I just got robbed

[Shibumi]

Husar, you met a desperate person and got out of the situation unharmed. Whatever anyone else have said, bear that in mind. That is all that matters.

With this said, Louis is right about the "push around" thing. People like these are like hyenas, they sense weakness. Grow some balls next time (I mean this in the nicest possible way), and the situation will not escalate, as there will be easier victims.

However, lessons like that will only come with experience, good for you that you got that experience so cheap - me it cost a whole lot more. Also bear that in mind!

[Husar]

Well, I did grow balls once it became obvious that he was exploiting me, and when he noticed that I wouldn't just let him walk away with my phone, he drew the needle...at which point there wasn't much I could do, following him while calling the police would be fun, with a cellphone, which I didn't have.
Again, after he took the phone from my hands, nothing was obvious, he could have sued me for assault had I done much, or poked me with the needle right away...
Or he could have come to my door and forced me into my home with his needle and robbed me there, one reason I decided whatever he wanted would be better dealt with right there on the street instead of in my personal comfort zone.
Well, I was also tired and hungry, so in general I would defend my stupidity with this:

[Fragony]

If someone holds a needle I'll give him everything he wants, phone gone too bad

[Husar]

Duh, yeah, UPDATE:

So today I went to work, talked to colleagues, calmed down a bit.
Then I went to my provider and they had a lot of understanding, tried to call a friend who works for Apple even to get it locked, but apparently not much can be done about remotely blocking it or so (the SIM is already locked). Then they let me call the insurance from the shop so I wouldn't have to pay the hotline fee myself etc.
The insurance needs some things from me of course, including the police report about the complaint (if that's the right word?) I filed with the police.
So I went to the police and talked to a really nice officer who also went a bit above his duty to talk to me(also said the criminal police may want to talk to me again to get a better description of what happened, so it's not like they do nothing it seems), afterwards I went shopping and headed into the subway to get home.

Now I've asked myself whether I'd actually notice the guy if I ever saw him again, but the question solved itself when I looked towards the other door, and, believe it or not, there he was, entering the same subway wagon! My heart was pumping really fast and he seemed to notice me as well, I pretended not to have seen him best as I could and he sat down trying not to get noticed by me.
I couldn't call the police as I obviously don't have a cellphone, thought about asking someone but then there could have been a panic or an escalation had he noticed so I slipped out at the next station and ran(walked fast) back to the police station to tell them everything.
So now they're going to get the subway camera footage and will probably notify me to come look at it.

Of course now I took a somewhat different way home which may have been a bit much but duuurn, I don't really want to get close and personal with him again, especially not if he has a needle again (yes, yes, I'd beat him up if he doesn't, but last time he did).

Calming down again now, this time it's not as bad but it doesn't look like he left the area or anything.

[Strike For The South]

You should've broken his neck

[Beskar]

Husar, don't clench your rectum muscles over him, he isn't worth it.

[Louis VI the Fat]

For God's sake, man up. Still this rubbish? A two bit punk making you run, making you take a different route home. You needed to to kick him in the face, confront him, make a scene, have everybody else call the police, take pictures and video of him, whatever. You look clean cut and he looks like a junk, right?

You can't keep running all of your life. Take a stand and fight mate. The idea was for you to find him, remember? Why did you not carry a knife with you today? When you knew there was a good odds of you seeing him again? He is supposed to be running scared of you from now on, not the other way round.

At this rate, if I were this junk, I'd have you pay me a tenner every day just so you can sit in the same train as me.

Sorry, I don't want to sound all E-tough and everything, but come on eh? Don't be too scared. The guy is a junk, he is scared of the police, and of other people.

[Strike For The South]

For God's sake, man up. Still this rubbish? A two bit punk making you run, making you take a different route home. You needed to to kick him in the face, confront him, make a scene, have everybody else call the police, take pictures and video of him, whatever. You look clean cut and he looks like a junk, right?

You can't keep running all of your life. Take a stand and fight mate. The idea was for you to find him, remember? Why did you not carry a knife with you today? When you knew there was a good odds of you seeing him again? He is supposed to be running scared of you from now on, not the other way round.

At this rate, if I were this junk, I'd have you pay me a tenner every day just so you can sit in the same train as me.

