If you think it's easy being female...

[Betheny]

You're dead wrong.

Listen to some of what I have to say, and ask yourself what you think.

First off, I work as a clerk on overnights at a local gas station/convenience store. It's in close proximity to several bars and things of that nature. It's in a fairly upscale neighborhood.

Almost every night I go to work, I end up having to have words with people because they behave inappropriately towards me. I have many, many examples of this, but I'll just cite this one incident to lessen confusion. This is a radical (although typical) situation I have to deal with daily.

Tonight, I'm standing outside having a cigarette at 11 o'clock. A customer that I've seen before walks up to me. At first, it wasn't obvious that he had been drinking, but he later tells me he had. So... he comes up to me, and the first thing he does is start asking me personal questions. I refuse to answer them, except tell him my name (Forgotten nametag... anyway).

We stand there talking for a few moments and I put my cigarette out and head inside. He blocks my way and starts telling me that he things I have a good soul, and that he's very attracted to me. Then, he starts trying to touch me. And then he tries to get me into his car. He says he wants to talk to me about something, but he has to get me into his car and we have to drive 'around the corner' (the alley.) I refuse and make to go inside again, and he blocks me and offers me fifty dollars to go to t he alley with him. I laughed it off and walked away.

He keeps coming in every hour or so up until two AM, and I successfully avoided seeing him. Two cops that regularly hang out in the store tell him he needs to leave and stay gone, as does my co-worker. But this guy is going to come back. His kind always do.

So here's the question: Would you hit on someone who was simply trying to do their job? How would you react if they said no? What the hell gives him the right to treat me like that, when I'm only there trying to pay my fucking rent and maybe get a little ahead in life?

I don't dress suggestively. Actually, rather the opposite. I don't even wear make up or do my hair when I go into work. What more can I do to minimize bullshit like this? I've even gone so far as to declare myself vehemently gay to some of these guys to get them to leave me alone. But that just seems to turn them on more.

WTF!?!??!

I'm really upset, if you couldn't tell. I'll end my rant though.

[Caiylania]

That is screwed up. When I worked nights at the hotel, some men seemed to think that meant after I got my work done I wanted to 'inspect' their rooms with them. Some were so crude I had to have my manager talk to them. All the desk clerks who worked shifts alone went through it.

Didn't help it was on a military base with a ton of TDY soldiers staying there!

Of course you don't deserve to be treated that way, it is fucked up. The guy should get his ass kicked if he does it again.

[Betheny]

I think the real problem is, what happens when I'm working alone, because it happens from time to time. Does it make me a whiny baby if I were to call the police when things like this happen? I think it does, which is why I'm reluctant to do such a thing. But if I simply say "No, please leave, I'm not okay with you being here"... shouldn't that be enough, and if they refuse, is that a police matter?

[P-Granny]

Ha. Yeah guys like that piss (can we swear here? Sorry I never read the rules) anyway I hate guys like that, think they can say and do whatever the hell they want, even though you wish they'd fuck off and die somewhere.

Would you hit on someone who was simply trying to do their job? Depends, if they're interested and I like him, then yeah.

How would you react if they said no? They don't usually, heh. But if they said no then oh well. I won't stalk or harrass them! I mean, how embarrassing..

What the hell gives him the right to treat me like that, when I'm only there trying to pay my fucking rent and maybe get a little ahead in life? Unfortunately there are people out there who don't give two shits about anyone else but numero uno.

Best to just get a broom handle next time and shove it up his arse, see how he likes having a pain in his butt.

[Caiylania]

If they refuse to leave you alone it is a police matter. Also, if they are not purchasing anything, its loitering so that is also a police matter, even if you have to be anal about it.

Your personal safety is important, and if you are working alone at night, then these guys shouldn't be making you feel unsafe. The police will understand.

One backup you could have is to get a mini tape recorder, so when a guy harasses you could record it (have it in a pocket or hidden where you are) so if they deny harassing you you'll have the proof to back it up.

reason one why every law abiding citizen should be able to carry a gun.

[Betheny]

They won't even let me have pepper spray or mace. Heh.

[Adhara]

Maimara do not hesitate in calling the police over something like this. It doesn't make you a whiny baby it makes you a smart woman.

I take it you have to go outside to smoke? Are there cameras outside? If so try to stay within range of the camera at all times and the mini tape recorder is a good idea.

