15 Street Smarts Skills We All Need
Maybe it’s just me, but there’s a chance that you’ve been shocked at the thinking and reasoning skills (or lack thereof) of some of our population, especially our youth today. It’s become pretty obvious that just because you have a formal education through a college degree, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a smart person when it comes to real-world situations. Yes, having book smarts is important, but executing those “smarts” by putting them into practice is even more so. Check out these street-smart skills we all need.
I’ve known a number of people who I felt were more educated than I was, but they didn’t necessarily use common sense when it came to social intelligence or problem-solving skills. I’m hoping to highlight some skills you should strive for, particularly since most of us live in a more crowded urban environment than in years past.
In case you missed this post, The Best Survival-You Are Responsible For Your Family
Street Smarts Skills We All Need
That’s where street smarts come in. Street smarts mean taking the information we’ve gained through real-world experience and using it in a practical way, and also being more aware of what’s going on around us. Here are 15 street smarts that we all need to have.
I’ve always felt some people have intuition skills often called your gut feelings about things. That may have come through their daily life circumstances and interaction with others. It may also have come from observations they’ve made regarding the actions of others and how the results showed weakness in the application of practical knowledge. Street-smart people learn from their own and other’s mistakes.
1. Knowing Directions and Closeby Markers
Have you ever been in an accident and had no idea where you were and had a difficult time alerting dispatch of your location? Lots of people are terrible with directions and don’t even have the slightest notion of which way is North.
It’s not a good idea to jump behind the wheel or head out in a big city without recognizing surrounding markers or locations, or even what direction you may be heading for that matter. Keep a flashlight in your Everyday Carry Bag-What You Need or in your purse.
Situational awareness is a skill to develop. Learn to recognize high-risk areas and how to deal with obstacles when you find yourself outside your comfort zone. I’ve always told my readers to carry an emergency kit in their car, and having some mace for defense might be appropriate if you live or work near high crime areas.
2. More Conscious of the Darker Side of Humanity
We’d like to think that all people are genuinely good, but let’s not fool ourselves when it comes to other’s behaviors. Some people want to hurt and take advantage of us. I’m not telling you to sit at home and read about the sick and twisted things that people do, but you need to be aware that those kinds of people are out there and are looking for easy targets. Every day we get alerts on the news or social media highlighting the latest scam to be aware of.
I’ve been amazed at the number of citizens who are tricked out of significant funds by scam artists. The old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” rings true in so many of these instances.
3. Avoid Cyber Incidents
People are far too trusting about giving out their information or location to complete strangers on the internet. Don’t be one of them, and be more cautious about what you share. Again, social intelligence includes learning who to trust, whether they are individuals or those in the business world.
4. Drink Responsibly
When you decide to go out and have a drink, make sure that you do it with a number of friends, and have a designated driver. At the least, make the decision to stay where you are if you feel you’ll put yourself or others at risk. Too many lives are destroyed because someone chooses not to be responsible.
5. More Knowledgeable When Making a Purchase
Have you ever made an unwise purchase because you didn’t do the research? Instead of getting ripped off as a consumer, spend more time doing the necessary research and getting to know that product, and comparing it to other similar products.
6. Use all 5 Senses
The majority of us were given 5 senses to experience the world around us, so we must remember to use all of them. Those senses can alert us to danger, along with helping us remember the things that we like and dislike.
7. Avoid Looking Lost
Even if you don’t know where you are in a sketchy part of a big city, the worst thing you could do is have the look of being lost written all over your face or through your body language. Another smart thing to consider is not traveling these areas alone. This makes you an easier target.
8. Be Aware of Your Belongings
When you’re in a big city it becomes even more important to be aware of your belongings. Don’t carry a lot of cash and avoid wearing a backpack or purse that could easily be grabbed or pickpocketed.
9. Don’t Put Yourself in a Dangerous Situation
Partying late at night and then walking by yourself, or going home with a stranger is flirting with sure danger. Especially if you’ve had too much to drink. Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations like these. Stay where you are and call a friend or parent to come and get you.
10. Survival Skills
Could you survive on your own if a disaster were to strike? Here are just a few of the basic survival skills everyone needs to know. Resourcefulness is a talent or skill to develop. Making the most of what you have makes sense since we all have different financial resources available to us.