Sorry, I don't want to sound all E-tough and everything, but come on eh? Don't be too scared. The guy is a junk, he is scared of the police, and of other people.

No don't carry a knife, either keep it with your fists or shoot the guy.

Serioulsy man you should've roughed him up a bit, people do not like getting hit in the face

[Vladimir]

This is just wrong. Befriend him, tell him you understand, tell him that God has a plan for him...then tell them that you booked an appointment before sending him to it.

[Strike For The South]

This is just wrong. Befriend him, tell him you understand, tell him that God has a plan for him...then tell them that you booked an appointment before sending him to it.

"YOU GO TO HELL"

"You first"

[Husar]

For God's sake, man up. Still this rubbish? A two bit punk making you run, making you take a different route home. You needed to to kick him in the face, confront him, make a scene, have everybody else call the police, take pictures and video of him, whatever. You look clean cut and he looks like a junk, right?

If he isn't a disease-ridden drug addict, what did he need my phone for again?
If he is a disease-ridden drug addict, what are the chances that he will
a) actually have HIV and what are the chances to get infected in a fight?
b) sue me for assault and have a whole train of witnesses while I have exactly zero for the robbery?

The policeman told me not to talk to him and let the police handle it and I trust him more than some pdeudo-tough guys who aren't the ones taking the chance of an HIV infection.

Oh yeah, the advice on what to do before a weapon is drawn was good I think. Just after he threatened my life I'm not going to change my opinion.

[PanzerJaeger]

Why are you guys being so hard on him? "Grow some balls"? Are you serious? You do not confront a criminal with a weapon... He did exactly the right thing.

[Louis VI the Fat]

If he isn't a disease-ridden drug addict, what did he need my phone for again?
If he is a disease-ridden drug addict, what are the chances that he will
a) actually have HIV and what are the chances to get infected in a fight?
b) sue me for assault and have a whole train of witnesses while I have exactly zero for the robbery?

The policeman told me not to talk to him and let the police handle it and I trust him more than some pdeudo-tough guys who aren't the ones taking the chance of an HIV infection.

Oh yeah, the advice on what to do before a weapon is drawn was good I think. Just after he threatened my life I'm not going to change my opinion.

Yes, I was a bit stupid. I sounded like a fifteen year old. Do not bring a weapon and do not seek out a physical confrontation. What was I thinking?

It's just...you need to remember who is the criminal here and who is the law abiding citizen. The criminal must fear broad daylight, must be afraid of taking the same route every day, must be afraid of stumbling into people he has mugged. It can not be other way round. Do not be too afraid of what he might do to you.

[Andres]

Meh, internet tough guys.

Husar, the first time, you did the right thing. The only thing one can blame you, is that you're a nice, friendly and helpful guy. Now, I could tell you that you should become like most people when a stranger asks them for help: angry look, ignore, quickly run forward, but that would be wrong. There should be more people like you, not less. Don't feel ashamed for being scared; those who are rude and walk forward, are as scared as you; at least you had the guts to listen to the man, talk to him and even tried to help him; YOU didn't run away, like most people, including the tough guys here, would have done. You have more balls than 99 % of the people taking the subway, those 99 % would have run away from the guy.

About your second encounter, what can I say? You're unarmed. The guy sits on a chair. A whole bunch of witnesses around you. What could you have done? Step up to him and provoke him to get violent? If someobdy would intervene, he might as well see you as the aggressor and give you a few punches. And at what purpose? The phone is reported stolen and is blocked; you're insured. Besides, for all you know, the junk lost it already. You also risk getting sticked with a needle; the thing you, luckily, avoided the first time. And even if you would have "won" the fight, beating a guy up because he stole your cellphone the day before, is not allowed by the law. It might have well have resulted in you ending up in jail (there would have been plenty of witnesses of your crime) and having the rest of your life ruined because of it.

Don't let all this tough talk of guys who are not in your situation (unarmed vs. a nuts drug addict keen on infecting you with HIV) get to you. I think you've handled this correctly. All of this happened shortly ago, so I find it perfectly normal you're still very impressed by these events.

