Switched from walking with my head down to scanning people's hands and it saved me twice

I used to keep my eyes on the sidewalk avoiding eye contact in busy areas downtown. Now I glance at what people are carrying or doing with their hands, spotted a guy pulling a knife from his jacket pocket at a bus stop in Portland last summer and crossed the street before he even knew I saw him. Anyone else adjust your situational awareness after a specific close call?

2 comments

2 Comments

richardk2615d agoTop Commenter

Spotted a guy pulling a knife from his jacket pocket" is exactly the kind of thing that changes how you see the world forever. It's not just about hands though, it's about noticing the whole pattern of what people's bodies are doing. Once you start looking, you realize how many people are completely checked out on their phones, walking around with zero awareness of anything. The guy with the knife probably thought no one was watching because everyone had their heads down. It's like people forget that stores, parking lots, and bus stops are basically open-air stages for anyone paying attention. The real trick is learning to look without staring, just a quick scan that becomes second nature so you don't look paranoid.

patricia_hayes15d ago

oh man, richardk26 hit the nail on the head with that one. i actually read a study or something a while back about how most people in public spaces are so zoned into their screens that they miss like 80 percent of what's going on around them. it's wild when you think about it, like those people are basically walking targets. the trick with the quick scan thing is real, i try to do it without looking like a weirdo, just a fast look around every few seconds. it's scary how many of us just trust that nothing bad will happen.