STOP WEARING HEADPHONES IN STUPID SITUATIONS!

I have a big problem with people wearing headphones whilst on the move. Headphones are a really bad idea in my opinion because they reduce a lot of awareness to situations and therefore reduce common sense.

I often make a point to people if they are wearing headphones to get as close to them as possible then tap them on the shoulder to show how much their awareness is reduced.

It is dangerous to wear them whilst riding a bike because you may get hit by a car you didn't hear so why would it be any different that you may get mugged by someone you didn't hear whilst jogging/walking around.

This is common sense advice but so many of my friends keep wearing headphones and are totally oblivios to the situations (and they refuse to listen to me because they are not martial artists).

Totally agree with you here Tony. The only place if you working out is like a gym or something like that.

But its not just ear phones that get me - even driving home after a night out you see people walking through parks by themselves etc.

I don't wear headphones when walking about but i do wear them when biking to work (Along the Canal and usually listening to Audio books so i can still hear bells and there are no cars) and when jogging. I only jog in populated places and during the day so i never feel i'm somewhere i can get jumped.

I do agree that walking around at night with headphones on is just stupid

I don't often but occasionally when I can't sleep or have to much energy I go out for a long walk with some headphones in.

I treat it as training and just keep looking around and make sure I take in everything!

I look like the most shifty person ever and one day it will probably get me arrested...

It's only a liability if it is too loud and you don't have good spatial awareness. That said, you would be amazed with what you hear when you have headphones in, with no music playing, and people think you can't hear them.

To Samael: Thats the best way of looking at it. If you treat everything in life as some form of training, you learn a hell of a lot more then if you don't. And you still enjoy life.

I agree, with you.

I myself am guilty of using headphones, i will try harder to stop doing so.

Shadow wrote:
That said, you would be amazed with what you hear when you have headphones in, with no music playing, and people think you can't hear them.


I'm glad I'm not the only one to do that...

Awareness is the main thing and being switched on. I often work from work to where we train with my ipod on, however, I try to make sure that I'm aware of my surroundings and myself.

In general, I tell people to be aware of when they are using their mobile in public, listening to music, visibly carrying something of monetary value. This doesn't mean being paranoid, but being aware of whether they look like a victim.

I suggest to my students to look around when they are in the city centre or in the street and think about if they were a mugger, who would they attack? Then think about why they picked that person.

As far as awareness of yourself, are you able to use your martial arts skills given what you are wearing? I'm not saying you should wear a gi (or 80's action pants, anyone remember them?), but be aware that you may not be able to kick, knee or run in what you're wearing. If you're wearing a coat, does it constrict your striking ability? I get our guys to hit with coats on occassionally to think about this.

Also if you're carrying a bag, do you think about how you're holding it? If I've got a holdall, I usually carry it in my left hand so my right hand is free to strike. When I wear my rucksack, I have it on both shoulders, so both hands are free. Again I get my students to do strikes on pads when holding their bags to see how they would react and to suggest for themselves what is best for them, either holding differently or drop it, etc.

Also if you're carrying a bag, do you think about how you're holding it? If I've got a holdall, I usually carry it in my left hand so my right hand is free to strike. When I wear my rucksack, I have it on both shoulders, so both hands are free. Again I get my students to do strikes on pads when holding their bags to see how they would react and to suggest for themselves what is best for them, either holding differently or drop it, etc.


HAHA I do the same with mine unless its heavy in which case I keep it on one shoulder strap as I dont want to get unbalanced with a big sack on my back!

Its funny how you actually do these things and until you see it down in a forum you dont actually realise on a consious level your doing it.

Anyway else do things like this?

I always carry my backpack on both shoulders so i have both hand free. Just seem natural now.

I also find i feel very restricted whilst wearing my big overcoat in wet weather. Much prefer my lightweight jacket when possible.

I have worn head phones walking about london, on trains, But i don't have it mega loud and I usually wear only one ear... Unless a good song comes on then I put both in. But not to say it wont happen but the likely hood of it happening is slim, and if you don't act like a victim, you won't be a victim.
If riding a bike then wear one ear phone...

I don't think its all that bad as some people with no headphones at all aren't that aware of their surroundings. When driving so many people do dumb manoeuvres without even looking, then they get angry when you toot them even though they were the ones cutting you up!! You look at people and they look blank, sometimes you could be waving someone on and they are looking at you but don't see you!!

Humans are asleep most of their lives I don't think headphones makes much difference if you are an alert person then you will be aware of your surroundings always. Deaf people don't use their hearing and you don't tell them not to ride a bike...

i am guilty on all counts here
i always wear headphones and i make sure they are the ones which dont let any noise in so all i can hear when im walking to town is my music, to be honest ive never felt that vulnerable as i know it is very easy to remove them if anything occurs and if someone is going to mug me i would probably see them before i would hear them anyway.

however i dont tend to wear them at night if im walking home and its dark, because thats when you cant rely entirely on your vision.

this reminds me of a thread that was going a bit ago about make shift weapons, i have my key on a lanyard and i know that when swung it can easily cut through flesh (as i found out when i was bored and was swinging it around too near to my face) i always have it in my back pocket where it is easy to reach just in case