[Weedmage Princess]

I don't think you're being a baby. If you tell someone you're not interested, and they keep pushing up on you...trying to get you in their car, blocking you from going back into the store, offering you money, etc. That's definitely a police matter. Especially if the person is under the influence of alcohol or something else. Some of these guys, they get a little liquor in them, and they feel it's their right to approach you and put their hands on you...no matter what you may say or do... That's one of the main reasons I stopped going to clubs when I did. I've had dudes try to pull me off to the side, try to stick their hands down my blouse, etc. etc. So yeah, you can never be too careful.

[theotherjohn]

Originally posted by The Edine
reason one why every law abiding citizen should be able to carry a gun.

every law abiding citizen is able to carry a gun

untill you are cought with it and then you have a felony charge against you

[Weedmage Princess]

Well, every law abiding citizen has the right to APPLY for a license to carry a firearm I believe, and I don't think they're that difficult to get..if you're a law abiding citizen of course....so I guess you're right, TOJ.

that all depends on what state you live in

[Artha]

Obviously, you need more pepper spray.

Screw guns, there's a chance you won't kill them and they'll just sue you. Pepper spray though...pain-tastic.

in texas sure its easy to have a concealed carry permit…. In Illinois good luck on that… In Chicago it’s illegal

[Skirmisher]

Maimara, please do call the police if anyone ever refuses to leave when you ask them to. Look at it as if you are trying to enforce your own HMC policy. If the idiots start getting a history of complaints, they may start to think twice before acting up.

I'm surprised they will not allow you to keep at least pepper spray if they are willing to place you in harms way for their own profit. Do you mean that you asked and they said no? If so did they say why?


Originally posted by theotherjohn

every law abiding citizen is able to carry a gun

Not in Jersey. Heck here even to get a purchase permit is a pain and to get a concealed carry permit is extremely rare.

[theotherjohn]

<every law abiding citizen is able to carry a gun>

thanks for pointing out that I dont know what the hell I am talking about

I forgot I am grandfathered in most instances with my gun permit and only visit cities that are unable to understand this even though it is quite clear

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

I only wish that was true.

[Artha]

the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

[Betheny]

Mace is illegal in Minnesota, but pepper spray is not, if I recall. The only real problem I have is when I go outside to smoke or do outside duties. And even when I'm alone, I'm expected to do such things.

A friend suggested the martial arts as a good means of self defense (if only in confidence.) Any suggestions on what to look into?

[theotherjohn]

Originally posted by Maimara
Any suggestions on what to look into?

a new job

[Betheny]

Heh, with the job market being like it is... I doubt I could find something that pays and will give me the time off I need. Maybe after the first of the year.

well it will take longer than that to learn a any fighting form if you want to do something that is enjoyable and there is a teacher in your area i would suggest kung fu

[Artha]

A friend suggested the martial arts as a good means of self defense (if only in confidence.) Any suggestions on what to look into?

Aikido might work. It's basically taking someone down/getting them off you while doing the least amount of damage.

[Myshel]

Unfortunately working as a bartender you usually get the worse types. I was a bartender years ago and it happened on a regular basis. Getting hit on was part of the job, and we exploited it to get great tips, without stepping over the line. Same with waitresses. I never worked in a place where we didn't have a burly guy somewhere to take out the trouble makers and a huge heavy stick under the bar. I knew going into the job it was one of the tricks of the trade, flirt with the customers get their money and sweetly say good night, see you tomorrow.
Best advice I ever got when I got into it was, from a waitress there, she said you don't work for the bar you work for the customer. Thats your meal ticket.
Did I get harrassed? Yes, but I just took it as part of the job and moved on, because there is always a new ass to deal with tomorrow.

[Weedmage Princess]

Artha you are NO FUN!! If they're attacking you, you WANT to do damage!! Let their hospitalization, maiming and feedings through a tube be a painful reminder to them next time they decide to do something as out of line as that!

I heard Jiu Jitsu is along those lines. A few moves and you can have someone on the ground, screaming in pain..I have no clue as to how long it takes to learn it or whatever though.

[GSLeloo]

Maimara, I'd say take kickboxing and self-defense classes at your local gym or usually the high schools have it as night school for adult classes and if he ever does that to you again, kick him where it hurts, with force.