[The Stranger]

Yes, I was a bit stupid. I sounded like a fifteen year old. Do not bring a weapon and do not seek out a physical confrontation. What was I thinking?

It's just...you need to remember who is the criminal here and who is the law abiding citizen. The criminal must fear broad daylight, must be afraid of taking the same route every day, must be afraid of stumbling into people he has mugged. It can not be other way round. Do not be too afraid of what he might do to you.

there is a difference in living in fear or what might happen to you at any given moment and being afraid of what a certain lunatic might do to you in a specific circumstance.

[Crazed Rabbit]

For God's sake, man up. Still this rubbish? A two bit punk making you run, making you take a different route home. You needed to to kick him in the face, confront him, make a scene, have everybody else call the police, take pictures and video of him, whatever. You look clean cut and he looks like a junk, right?

You can't keep running all of your life. Take a stand and fight mate. The idea was for you to find him, remember? Why did you not carry a knife with you today? When you knew there was a good odds of you seeing him again? He is supposed to be running scared of you from now on, not the other way round.

At this rate, if I were this junk, I'd have you pay me a tenner every day just so you can sit in the same train as me.

Sorry, I don't want to sound all E-tough and everything, but come on eh? Don't be too scared. The guy is a junk, he is scared of the police, and of other people.

Quoted for truthiness.

That video I posted? A small-average sized woman confronted and told off a man larger than her.

Even if you don't go and knee him in the face, confront him. Other people have phones.

CR

[a completely inoffensive name]

Quoted for truthiness.

That video I posted? A small-average sized woman confronted and told off a man larger than her.

Even if you don't go and knee him in the face, confront him. Other people have phones.

CR

Dude was surrounded by who knows how many other people, trapped on the subway. It wasn't one on one.

It's not like your pride or honor is at stake here guys, there is nothing wrong with running when you have no self defense except your fist (which do not trump possible infected needle). If you have a taser or a gun, good you have the option of using it or you can still run as well. Stop telling people to grow some balls and accommodate for their nature which may be naturally non-aggressive.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Dude was surrounded by who knows how many other people, trapped on the subway. It wasn't one on one.

It's not like your pride or honor is at stake here guys, there is nothing wrong with running when you have no self defense except your fist (which do not trump possible infected needle). If you have a taser or a gun, good you have the option of using it or you can still run as well. Stop telling people to grow some balls and accommodate for their nature which may be naturally non-aggressive.

I got the impression this punk thief wasn't with anyone, there was just a crowd on a subway. I don't think it'd be one on one; it'd be the subway car against the thief if Husar told people to call the police. What would the guy do? Take some needle out and threaten everyone?

CR

[Fragony]

Dude was surrounded by who knows how many other people, trapped on the subway. It wasn't one on one.

It's not like your pride or honor is at stake here guys, there is nothing wrong with running when you have no self defense except your fist (which do not trump possible infected needle). If you have a taser or a gun, good you have the option of using it or you can still run as well. Stop telling people to grow some balls and accommodate for their nature which may be naturally non-aggressive.

Wise words. No shame in being scared. Situations like this take you by surprise anyway. Give up the phone and call insurance, and secretly hope he overdoses. Only pick the fights that are worth the trouble.

[The Stranger]

For God's sake, man up. Still this rubbish? A two bit punk making you run, making you take a different route home. You needed to to kick him in the face, confront him, make a scene, have everybody else call the police, take pictures and video of him, whatever. You look clean cut and he looks like a junk, right?

You can't keep running all of your life. Take a stand and fight mate. The idea was for you to find him, remember? Why did you not carry a knife with you today? When you knew there was a good odds of you seeing him again? He is supposed to be running scared of you from now on, not the other way round.

At this rate, if I were this junk, I'd have you pay me a tenner every day just so you can sit in the same train as me.

Sorry, I don't want to sound all E-tough and everything, but come on eh? Don't be too scared. The guy is a junk, he is scared of the police, and of other people.

what a lot of bs... carrying a knife doesnt make you tough. and running is sometimes the best thing to do.

i dont run fast but when a guy came after me with a rock and i could see in his eyes he would bash my skull open with it, i did the only thing i couldve done. run as fast as i could, head low and covered by my arms.