11. Better Communication Skills
Instead of always needing to be heard and getting the final word in, it’s vital that we stop and listen to other’s viewpoints as well. Stop and listen. Truly smart individuals learn from others as they have social interactions. Communication is one of the strong social skill when need, whether at home, work, school, church, or wherever we meet with others.
12. Pay Attention to Detail
You never know when paying closer attention to detail will come in handy. When a situation arises, like a hit-and-run car accident or burglary, being able to identify a car model or what the suspect looked like becomes extremely important. Being aware of our surroundings, where exits from buildings are, proximity to a police station, and other observable situations is vital.
13. Look Up From Your Phone
There’s so much that can be missed when we have our faces in our phones all the time. Especially when we’re out in public. Warning signs can be missed that could alert us to danger even before it happens. We miss out on relationships too. So keep your eyes looking ahead instead of down at a screen all the time.
14. Looking at the Whole Picture
Let’s face it, most of us go through life with tunnel vision goggles on and bring only our own worldviews to most everyday situations. Even though our motives may be pure, there are times when they may be misguided.
So it’s no wonder that it may take a lot more practice from the majority of us to take a step back and look at the whole picture and not necessarily at what we think is the right answer or response all the time. (This is painful to do, I know.) Doing so can save us from a lot of arguments and creating estranged relationships from our closest friends and family as emotions get out of control.
15. Trusting Your Instincts
Even more than we may realize, our brains take in a ton of information about what’s going on in the world around us. Instead of brushing off that information as mere coincidence or not important, practice paying closer attention to the data our brains have collected. More times than not, your instincts will lead us to the correct decision. Now, this is one of those street smarts we all need!
Final Word
These are 15 practical street smarts that everyone should know. They will help you to make wiser decisions and help you be more observant about what’s going on around you. What are some other street smart skills we all need that you’d add to this list? Please be safe, we must be careful and aware of our surroundings. May God bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Small Town Deposit photos_34944253_s-2019, Cell Phone Deposit photos_34744909_s-2019, Students In A Group Looking At PhonesDepositphotos_518668072_S By Oksixx
There is ZERO reason to be out drinking right now and many not too. Between the virus, crime and idiots you need your senses about you and to be armed IF you must be out.
If its that important to you to have social and drinking host a party at home. I promise you wont be sorry in the long run.
I know it will fall on deaf ears for the most part but……
Hi Matt, I totally agree. It’s crazy how many people are going out right now. I had to tell my granddaughter she couldn’t come with 3 friends (she’s 16 years old) and lives about 4 hours away. She wanted to come for about 4 days to visit, go hiking, shopping, and swimming, etc. I turned 70 this year and I can’t risk it having visitors. Mark just turned 74 and goes to church, golfs (outside is a bit safer, except for the golf carts), and goes to a civic club restaurant once a week. It drives me crazy, I keep telling him you are bringing home possible germs. Deaf ears are so right! Great comment, Linda
Keeping your wits about you! I make it a practice to not use my phone when I am out and about – even in areas that I am relatively comfortable in. We need to be aware all the time. I always make sure to park in an area that is well lit – say at the mall or other large stores. I also make sure to mentally memorize where I have parked. This allows me to “not look lost”! There are times that it is not possible to park in a well lit area – those are the times I decide it isn’t worth it to me to go to that store at that time! I also try not to go out after dark if it is at all possible. I have made it a habit to keep my head turning as well – looking around me and making eye contact with people. This allows me to know what is going on around me.
Hi Leanne, love your comment, now if we can teach others to do the same. Linda
I try to always park with my vehicle facing so I can pull directly out as opposed to trying to back out.
I look at the entrance I will be going to, then count the rows of parked vehicles. When I come from the store, for example, I know I am 3 full rows to the right of that entrance, halfway down on the A or B side row.
A long, long time ago I was one of the few wives capable of walking alone from the base at Subic Bay out into the markets or V Liner depot on the other side of Olongapo in the Philippines. (I worked in the elementary school at Subic, but we lived in San Miguel, and the military bus only ran 3 or 4 times a day between the two bases. ) I walked with purpose, paid attention to my surroundings, had my money readily available to pay for the jitney or V Liner bus instead of fumbling in a purse or flashing a wallet. Those lessons are still valid today, no matter where I travel, work or shop.
