Originally Posted by sdb23

Lol, when I was growing up in Hamilton I thought that every other city was exactly the same way with crackheads, hookers, sirens and crime (house was robbed multiple times) being a regular thing.

It was kind of a revelation when I started going to Mac with the non-locals andthey would tell me they were scared of hanging around downtown and that the downtown core was so dirty and gross.


P.S. Try going to bustops where it is nicely lit, at a bustop where you think there will be other people at all times of the day, or at one where not a lot of people or traffic pass by

Originally Posted by bcars

My post got liked by 23 people. Your post got liked by 0. Therefore, I do pride myself... bow down and fear my incredible Paint skillz.

No doubt.
Not that the ratings on here has any significance to me, but I'd be rather sad and puzzled if people actually "liked" the situation I described. Would you?

I thank everyone else that has shown support. It's sincerely appreciated.

That is terrifying. I go downtown a lot for medical appointments in the evening and I have to take the bus to and from by myself. I really don't feel safe as a 5'1 105lb female in that area. I've never really encountered any worse than people asking me for money, but its scary to know that muggings do occurr..
I'm glad you're okay though

Wow, that is so scary. I'm glad that you're okay and was able to get out of the situation. Don't beat yourself up too hard over this, you handled it as well as any normal person could have in your situation. And ignore the insensitive comments; this is just pretty much what MI is like these days.

I think I can help you out...

Originally Posted by mickey2012

No doubt.
Not that the ratings on here has any significance to me, but I'd be rather sad and puzzled if people actually "liked" the situation I described. Would you?

Nope, because I'm a troll, duh.

its just downtown
dont go there if u have no bussiness
dont look at ppl
dont stare
and you will be fine
i used to perform at downtown clubs n go out at like 2-3 to see scarier shit ... just be smart... and if u ever get ur ass kicked.. pm me

The people who have been posting insensitive comments clearly are from small towns, or live in affluent neighbourhoods of cities... Stuff like this happens A LOT and its definitely traumatic.

Coming from someone who's born and raised in Toronto, and I've been chased by guys with knives before, jumped, and almost robbed for no reason... Just know that you CANT trust anyone in society today.. Its sad but true, a friendly "what time is it?" is an attempt to have your guard let down...

Ignore locals, don't look at them, and definitely don't speak to them... If they ask you something, kindly reply briefly and LIE if you have to ie. "i'm sorry I don't have the time"

Thankfully you weren't hurt, hopefully you'll get over this whole situation, it takes time but usually happens

Originally Posted by shes-a-diva*

The people who have been posting insensitive comments clearly are from small towns, or live in affluent neighbourhoods of cities... Stuff like this happens A LOT and its definitely traumatic.

Coming from someone who's born and raised in Toronto, and I've been chased by guys with knives before, jumped, and almost robbed for no reason... Just know that you CANT trust anyone in society today.. Its sad but true, a friendly "what time is it?" is an attempt to have your guard let down...

Ignore locals, don't look at them, and definitely don't speak to them... If they ask you something, kindly reply briefly and LIE if you have to ie. "i'm sorry I don't have the time"

Thankfully you weren't hurt, hopefully you'll get over this whole situation, it takes time but usually happens

Actually i think it's the people that already live in a place like Hamilton that are making light of the situation, but their point is that you HAVE to make light of the situation. If you don't then of course it'll be traumatizing. Christ, this might be a life lesson for everyone, the world will do horrible things to you and sometimes the only way you can really cope with the insanity of it, is to simply laugh along with it.

So if i get jumped, I should make light of the situation? Thats not happening.

Originally Posted by BigT905

its just downtown
dont go there if u have no bussiness
dont look at ppl
dont stare
and you will be fine
i used to perform at downtown clubs n go out at like 2-3 to see scarier shit ... just be smart... and if u ever get ur ass kicked.. pm me

LOL 45678910

Originally Posted by Rakim

So if i get jumped, I should make light of the situation? Thats not happening.

So you're saying that a better alternative would be getting angry over something you can't change? I don't really understand your logic.

I'm not saying you should make light of everything, but sometimes that's the most necessary coping mechanism.

I hate being downtown or....anywhere in Hamilton by myself but I've had to quite a few times this year unfortunately.

I have a few ground rules that tend to help me
- Don't make eye contact. Always stare off into the distance.
- Don't carry too many things in your hands. You draw unnecessary attention to yourself and it makes it harder to run
- Always keep your cell phone nearby and even if you have to fake it, pretend you're talking to somebody if you need to. The Kid's Help Phone does stay with you on the phone if you need it at times like that
- I like telling people where I'm going, at what time and what time I should be back.
- I don't let the fear show, no matter how creepy the person on the bus staring at me is
- Scowl. Scowl a lot.

I wouldn't recommend pretending you talk to yourself or acting "crazy" unless you find it will help, because you do meet jackasses who like picking on people with mental disabilities. The situation could easily escalate.

Carry a whistle.

Yell fire. (http://www.justyellfire.com/)

Originally Posted by mattatmac

Actually i think it's the people that already live in a place like Hamilton that are making light of the situation, but their point is that you HAVE to make light of the situation. If you don't then of course it'll be traumatizing. Christ, this might be a life lesson for everyone, the world will do horrible things to you and sometimes the only way you can really cope with the insanity of it, is to simply laugh along with it.

I tend to disagree... A lot of people who are locals to a city usually know that this sort of stuff happens... Its people who are usually unaware of stuff like this happening who take it as a joke... I know a couple of people I've met at Mac who are from small cities think taking the bus is safe... Um hello, the bus is not always safe, and this is coming from someone who's taken the bus everyday since they were 13 years old... I know these same people who think taking the bus is safe have never taken a bus until now...

Its usually the people who are unaware of what the world is really like that think being careful is a joke... Sh*t happens everyday, everywhere... Some people are more apt to realize this, others tend to be more oblivious... I mean I've met people who seriously believe that there is no way for people to obtain access to guns because we live in Canada and guns are illegal... If this were true maybe there wouldn't be any shootings ever