[Sigurd]

what a lot of bs... carrying a knife doesn't make you tough. and running is sometimes the best thing to do.

It helps knowing how to use one for sure, both on confidence and in the event that you would need the skills, like fending off a needle.

Intelligence, as in information about your adversary and his methods, are always good to boost confidence and device defense/attack plans.

What are the chances of being infected with HIV anyway? Was it a syringe with blood in it, or just a sharp object? The difference matters.

IMO Husar did the right thing. Playing poker with your health is not worth it. People with skills could call your bluff.
If on the other hand Husar was trained in Haganah or Krav Maga or spent time in the military, he could have just-fully threatened the guy.
Screaming your lungs out just tells the criminal that you can't back up your bluff. These perpetrators would be more afraid of quiet but direct orders.
As I was told by the riff-raff I met in Scotland, "We are more afraid of the quiet ones".

[The Stranger]

It helps knowing how to use one for sure, both on confidence and in the event that you would need the skills, like fending off a needle.

Intelligence, as in information about your adversary and his methods, are always good to boost confidence and device defense/attack plans.

What are the chances of being infected with HIV anyway? Was it a syringe with blood in it, or just a sharp object? The difference matters.

IMO Husar did the right thing. Playing poker with your health is not worth it. People with skills could call your bluff.
If on the other hand Husar was trained in Haganah or Krav Maga or spent time in the military, he could have just-fully threatened the guy.
Screaming your lungs out just tells the criminal that you can't back up your bluff. These perpetrators would be more afraid of quiet but direct orders.
As I was told by the riff-raff I met in Scotland, "We are more afraid of the quiet ones".

nope trust me. it is all false confidence. if you dont know how to handle a knife dont carry one. (using a knife for bread and butter is something else than knifefighting) besides if u take out your knife the entire thing might escalate and considering we are talking about a criminal offender the odds that he carries something that will beat your knife is big.

[Husar]

Thanks, and by the way, I didn't run, he asked me almost kindly to just let him go and walk home or else he would harm me. So I let him go, told him that this was a nice way of him to thank me, that he couldn't use the phone anyway as it had a password etc. Then as he walked away I turned around and went home to call the police since I didn't for one minute intend to let him get away, it doesn't matter that I'm subconsciously scared, I will give the police as much info as I can, I'm just not willing to confront him physically as long as he could infect me with HIV.
I do trust my reflexes a lot in some cases although I'm usually a slow person, but even if I could stop him from putting the needle into my throat, he could still get my hand or arm instead etc. Those are things I considered in the few seconds when he pulled it, it's a freaking needle, it's designed to penetrate skin.

That said, I had no idea whether it actually was a needle, he had already lured me to a darker area in a side road and I looked at his hand shortly but couldn't make out much, I had become a bit nervous, the view on his hand was blurry, I pondered the abocve, including it could be a bluff but decided his hand was already too close to my throat and he seemed way too confident of it to risk anything. Keep in mind he probably fooled me to think he was actually calling a friend as well and made me relax a bit when shortly before he pulled the needle he supposedly told the guy what I had just told him to say, that he had another guy's phone and couldn't talk for long. So I expected to get my phone back soon and then he asked whether I was healthy, I expected him to try and run away if I said "no, I'm cranky and miserable and have an artificial knee" so I said I'm fine and then he turned around "you know what, I have...." and so on. In hindsight it seems very clever, he approached me on a big street and lulled me into thinking he was just some weird guy doing a phone call to a friend until we were in a dark place. I wasn't going to use violence for him walking a bit with my phone, but if anyone tries that again (after getting my phone somehow which I won't let anyone take out of my hand anymore) I will bring them down very hard, after all I walked behind him for a bit.

However, next time it may be three muscular guys with knives and guns and balaclavas and then I would rather show that I'm not the worst sprinter...

You don't win such an encounter by being the victorious slayer(although that does have a great appeal, yes, I'm a quiet guy...), you win it by preventing the other guy from getting what he wants and/or getting out mostly unharmed.

I'm happy that he didn't ask for my wallet for example, as the policeman said, it is easier to keep in your hand what you already have than take it from someone, I should have stopped him more thoroughly from grabbing the phone in the first place, that much I admit, but afterwards you always know better as we say.