Hey guys. I normally don't post here (on The Lounge) but I want to share something with you guys.

 

I live in Rio, where I have been most of my life. I know most people think of it as a really dangerous city. I've lived here most of my life, taking public transportation, using my iPhone in the street, and I've been in any kind of danger at all. That changed last week.

 

I work in a small street paralel to one of the biggest avenues in the city. I have to cross that avenue to take bus home. And last week (friday), after seeing a group of dodgy teenagers (I'd say 17-19) two days before, I decided to make that walk with a few coworkers when we leave work at 19h. Sure enough, last Friday, we were mugged. There were three of us, and three of them. They tried taking our stuff but we wouldn't let them. They ended up running away with nothing.

 

I got scared. Because I had seen 10 of them in that area before - what if they came back in a larger group? What if I were alone?

 

Last night (thursday night) I got a ride home. But when those friends of mine - who were with me when we first got mugged - were leaving the building (in the small street we work on, before reaching the large avenue) they saw 7 boys, who then realised it was them, and chased after my friends. They ran until they found a large group of people waiting for a bus and they (the muggers) left. So nothing happened to my friends - just the terrible experience.

 

Now I'm really worried. They know the exact building were we work. We called the police, but they can walk us to the bus stop every night. What about when we arrive in the morning? Or when we leave for lunch in the afternoon? I'm scared and I don't there's anything I can do. Except not going to work at all, which I don't think it's a very realistic option.

 

Sorry. I just had to talk to someone.

What scares me is that they know what we look like, they know where we work, they know what time we leave, and they might as well know where we take the bus.

My dad is driving to and from work today. But that can't be permanent. He can't drive me there forever.

Do they carry any weapons at all?

I think you're doing the right thing by sticking to a group. Definitely do not leave the building unless you are with someone.

 

I'm not a criminologist but I'm guessing these guys are tormenting you because you didn't give them what they wanted. I don't think that because of this that they will kill you or anything that extreme unless you gave them a serious reason to go to such extreme lengths, but then again this is a different culture so it could be different.

 

I suggest that if the situation continues or gets any worse that you should seriously consider getting a new job.

Sometimes when I'm in that situation, I limit my vision to just me and 'the attackor'.

It's a natural instinct to have a sort of tunnel vision, where avoiding them is the only way to deal with it without asking for help. My advice to you is don't give them that power, the power of your fear and attention.

 

Alert your employers about the situation, and ask help from anyone you think can help you.

Your employers have to be aware of factors within the environment that may be harmful towards you. They can't ignore you, it's part of the fundamental law of employment.

Don't believe me? It's the whole basis of Occupational Health and Safety.

Employers can get in serious trouble for not being aware of workplace health and safety risks.

 

Basically, the more you ask for help the safer you will be.

 

Hope those boneheads leave you alone.

Thanks guys.

 

I didn't see any weapons in the attack last week. Last night, when my friends ran from them, they said one of the muggers had a backpack - who knows they had in it.

 

My fear now is not getting robbed. If they get to me, I'll "happily" hand them everything I own. My fear is that, like Empily said, they got their pride hurt from not getting anything from me the first time. So who knows what they want now.

 

I've alerted my employers, who then called the police. But there's only so much they can do. I wanted to stay at home today (it's a digital agency - everything we do here we can do from home and chat via skype), but they said it was preposterous - which I didn't think it was. They are basically saying "you live in a big city. you'll have to deal with this".

 

I wasn't in love with them before. Now I'm seriously considering getting a new job. :(

How tied down are you to your job? Seeing how this seems to happen often, and your life and property are in constant danger, then the obvious advice is to leave and apply for a position in a better part of town. I know it's not always that simple, but I would seriously consider it.

something like this happened to a friend of mine about a week ago....since they know what you look like i think that you can get some respite by changing your appearance, like get a new haircut, disguise yourself or something and avoid that area! it worked for my friend...

no! that would seem to send a message of surrender.

the fuck is this? a war?

^That.

 

Don't be idiotic, it's about being reasonable, if you think that you face clear danger and you have the option of backing down/running for help, don't ever feel like you shouldn't "back down", but also weigh up the possibility that it might not be as dangerous as you think. I'm not sure what to advise because I don't know the severity of the situation but it depends on what you feel and to act sensibly.

 

Don't listen to that idiot.

Stay calm and try to avoid taking the bus until you feel confident enough. If they, or any other guys, try to mug you just let them take your things, we never know what they have on their pockets, your life is more important.

 

PS: And that's what I hate about my country.