Paranoia making anyone an introvert

[gnihcraes]

So I have been noticing when I’m out in crowded places I get paranoid and begin to watch everyone that could be a potential threat to my family and me. Am I going crazy or are there more people like me in this forum??? I am becoming like my father, I would rather be at home or with close family and friends then going out. I am beginning to hate places like the mall, large crowds, and even Wal-Mart. Hoping that it’s not just an overactive trigger finger, pulling my weapon is that last thing I ever want to do!

It's just the rest of us watching you watching us. Relax.

[lex137]

I must say that I don't go to places like the Aurora mall or any other place like that the closes I come to that place is the Firing Line, Gander Mt (when they have deals), Sportsmans when it was still open, other than that I don't spend much time around there. To make sure people don't think I'm a racist I am Chinese (I hate everone equally, lol), and no I don't think they are going to take over the world, and I would be the first person to defend the stars and stipes if they tried. = )

[ChunkyMonkey]

I must say that I don't go to places like the Aurora mall or any other place like that the closes I come to that place is the Firing Line, Gander Mt (when they have deals), Sportsmans when it was still open, other than that I don't spend much time around there. To make sure people don't think I'm a racist I am Chinese (I hate everone equally, lol), and no I don't think they are going to take over the world, and I would be the first person to defend the stars and stipes if they tried. = )

Of course you dont have to go to the malls. Everything there is made in back home! What's new to see?

[lex137]

Your telling me it's hard to just buy things made here, I do try though!

[ChunkyMonkey]

hehehe.. I was baiting. I am Chinese and hate everyone equally too.

[mcantar18c]

Of course you dont have to go to the malls. Everything there is made in back home! What's new to see?

I'm always checking my sides and back when I'm out, when I walk through crowds its second nature to me to brush my hands against my pockets as I'm moving them to make sure everything still there every few feet or so and otherwise keep them at waist level-ish ready to block or throw a punch/elbow/whatever, when coming up on/walking around a corner I always walk a little bit out so I can see what's there instead of just walking into it, I never sit with my back towards people, places people could move to, doors, or windows if I can help it.
Nothing wrong with situational awareness.

[Clint45]

So i can GUESS which malls/stores he's talking about.

You know you're in a bad neighborhood when you go into a fast food place to use the john and there are multiple chain locks on every piece of exposed pipe so the crackheads don't steal the urinal and rip the plumbing out of the wall.

[Irving]

I've been watching you. As soon as you let your guard down....you're mine.

[SideShow Bob]

The wife has no clue of what situational awareness is, every time I am out in public with her all she notices is the latest sale price and the fact that I am always looking at all the other women around us. We have had some pretty good fights about this when I try to explain that I am not looking at the women, but gathering information of our immediate situation and possible cover or escape routes if something were to go down.

[Dusty Johnson]

So i can GUESS which malls/stores he's talking about.

I never go to Aurora Mall at night.

I never go to the walmart on Exposition unless I've got someone to watch my back.

here's what I perceive of as a "problem"...

Seen the McDonald's thing? Beatings and the like happen in crowded public places ALL THE TIME. Nobody helps, nobody intervenes. You can end up dead just for looking at someone. It's almost happened to me a couple of times, the "mad dog stare" thing. Fortunately I carry things which tend to keep me safe, but I dont COUNT on them. For the same reasons you wouldn't walk in downtown Tripoli right now, I don't walk into some places anymore.

Yeah, we're brushing against the topic of "racial tension" because, face it, THATS where gang members or wannabe's (correction; gonna-be's) hang out to do some "work" for their set.

Aurora PD has two police officers assigned to the mall, but you'd be hard pressed to find them most of the time. They have security, but they're not much use in keeping you safe, they carry no form of weapon whatsoever, and their training is STRICLY 'observe and report'. Frankly, when one of those things breaks out - you need numbers, and one security guard with the right training and attitude wouldn't be much use.

Century `16 in Aurora? On a Friday night they have 4 APD officers working off duty.

having gone to different chain stores, I can say that if you switch WHERE you shop, your anxiety level will come down. Drive a few miles out of your way, it does help.

So I would say that it's your environment you're responding to, and it's normal. It's very very easy for someone to say, "calm down", but they're not in your position - and perhaps have no family to look after while out and about. I never ever dispose of someone's prickly feelings in these manners, because they're always some reason their hindbrain is telling them to get the heck out of there.

Well said!

If Aurora is home try moving to FAR south east Aurora.