Street Smarts

Becoming Tyar Bar Tyar

When I used to hear the terms “book smart” and “street smart” I had them defined as a bookworm or someone who knows about drugs. As I grew older, I learned street smarts is something else, it’s knowing how to intelligently behave in the world when you are out and about. How to have a sense for the environment around you and predict what people will do. This sense, kind of like a spider sense, is your guiding light.

We’ve all been to Niagara Falls, going multiple times a year, but how many of us can get there without a GPS. How many of us know how to get places by reading a map and memorizing the general route?

Try this out right now, point to the direction of the CN Tower. Now point to Niagara Falls, Vancouver, London, which way is North. A general knowledge of direction can easily be developed. Go on google maps and start zooming in and out of places. Figure out which direction random towns are in, what roads go where, what points of interest are at which location, you never know when this knowledge will help you out.

People need to be observed with caution. You never know who’s going to do what, always have your guard up. You must be mentally tyar bar tyar. Behaviours can be predicted with pattern recognition. Watch people, see how they move, you’ll develop an understanding of who looks sketchy, who to avoid, who to approach.

You must stay vigilant in all situations, whether you’re walking down a dark alley or just waiting in line for a coffee. Someone could get frustrated in line and freak out, be prepared for that. Small things can go a long way. If you must go somewhere at night, take a flashlight with you, save your phones battery. Make sure your phones always charged when heading out, your shoes are laced up and tight, make sure you’re dressed for the weather.

Here is a good video I recommend watching. If you want to learn more, just search up “how to be street smart” on YouTube and Google. Read Reddit threads about street smart tips. Avoiding a situation before it arises is your best defence.