[Skirmisher]

Somebody's been riling Leloo up lately.:smilegrin:

[GSLeloo]

Actually other than like one person that was from past events, no one really bothers me where I work (cashier at a grocery store). We have tons of people everywhere, half of the night shift are guys and one of our bosses is over my house like every other night to hang out with my brother so I feel pretty safe. There's only one guy that freaks me out and (as bad as this is to say) he is mentally retarded but.... he's like 40 and he stares at the girls. He freaks out me and this girl Erin because of the way he stares at you... creapy. Now that guy I couldn't overpower cause he's big.

[Miss X]

Definitely do self defence classes. I did some while I was at school because in the UK we aren’t even allowed to carry a penknife, let alone pepper spray or a gun.
I did maybe 20 weeks of classes and I think I remember enough to feel a bit safer, but at the end of the day if your small like me you don’t have much chance against someone who’s bigger and stronger. Another thing we got told is if someone attacks you shout fire because it’s likely to draw more attention than shouting help.

I remember this one time when I was working at a chemist, in the town I live in we have a lot of refugees from Afghanistan and Bosnia and some of them were very aggressive. This one guy would come in to the store all the time asking me for help, and one day he followed me after work and cornered me, started groping me etc. He kept asking me to come back to the hostel he was staying at, saying I would make a good wife etc. I was shitting myself obviously but luckily some guy saw me struggling and got rid of the scary dude.

As a women, you always have to deal with the fact that a lot of men are physically stronger than you, just do what ever you think is necessary to protect yourself hon. Call the police the second you feel like you are in danger, intuition is usually quite reliable and if you feel uncomfortable in a situation there is usually a reason for it.
Hope that helps some.
Vx

[Betheny]

I'm assuming... uh, a chemist isl ike a p harmacist or something?

[Myshel]

My brother who was a ex marine gave me this advice once, I've used it and it works big time.
If ever attacked reach, grab their balls and twist hard.. it will bring them to their knees, incapacitates them long enough to get away or keep them there until someone comes along, just don't let go until your ready to run.

Myshel
edited because to many "and" bothered me.

[Edited on 11-8-2003 by Myshel]

[Miss X]

Originally posted by Maimara
I'm assuming... uh, a chemist isl ike a p harmacist or something?

Yup, a pharmacy. :grin:

[Betheny]

Wow, my t yping goes to shit when it's 10 degrees outside.

[Caiylania]

Just because I got it in an e-mail and it seems along the same lines.... Women self-defense of another kind:

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide to New Orleans:
If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM.
Toss it away from you... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car:
Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.
The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!
The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go.
AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

A) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.

B) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

C) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.
(And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs.(Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control,
ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic:
STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

Another Safety Point Fwd: Crying Baby

Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over.

The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on! and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby.


My typing is horrible when my hands are cold, too.

[peam]

A crying baby outside my door would scare the shit out of me.

heh how do you stop a baby from crying..... ::ducks:: I wont finish that joke

[Caiylania]

Originally posted by The Edine
heh how do you stop a baby from crying..... ::ducks:: I wont finish that joke


I finally left that thread alone, and that's the second baiting today. Please stop.

[GSLeloo]

I don't get how that was baiting.... I know I'm dense but um... anyone wanna tell me?

aww come on ::pouts:: meh people here give me a hard time non stop yet i do i and i get sniped at ::mutters::

[Caiylania]

In the short jokes thread some members were posting up in my opinion, disgusting jokes about raping kids and dead babies. It got out of hand on both sides, me yelling at them, and them posting worse jokes to rile me or in one case joking about killing me.

Knowing how much those jokes bothered me, this is the second post referring to that I've read.


Edited to get back on topic: Learning Martial Arts enough to defend yourself can take awhile, so don't feel bad about calling the police if you have to. You might want to give up the smoke breaks and stay inside where you are safer.

[Edited on 11-8-2003 by Caiylania]

[Back]

Maim, get yourself a big ass can of pepper spray. Seriously. If thats not allowed, make your own spray bottle full of bleach or better yet some of that 99¢ dye in the grocery store.

Staying within camera view makes a lot of sense also.

You shouldn't have to put up with that shit. Where's the crowbar??

[Caiylania]

Originally posted by The Edine
aww come on ::pouts:: meh people here give me a hard time non stop yet i do i and i get sniped at ::mutters::


LoL Pick on me about anything else... I just ask that that topic be left alone. At least it seems you didn't mean it to be cruel.

[Soulpieced]

Definitely a cop situation they are preventing you from doing your job.

[Artha]

You could also try getting an ASP.

http://bigbreak.8k.com/tao/police%20baton.jpg

One shot to the kneecap, and the guy will bother you no more.