I have to admit, I am very aggravated by people who are so busy with their cell phones that they weave all over the road while driving. I have a 25 mile trip to work, church and major shopping venues. Between the ongoing road construction on all the main roads in my area and the many distracted drivers busy with their cell phones…. it seems like there are many unnecessary close calls.
Hi BDN, oh I get so mad when I see a driver texting, yes texting on the freeway! What the heck!!! And some are slumped next to the door talking on their phone, good grief, no call or text is that important. We have to be smart when walking, driving, and going in and out of the stores. Great tip on parking! Linda
#13 especially–that and being zoned in on ear-buds. I see so many walkers, joggers, bike-riders who are totally unaware of what’s going on because they can’t hear what’s behind or beside them. It’s really no wonder there are so many attacks on joggers…
Hi Rhonda, I get concerned about that as well. I don’t have the best balance and I’m afraid they are going to run into me or me into them. LOL! I worry when my granddaughters go for runs, it’s not safe these days. It’s really sad. Linda
I enjoyed your article. Especially#13.It reminded me of a car accident that happened in Houston a few years ago. A semi truck developed engine trouble. The driver pulled over. He set out his safety markers. then he waited for his company mechanic. A car hit the back of his truck. A police man arrived moments later. He told the truck driver that the accident was not his fault. He then checked out the car. the driver was dead. He had been talking on his cell phone when he hit the truck.There were no skid marks on the road.THE CAR DRIVER WAS DISTRACTED BY HIS PHONE CALL. HE WAS POSSIBLY AVERAGING 55 MPH. WHEN THEY HIT THE TRUCK.
Hi Elbert, thank you for sharing your comment. People need to read this. What a terrible accident! No skid marks, so sad for the deceased persons family and the truck driver. Wow, just so sad. Linda
I tell you, even as I use my computer to read news communicate with people, I sometimes hate electronics and our dependency on computers and cell phones. Sometimes they don’t work when we need them to and it’s extremely frustrating.
I have a GPS device, but it failed to work for me and I’m not sure if it pooped out or is fixable, but my point is that I am glad that I grew up before cell phones and internet apps for everything because our old school ways and technology are perfect backups. A street map, a compass, and maybe a pair of binoculars will allow me to travel today as they have in the past.
Familiarity with your location (town, city, state), hard copies of documents, music, speeches, etc., some cash money, a radio, supplies to write a letter, shopping for your own groceries and fast food, and having a note pad and a pen are all alternatives to going electronic and they still work without needing a signal.
Sadly, many people have become dependent and used to information on demand by electronic devices.
Hi Frank, by now you probably know me well enough that my biggest fear is HUGE power grid hit. Have you read Lights Out” by Ted Koppel. People worry about an EMP, our power grid (three feed the entire US) are so vulnerable and antiquated. We need maps, note pads, pencils, a pencil sharpener (or a good knife LOL), and for sure hard copies of everything. I have a set of binoculars by my back porch to watch the lizards and sometimes coyotes. But I can see the rabbits, birds, hawks, etc. Luckily we learned how to use a map. Someday we will have no signals, no power, but those of us who learned to live before electronics will survive. It will be hard but we can do it. Linda
I do have that book, but it’s one of several I just haven’t been able to get around to reading. I got it at Dollar Tree of all places, which I mentioned before. Now I’m going to make it the next book I read.
In keeping with the theme here, I also have a few books from Goodwill; one on exercise and one on raising chickens and a few others. Whatever happens, I know it’s ideal to have learned everything before the SHTF, but at least I will have information I need and not depend on electricity.
Hi Frank, good job finding them at Goodwill! I love hearing this! Linda
I’ve given up talking to anyone bout this stuff. Their heads are buried in cell phones and their minds are under the influence and society is lost
Hi Matt, I totally agree, some people use their phones while driving, weaving in traffic. I want a banner that says, please put your phone down, no call or text is that important. Done with rant, LOL! Truth, Linda
That is so true! Sometimes my daughter sends me a text and wonders why I don’t respond right away. I often tell her that I actually NEED to find my phone!! It is somewhere in the house! If I do need to look something up when I am out and about, I am sitting in my locked car!!
