Do you feel more self-protective these days than years ago?

Yes, I'm so much more self-protective. That's why I don't like driving, I don't mind MY driving, but I want to protect myself from all the other drivers.

And self-protection is why I use a hiking stick, I should be just fine without it, but you can't trust those sneaky tree roots.

If only I would self-protect from holiday treats, sighhhh
 
We live in an area where assaults, muggings, pickpocketing, and home invasions are nearly unheard of. Still, theft of possessions from home property (outside of the house) is on the rise, and even more so is theft from cars if unlocked when parked in town.

Like many others who post here on SF, we're ever vigilant about phone and email scams.
 
After moving to this rural area with Meth production and harassment from across the road I am way more self protective than I used to be. My car is always locked, my house is always locked (even when I am just out mowing or working in the yard) and I always have some form of protection with me when I am outside. I also added the fence and the security cameras, neither of which was on my to do list when I first moved here.
 
Yes. Protective is not quite right. Self interest has increased with age. The ailments that come with old age has increased thus my HAVING to pay attention to how I am feeling. I felt fine for 55 years...I didn't think about myself much. The world has always been more interesting than me. :)
 
In some ways I've become more protective, I'm trying not to do everything all the time like the first few years of retirement. However I also have taken up 2 hobbies recently that I've been reluctant to participate in for years, motorcycling and owning a pistol.

I've put off motorcycling since I was a kid. Despite being very impulsive and very immature I was smart enough to know I would have died had I ridden. Pistols have been something I became interested in 20 years or so, but in lower NYS the hassle of obtaining a permit was monumental. Then when I got to Idaho I didn't really see the need for it, but visiting Yellowstone these last few years has prompted me to get my first one. I am tired of carrying a shotgun for grizzly bear protection hence the pistol acquisition.

Motorcycling is dangerous, but I've the time and money to buy the best protective gear, including an air bag vest and invest in the best available training to mitigate the risk. My big bike also has fancy electronic stuff intended to cover for the rider's mistakes.

I'll get as much instruction on the pistol as possible, as well as practice. I think my concealed weapons permit is at the post office, and I'll be getting an enhanced version as soon as I can complete the training. And I won't be carrying it everyday, just to practice and at Yellowstone.

Although I'm a competent skier I'm always looking for new, harder terrain to test my skills and have taken lessons over the past 6 years to improve my skills. Of course fitness is very important for both skiing and motorcycling so I'm trying all the way around to be prepared to meet these new challenges.

I'm a little regretful for never having learned how to surf, being a beach kid, spear fisherman, and ocean swimmer so that's prompted me to get on to these new hobbies.
 
Last edited:
When driving, definitely. I went to pick up hubs at the airport late this afternoon. I rarely drive on the freeway these days and traffic was horrible. I drove home in the dark, which is something I haven't done in years... much less on a freeway.

There was a young lady in a little rattle-trap who had to be doing 90 on the freeway. I almost moved over a lane but I saw her coming up so fast I immediately moved back over. When she passed she was screaming into her phone, holding it up in front of her. She did the same to a guy in a Corvette and he chased her down, tailgated her and tried to cut her off. I'll stay in my 10-mile bubble when driving, thanks. :oops:

Re: personal safety, I've always been cautious so no more so now.
 
Shields Up! Arm Phasers!

After being betrayed and manipulated so many times, I am not naive anymore.

You are not being paranoid if they really are out to get you :)

Plus cabinets, chair legs, door frames, morons on the highway, are all eager to bruise me up and send me to the hospital.
 
As I'm losing my hearing, I now find that crossing the road is something I actually have to think about before I do it. So now I carefully look both ways before stepping off the kerb, and continue to look both ways as I cross, only returning to looking where I'm going once on the other pavement (sidewalk).

I also now look out of the window first before stepping outside the door, just in case the weather is on the turn. After all, I don't want to go out and get caught in a downpour.

Such is the cost of aging!
 
Not really. I have always watched out for myself and been aware of my surroundings, which is huge, especially when in unfamiliar places. When I left the military, I almost at once felt a sense of being unprotected, but it only lasted a short time. After being discharged, I moved to Northern Virginia, which is very overcrowded due to being next door to D.C. I do carry a CW weapon leaving my home.

I had a certain sense of heightened awareness for at least the first several months. I bought a home in a gated community, which was planned. We had 24-hour security there, mainly because some of our residents were members of Congress. I felt safe living there for the 6+ years I lived there. After I moved here in Florida, I found a very similar situation. I like it here. Very friendly and I can feel everyone here is comfortable and feeling safe also. I still carry a CW when I leave my home.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top