[Caiylania]

You go Artha! ROFL

I want one of those.

[Edited on 11-8-2003 by Caiylania]

I once dressed up in a dress for spirit week at school. After having been physically assaulted in the above mentioned manner by several visually offensive chicks, i can say i know how a chick feels and they have my utmost sympathy.

thoes are nice ::points under the front seat of his car::

Originally posted by Artha
Obviously, you need more pepper spray.

Screw guns, there's a chance you won't kill them and they'll just sue you. Pepper spray though...pain-tastic.


Pepper spray is for sissies. It won't even effect me ive been exposed to CS so many times. Everytime we go to the Gas chamber i can stand in there longer than anymore and usually end up doing some type of calisthentic to show off.

[HarmNone]

I agree with those who have said to call the police when someone is in the store (or outside, for that matter) and harassing or threatening you. You have a right to be safe in your workplace, and it is the job of the police force to see that you are.

There is nothing cowardly about protecting your life.

HarmNone

[Caiylania]

Originally by RangerD1
Pepper spray is for sissies. It won't even effect me ive been exposed to CS so many times. Everytime we go to the Gas chamber i can stand in there longer than anymore and usually end up doing some type of calisthentic to show off.


He's right. A lot of people are not effected enough by pepper spray for it to help out much. But it can't hurt to try if that's all you have. Google legal self defense products for women. There are a lot out there.

[Edited on 11-8-2003 by Caiylania]

Originally posted by The Edine
in texas sure its easy to have a concealed carry permit…. In Illinois good luck on that… In Chicago it’s illegal


Theres a good reason for that. Probaly being the fact that Chicago was the home to the most rapid increase in murders in a short period of time in the history of the US. Something like 500% raise of the previous year's murder rate by february during the early 90's. (Home sweet home)

I see theres alot of posts i want to respond to in this thread involving attackers and defense i have to get going but i'll try later.

Originally posted by Artha

A friend suggested the martial arts as a good means of self defense (if only in confidence.) Any suggestions on what to look into?

Aikido might work. It's basically taking someone down/getting them off you while doing the least amount of damage.


www.directmind.com

[EmpressBtch]

Originally posted by RangerD1


Pepper spray is for sissies. It won't even effect me ive been exposed to CS so many times. Everytime we go to the Gas chamber i can stand in there longer than anymore and usually end up doing some type of calisthentic to show off.


Does this mean you flap your arms and say 'I'm a bird' many more times than the other people you're in there with?
Okay not to get too far off topic with that one...I've seen my other half demonstrate how he had to 'be a bird' and I just about lost it, I laughed so hard. Then again he went through it 14 years ago.


Maimara...when I was bartending our manager would make us leave in a group or have someone walk us out after we closed. Do they have a policy like that where you're working? My dad's a retired police officer and told me that if I get into trouble to yell "fire" above anything else....for some reason it works better than "help" or "rape". Something for you to keep in mind if you're going to start taking a self-defense class.

[Tendarian]

Id carry pepper spray even if it was illegal. Drunken morons are the worst and one of the reasons i dont drink (not because i turn into a lecherous moron but being around drunk people isnt fun to me) Id also call the cops and i bet after a few are arrested you'll get to be known as "that bitch" and most wont come back.

[Hulkein]

I don't really have any expertise in the area, but one thing I could suggest against is getting something like an ASP or something that will only piss the guy off. Seriously, no offense but most women swinging one of them is just a jab to the nose away from me taking it, or just grabbing it in mid-swing. Same with most people, espicially drunks who won't feel it right away, lol.

Get mace/pepper spray, stun gun, or real gun. Something that will knock them down long enough to call the cops. Good luck.

[Skirmisher]

Originally posted by Artha
You could also try getting an ASP.

http://bigbreak.8k.com/tao/police%20baton.jpg

One shot to the kneecap, and the guy will bother you no more.

Holy Tanya Harding flashback batman!

[Miss X]

Originally posted by Hulkein
I don't really have any expertise in the area, but one thing I could suggest against is getting something like an ASP or something that will only piss the guy off. Seriously, no offense but most women swinging one of them is just a jab to the nose away from me taking it, or just grabbing it in mid-swing. Same with most people, espicially drunks who won't feel it right away, lol.

Get mace/pepper spray, stun gun, or real gun. Something that will knock them down long enough to call the cops. Good luck.