Hi Leanne, so true, where is my phone?? LOL! Linda
Linda – I have lived around people (senior citizens) who are so totally unaware of their surroundings. I often wonder how they made it to the ripe old age they are!! I have seen them walking their dogs with their heads looking at their phones. Then when they come upon me, they are shocked. It was worse at night when, frankly, they needed to be much more aware.
Something else that needs to be addressed – this actually happened to me the other day. I was driving to my daughter’s home out in the country. A few miles from her home, my “low tire pressure” light came on. I pulled off the road when it was safe to do so. Turned out I had a flat tire!! Who knows what I picked up! I always, always carry a small compressor (hooks up to the cigarette lighter but is also USB chargeable) and I was able to pump up the tire. It took about 20 minutes, but it works. I was then able to get to my daughter’s home where my son-in-law was able to change my tire. I CAN change my own tire, I have that knowledge, but at my age, that is NOT something I want to do!! I also carry AAA for those same reasons. So, the point I am really trying to make is this: know how to do things and have the tools to do so! As I said, I know how to change a tire and had I been where I couldn’t get to my daughter’s home or back to town without changing the tire, I would have done it. If one physically cannot do this, they need to have something like AAA to have them come out to your location. That said, you also need to know where you are!! Pay attention to exits and other landmarks!
Hi Leanne, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this comment! Oh, I’m so glad you had the tire compressor tool!! Thank goodness you were not to far from your daughters home. Glad you were prepared, love this! Linda
Just be aware, with AAA you are NOT covered if you are towing a trailer–at least, a horse trailer. They do not tell you this when you sign up, even if you happen to be talking about pulling that trailer. End result, after several years on AAA with not a single call-in… I was 50 miles from home, had already changed one tire myself, then had a second flat tire (goodness knows what I’d gone over!), so I called in–and was told that if I had a trailer I suddenly was “commercial” and not covered.
So–if you pull a trailer, I suggest USRider. Probably costs more, but it covers you in any vehicle (not just when transporting animals). Any time I’ve had to call in, the first thing they check is whether you and your animals are OK. If you’re *really* in trouble, they will locate a vet, stabling, whatever (of course you do pay for the actual services yourself). And lots of member discounts/perks from dozens of retailers–probably saves me most of the membership cost each year!
Hi Rhonda, wow! Thank you for sharing your story! Thanks for letting us all know about USRider, what a blessing to have that when you have horses or other animals! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe they wouldn’t help with the other tire after years of paying and NO claim. Not cool, Linda
Rhonda –
I am fortunate that I don’t have large animals to have to transport. It is a shame that AAA doesn’t have coverage for your situation, but I am glad you found a solution.
“Situational awareness” is a phrase I use more often than “common sense”. It’s just as important when you’re at home as when out and about and you need the first to be able to apply the second! You can head off a lot of trouble just by picking up on subtle clues and being prepared to deal with a variety of circumstances. It’s easier to pick up on clues in familiar surroundings but can be a lot more important when in unfamiliar ones. Looking casually confident and competent can head off a lot of unwanted attention much better than looking lost and nervous but looking tense and like you want to challenge all comers can land you in a mess.
Hi Alice, oh I LOVE your comment, it is totally correct! Linda
Linda, Alice nailed it with her situational awareness comment. Doesn’t matter where you are you need to be aware of what’s going on around you. Walk with an erect, aware, posture with your head on a swivel. That attitude puts predators off and sends them looking for easier prey. If you can’t or won’t carry a gun or decent knife, mace (better yet bear spray) or a taser is a great option. Both are usually legal even in States or Cities where open or concealed carry isn’t–though check your local laws first. Boston, Mass., for example, doesn’t allow mace, guns or decent size knives. Apparently they want their citizens helpless against criminals. Still, better tried by 12 than carried by 6.
Hi Ray, oh my gosh, Boston, Mass., wow!!!! I should look into Utah’s laws. I had my concealed weapons permit but let it go. Attitude is indeed the aura to put predators. Don’t look weak ever, stand tall and be ready for anything that comes your way. Linda
I guess the ones who are clueless would fit in the category of “not being able to pour p*ss out of a boot with the directions written on the heel!”
Hi Rhonda, I haven’t heard this one before but it makes sense! LOL! Love it! Linda
I’m pretty sure it goes back at least to the American Civil War… LOL!
Hi Rhonda, good one! LOL! Linda