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Bartenders can be some of the most perceptive people out there. They can read the room and they can definitely notice when someone doesn’t have the best of intentions towards some of the other guests. In short, they have the power to be everyday heroes and protect their customers from men with dubious intentions.

Case in point, New Yorker Laura Motta shared a simple but very effective way how a bartender kept her safe from a potentially dangerous guy sitting at the bar. Her tweet immediately went viral, getting nearly 800k likes on the social media platform, and inspiring others to share similar stories.

People opened up about how they were protected or protected others themselves, whether in bars, on the street, or elsewhere. We’ve collected the most powerful stories. Scroll down to read them, Pandas. And if you want to open up about the times someone kept you from harm or you saved someone in need, you can tell us all about it in the comments.

More info: Twitter | LauraMotta.com

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Nick Lasley
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's great that they helped, and I'm not saying they had any ill intentions because they obviously didn't, but it's weird that he didn't just stop the guy from tampering with her tire, or warn her about it, instead just decided to temporarily freak her out by surrounding her car.

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Laura, based in New York, is an editorial director, content strategist, and lifestyle writer who specialized in travel. Her viral tweet and the entire thread that followed showed just how complicated and potentially risky real-life really is.

There are plenty of dangerous people lurking out there. But there are also kind folks who go out of their way to help a stranger. It’s the best and the worst of humanity. And sometimes a friendly bartender giving you a warning on their phone screen can be the only thing protecting you from future harm.

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Potty pagan panda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would have been good to note his number plate and report to police. This a**hole might try with someone else :((

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This isn’t the first time that Bored Panda has written about bartenders rushing to the rescue of their patrons. For instance, Benjamin Smith, a bartender working in Los Angeles, explained to us in an earlier in-depth interview how bartenders create secret signals for customers to show that they’re in need of assistance. One such sign is ordering an ‘angel shot.’

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When you order an ‘angel shot’ at a bar that has them, the bar staff know that something’s not right and will do everything that they can to protect you from unwanted attention and potentially dangerous customers.

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(T)reacherou(S)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good, but I think the bartender should've given her non alcoholic from the beginning, the other dude was obviously a creep. Still nice of the bartender, scary situation!

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Man in the ceiling
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good on him! More bartenders should do this if they spot someone acting shady around a persons drink.

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“The angel shot has saved and will continue to save lives,” bartender Ben told Bored Panda that it’s vital that people know ‘angel shots’ exist to help patrons.

As a bartender, he has already had to step in to help some clients. “I have definitely had to Intervene in multiple situations where someone has felt uncomfortable. Most bars have security so they are helpful in assisting in these situations,” he said.

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According to the bartender, a vital part of working as a bartender is being able to read the room and people’s body language. The job is so much more than just taking orders and serving drinks!

“I think it’s key that bartenders are aware of their surroundings and pay attention to guest body language. I can easily tell if someone is uncomfortable or may need my help,” Ben explained to Bored Panda, adding that he was glad that his video helped educate industry workers, as well as guests, about the ‘angel shots’ secret signal.

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Mouse
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did something similar, just no one was around to hear me. I was waiting in a parking lot to pick up my husband from working late one night. Hear a noise, look up and there's a guy penguining it and having a good time with his hand. I thought if I turned on my highbeam headlights he would be embarrassed and stop. But, no, he used the lights like he was on stage somewhere and quite proud of the show he was giving me so I honked, still nothing, yelled at him, no reaction, just staring and getting a workout. I just shut off the lights while he did his thing and then he went back into work. Weird moment.

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Loading Screen Tips🇺🇦
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's great to see people actually being upstanders. Maybe all those seminars in school actually worked.

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In LA-based bartender Ben’s opinion, ‘angel shots’ are “something we should all know about.” In that particular bar, there are 3 variations. For example, ordering an ‘angel shot’ with lime means that you need police assistance.

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JOHANNA MUELLER
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

good thing they actually censored the drink this time, so people don't catch on who aren't supposed to!

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Jane Alexander
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So what if the perp/perv knows she's asked for help, what's he gonna do about it?

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Mark Alibozek
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember when I used to frequent a restaurant kinda like a Hooters type deal. I grew up with sisters and know them being nice is part of the job. Got to be friends with a few of them. Manager would let stay after closing and we'd hang out doing silverware. I ended up being the go to person to walk the girls to their car or if a guy was harassing them I was their "boyfriend" and they'd come stand by me or sit and I'd play the part. Turns out a lot of guys knew me by name and hated me because they felt I got in their way. Messed up that they have to be afraid at work because they have to be nice.