Oh of course... because there's no way a lowly women could do any damage to a man ever. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by EmpressBtch

Originally posted by RangerD1


Pepper spray is for sissies. It won't even effect me ive been exposed to CS so many times. Everytime we go to the Gas chamber i can stand in there longer than anymore and usually end up doing some type of calisthentic to show off.


Does this mean you flap your arms and say 'I'm a bird' many more times than the other people you're in there with?
Okay not to get too far off topic with that one...I've seen my other half demonstrate how he had to 'be a bird' and I just about lost it, I laughed so hard. Then again he went through it 14 years ago.


Maimara...when I was bartending our manager would make us leave in a group or have someone walk us out after we closed. Do they have a policy like that where you're working? My dad's a retired police officer and told me that if I get into trouble to yell "fire" above anything else....for some reason it works better than "help" or "rape". Something for you to keep in mind if you're going to start taking a self-defense class.

You flap your arms to keep you moving and so you don't rub the stuff deeper into your eyes. I personally don't do it, because i'm not a sissy.

As for Myshel's comments about grabbing somebodies balls. Thats a good idea but i hope you can keep a good grip after i punch you in the face. If i was an attacker it would be the first thing i'd expect.

[Hulkein]

No, but in most cases, a woman with no weapon or fighting training, and not in good shape, swinging a club like in the picture at a man will lose. It's not a macho thing at all, it's just fact.

Edit- Let me clarify a few things so the rest of the women here don't yell. By good shape I mean can swing that thing with enough club speed to do any real damage, and then continue to move around the person as he's trying to tackle you. A sitting target with a club isn't hard to take down, anyone who wrestled knows how easy it is. My point is, why take the chance and use a fucking club that can easilly be ripped from your hands when one touch with a stun gun will drop the person long enough for you to stomp his throat?

[Edited on 11-8-2003 by Hulkein]

Yea i'd go with the stun gun. Those things suck.

[Bestatte]

First of all: WTF are you doing smoking outside at a gas station? Stop smoking outside. If you're not allowed to smoke inside, wait til your shift is over and live without the smokes during your shift. That's just crazy, lady. A stray ember carrying over the wind while someone is gassing up and you won't be needing to worry about where you'll work tomorrow.

I worked in a gas station where we were allowed to smoke in the back room, but not in the public area. Seemed to be a good idea at the time, but the building was such that we could open the back door which led to the owner's back yard, which was fenced in, so very safe and secure.

If not, I would've just had the jitters for a few hours and smoked like a bandit after work.

In the meantime, bear this in mind for self-defense:

What goes on INSIDE the gas station building is subject to the private property rules. What goes on OUTSIDE the building is not.

You can defend the property - inside the building, by keeping a baseball bat behind the counter. If someone tries to mess with you, you -do- have the right to hit the fucker over the head.

Once you are outside that building, all bets are off and you'd be arrested for assault, even if the guy had his hands all over you before you took the bat to his head.

I know this from experience. You also have the right to lock the doors to the building and refuse to let anyone in if there's someone out there harrassing you. You also have the -responsibility- to call the police if you're being harrassed.

Remember you are responsible for everything that goes on at the gas station, in or outside, when your boss isn't there. That includes the safety of -his- employees, which is -his- investment. You are an investment in the success of his business, and he has the right to expect that you will do whatever is necessary, in a legal manner, to protect that investment.

Carry one of those little spray cans of noise. You can buy them in a bunch of places, and a push on the button sounds like a bullhorn. It is not mace or pepper spray, it's just loud as shit and will alert anyone within 2 blocks that something's going on. It'll also make the assailant temporarily deaf and can, if it's close enough, puncture his eardrums. It is also legal to buy, carry, and use.

Why not just get a safety whistle?

[Edited on 11-8-2003 by RangerD1]

[Hulkein]

LOL, I used to smoke out front all the time, 20 feet away from the pumps.. Embers don't carry that far moe.

Originally posted by RangerD1

Originally posted by The Edine
in texas sure its easy to have a concealed carry permit…. In Illinois good luck on that… In Chicago it’s illegal


Theres a good reason for that. Probaly being the fact that Chicago was the home to the most rapid increase in murders in a short period of time in the history of the US. Something like 500% raise of the previous year's murder rate by february during the early 90's. (Home sweet home)

I see theres alot of posts i want to respond to in this thread involving attackers and defense i have to get going but i'll try later.

