. I've heard opposite arguments that heavily tattooed women are more likely to be s*xually assa*lted. Again, I have no statistics on this either way. However, there was a study I read recently that said that heavily tattooed women are less likely to be believed after an alleged assa*lt.
#31
Get a dog. Not a tiny one. I can walk outside with no fear now. They wouldn't hurt a fly, but they sound terrifying.
#32
For the love of all things-
KNOW YOUR EXITS!
Try to face the entrance and pay attention to who is entering. May just save your life
#33
If I see someone creepy approaching me, I say in my mind “stay away from me”. Men have literally turned on their heels and walked the other way. Is it logical? No. Has it worked numerous times for me? Yes.
#35
Pay attention to your shadow if it’s in front of you, this always helps me when i’m afraid that there’s someone behind.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
This is sound advice for everyone. But I'd go one step further and always be aware of your surroundings. You can't always count on the sun being at your back, and street lights cast deep shadows. Always walk in the light, don't walk along roads that are dark. Always check your six, but don't forget three and nine, danger can come from the sides too. I like to scan my surroundings every 20-40 paces, and definitely check around corners. There's also safety in numbers, so stay where there are a lot of people whenever possible.
#36
When I walked around on a solo trip in Italy, I always carried my tripod in hand, in a long, cylindrical black bag. I got verbally catcalled often, but no one ever approached/ touched me.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
I don't understand this. Why does a tripod in a long black bag matter?
#37
Your elbow is your strongest bone/ thing to use.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
Your femur is your strongest bone. But yeah, throw an elbow if your in close. But know that it's not the most effective weapon. It's harder than your fist, but it's hard to get a lot of inertia behind the elbow. A jab is a much more penetrating blow. If you're close enough to throw an elbow, I'd recommend jamming the top of your forehead into their nose. It's the hardest part of your skull, and you'll likely break the nose. There will be a LOT of blood.
#38
Lying for safety isn’t lying lying; use it freely! Memorize a couple of phone numbers and carry a power bank.
#39
If someone has their hands around your throat, drop your chin right away. It’ll make it harder for them to choke you. Use 4 fingers and jab them into their armpit as hard as you can. Their reflex will be to pull that arm in towards their body. Then put your arms inside of theirs and raise them above your head. Spin towards whatever armpit you jabbed. It’ll break their hold.
Fran Morasco 4 weeks ago
Someone came up and grabbed me from behind and put a knife to my throat. Luckily, my father had taught me a few things, first smash your heel down into the small bones above his toes. Next elbow them in the ribs. Swing around and kick them between the legs never thought I’d needed it, but I did and I walked away
#40
When I'm loading my kids in the car at the park or store, I always loudly tell them that we are going straight to see Daddy for lunch because he just got done at the gym! Trained my daughter to respond with "LEG DAY BABY!"
#42
My criminology professor said carrying heavy water bottles or umbrellas discouraged attacks as you have a visible weapon. Avoid ponytails as they make an easy grab from behind.
If you feel like you are being followed or have unwanted attention, turn and face them and ask them something innocuous, like the time. It shows them you are not afraid and now that you’ve seen them head on, you can ID them.
#43
When you are staying in a hotel alone, always put two names on the room and ask for 2 key cards.
setsuriseikou 1 month ago
In Russia hotel receptionists take a copy of your ID, and every guest has to provide one. You can't just say 'oh my friend X is going to join me later'
#44
Act weird. Wear bold bright colors, I now keep specific scents on hand for specific reasons. Feel free to look them up. Banana, and cucumber melon.
I put glitter all over my body whether I'm going to the gym or the club, you touch me, someone will know.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
But here's the thing, I have young daughters, I've always got glitter on me. I wonder what the other stuff is for. Also, I had a cucumber melon mojito at a party once that was so good I still think about it.
#45
Fake names on rideshare apps and never let them know where home is. Always make sure to say it’s a male’s residence if it’s brought up.
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What do you think ?
Wintermute 4 weeks ago
During my first job in retail the training, specifically for women, was that if somebody grabs you and tries to physically manipulate you in any way - just p**s/s**t yourself. Let it all go. Embarrassment be damned, they'll probably let you go, or at least it'll buy a moment of shock for you to get away. Better to buy new pants than a coffin.
BookFanatic 4 weeks ago
If you're traveling in a strange city and you need to take a cab/Uber/whatever, find a way to sound like you've been in the city for a while or you're a repeat visitor. "Oh, I always stay at the so-and-so when I'm in the city." Or "I've been here a few days now but there's still so much to see!" It makes the drivers think you're experienced and will know if they try to take the long way to your destination to rack up the ride's cost.
SpiderWoman13 4 weeks ago (edited)
What I know and have used always is that predators HATE women who cuss. Someone's following you? Let fly cuss words as loudly as you can and see how quickly predatory males scatter. It's hilarious. Besides being alert, confident, having a long stride - being as UNLADYLIKE as possible if I sense unwholesome attention on me has always paid off. Happened just two days ago.
Load More Replies... Wintermute 4 weeks ago
During my first job in retail the training, specifically for women, was that if somebody grabs you and tries to physically manipulate you in any way - just p**s/s**t yourself. Let it all go. Embarrassment be damned, they'll probably let you go, or at least it'll buy a moment of shock for you to get away. Better to buy new pants than a coffin.
BookFanatic 4 weeks ago
If you're traveling in a strange city and you need to take a cab/Uber/whatever, find a way to sound like you've been in the city for a while or you're a repeat visitor. "Oh, I always stay at the so-and-so when I'm in the city." Or "I've been here a few days now but there's still so much to see!" It makes the drivers think you're experienced and will know if they try to take the long way to your destination to rack up the ride's cost.
SpiderWoman13 4 weeks ago (edited)
What I know and have used always is that predators HATE women who cuss. Someone's following you? Let fly cuss words as loudly as you can and see how quickly predatory males scatter. It's hilarious. Besides being alert, confident, having a long stride - being as UNLADYLIKE as possible if I sense unwholesome attention on me has always paid off. Happened just two days ago.
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