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Brian Bauer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

suddenly i'm a little bothered my usual place doesnt have something like this going. they got two unisex bathrooms, so such a thing would be in plain sight. never once witnessed any incidents occurring, but still.

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Chicagoboi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm now thinking which drinks are on there that are not strange enough to order but awful enough people don't actually order them.

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Jaguarundi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The censored part is "Angel Shot". Fortunately, this has become quite common in touristy area bars in the US.

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Allison Coleman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be good if there was also similar in the men's room, with a different drink obviously. That has 2 benefits: 1 - "men" can get into similar situations; 2 - they wouldn't know to listen for this particular drink's name (they'd be listening for the name of the drink from the men's room).

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JustAFan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They censored out "@ngel s#ot", in case anyone was wondering. I can't believe they're censoring potentially life-saving advice. Swearing, I can understand, but this is just counterproductive.

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Napoleon dynamite
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay I've thought of some things the drinks could be: IPA with ice Wine with a lime And frozen amargarita Neat

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Anne Reid
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most bars that have these don’t feature those as real drinks. Or the bartender asks the person if they need help.

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El Dee
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think things are especially difficult now that so many of us are meeting people from online dating sites. When we met socially first (yes, I remember the old days) they were more likely to be local and someone we knew might know them and could say that they were okay or to be avoided..

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Janet C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that this is even necessary should embarrass every man on the planet. Unfortunately too many of them would be pissed off that their "fun" is being hampered.

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Marco Hub-Dub
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just ask for an Angel Shot. Bartenders tend to know this one. Edit: commented before reading above.

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Aileen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone on the internet could see it and then it's less of a secret. Creeps who visit this bar will know what the person who orders it is doing.

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Meanwhile, the ‘neat’ variant means you need someone to walk you to your car because you don’t feel safe going out alone. Lastly, there’s the on-the-rocks version of the ‘angel shot’ that signals the bar staff that they should call you a taxi. Of course, these signals can vary from bar to bar and state to state. So it’s best to have a frank chat about these sorts of things with the staff if you visit a bar regularly.

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RJ The Drama King
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it looks like an abusive situation to others it might be one. Honey throw the whole husband out

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Absolutely anyone can be a victim of harassment. However, some groups of people are particularly vulnerable and can become targets more often.

Emily May, the Co-Founder and Executive Director at ‘Hollaback!’, an organization that aims to put an end to harassment in all of its forms, told Bored Panda some time ago that harassment can happen anywhere. It’s something that isn’t restricted to a single place. It can happen on the street, in bars, in the supermarket, on social media.

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Anne Reid
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! As a bartender, when I read the original post, I was angry that the bartender knew enough about the guy to know he was a predator, but couldn’t or wouldn’t kick him out! None of the places I’ve worked in would allow someone like him in!

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Man in the ceiling
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s always odd how when predators get their odd plans foiled by decent people they get irritated like they’re getting majorly inconvenienced.

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Caro Caro
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy Moly. 17 years old, the poor girl. Imagine what could have happened. SH!T

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“At its core is a power dynamic that constantly reminds historically subordinated groups of our vulnerability to assault in public spaces. Street harassment can happen to anyone, but disproportionately punishes women, girls, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups for being themselves in the world,” the expert noted.

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Destiny Harbour
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To think that so many guys feel entitled to hunt women like prey and expect nobody to stop them!!

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See Also on Bored Panda

However, a strong and tight-knit community can help protect the most vulnerable members from potential dangers.

“One thing that can help you build a sense of safety is community. Take the time to get to know the good folks in your neighborhood and build positive relationships with not just your neighbors, but the people who deliver the mail, the trash folks, the guy that mows your neighbor’s lawn, etc.,” Emily explained to Bored Panda.

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Katy McMouse
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In cases like that, I think it would also be good to call the cops. It's one thing to be harassed in bars by drunks, but to have someone stone cold sober, in a store, following and sexually harassing you, is a whole other animal. You know that this isn't his first time doing this, nor is it his last.

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“The more people you know, the more people will have your back if something happens again. Knowing this can increase your sense of safety and belonging in your community,” she said that having a network of people you can trust can help you feel safer.

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Kathryn Baylis
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never assume something like that. People often need protection from family too!

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Ace Girl
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like all bars should use that same machine that seals a lid on the cup that you poke your straw through like at bubble tea places. I don't need my bubble tea covered, but I do need my alcoholic drink covered. Just makes sense that bars would adopt this same method!

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