Heh no thats because Daily is the liberal equivlent to a cockfuck and people are to stupid to understand that murders are most often commited by UNregisterd firearms

[Betheny]

Originally posted by Backlash
Maim, where's the crowbar??

Like I could actually weild a crowbar. My arms would break or something. :(

[Myshel]

Originally posted by RangerD1

As for Myshel's comments about grabbing somebodies balls. Thats a good idea but i hope you can keep a good grip after i punch you in the face. If i was an attacker it would be the first thing i'd expect.

I'm 5'6 and the guy was 6'3 and outweighed me by 100lbs. When I grabbed his balls and twisted as hard as I could he went to his knee's and screamed. He was paralyzed with pain. He begged me to let go when he tried to grab my arm I twisted harder. When I ran he lay on the ground and was still there when I came back with the bouncer. The cops had to help him into the police car, so I stand by my advice.
Myshel

[Betheny]

Originally posted by Tendarian
Id carry pepper spray even if it was illegal. Drunken morons are the worst and one of the reasons i dont drink (not because i turn into a lecherous moron but being around drunk people isnt fun to me) Id also call the cops and i bet after a few are arrested you'll get to be known as "that bitch" and most wont come back.

It's not illegal, it's just against 'store policy' to have that stuff on your person when you're on the property. But frankly, I don't care at this point. That's a retarded ass policy made by some old man that 'heard about' a lawsuit because some old cranky woman that sprayed a customer with pepper spray for 'no reason'.

[Back]

Originally posted by Hulkein
LOL, I used to smoke out front all the time, 20 feet away from the pumps.. Embers don't carry that far moe.

Out in Texas, I watched this guy with a pickup gas up his truck with the engine running and a lit cig dangling from his lips. How much you want to bet he dies from some uneccessary risk.

Maim, really, get yourself SOMETHING, anything. A bottle of Windex set on stream, a can of Raid and a lighter, a mug of steaming hot coffee, anything. Guys are pigs. I know. I am one. I wouldn't do anything like that, but I've seen it too often, heard guys tell stories, heard chicks tell stories. Its really a damn shame how many women I've met who've been in rape situations.

[Edited on 11-9-2003 by Backlash]

[Edited on 11-9-2003 by Backlash]

[Betheny]

Half the problem is that I go to the other side of the building, away from the gas pumps. And as much as I would love to quit smoking, if I didn't have something ot relieve the stress of the freaks I have to deal with, I'd probably attack someone hamster-style. Oh yeah.

[Hulkein]

Just smoke in the garage bays where the mechanics work.. if the gas station has them.

[Betheny]

It doesn't. I guess I could park right in front of the doors and just sit in my car.

[Betheny]

My boss would freak. I think I'm going to use this as a good excuse to quit smoking. Hopefully the other smokers at work will understand.

That and it's -23984729357 degrees here...

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Maimara
That and it's -23984729357 degrees here...

Fahrenheit or Celsius?

[Betheny]

It's actually 22 degrees, but it feels like 13. That'll go down b 6 AM.

[Savanae]

I worked nights at a gas station when I was 22. I had similar problems. If it was just casual flirtation I would joke with the person about it but I had very similar solisitation requests. I started keeping a notebook and pen with me and when I would get said request I would pull it out and ask the person for their full name adress and phone #. Nine times out of ten I got most of the adress written down before they asked me why I wanted it. My responce, 'The police will want this for when I call them.' Most left skidmarks and the one that didn't was arested.

[Skirmisher]

Well screw the store policies.

Get a pepper spray, a big police type model. The small ones most places sell shoot out a small stream in a line like a fantastik bottle or something. Thats too hard to use. The ones the police use send out a nice cone that nails the suckers nicely.

I speak with some very limited experience having had a mother who made us practice using the pepper spray canisters out back to see how they work.

[Bestatte]

That's an awesome idea Savanae! Where I worked, it was in a busy commercial area in the suburbs, in walking distance to the slums. We had crackheads and heroin addicts and "illy freaks" and gang members hanging out all the time. We also had a cop hang out in the parking lot most of the time too. But when he wasn't around, the "usual" freaks were like this bizarre protection group for me.

My advice..take advantage of the locals. Get to know them by name, find out what they do when they're not buying gas or cigs or whatever from your shop. Make friends with your neighbors, in other words. Even the junkies can be your best source of protection.

And when all else fails, use a baseball bat, and don't EVER feel guilty if you have to lock yourself inside the building and shut down the pumps.