Many of us know the difference between school smarts and street smarts. However, some of us don't know how to use them and when to apply them. Street smarts are crucial nowadays because of the creeps, the stealers and the non-thinkers.
Simple tasks such as going to the grocery store may entail more thought then you think. While you're pushing your cart around the store, if you're a female, you may place your pocketbook in the cart. That would be a bad time to walk away from it. Zip your bag shut and keep an eye on it at all times. You would think you could go to the store without problems; however, due to the economy, people are sinking to all-time lows. Desperation has caused some people to attempt to get money anyway possible. The same rule applies when you are walking around a large town; make sure to keep your bag close to your body and keep it zipped. Some people will pick pocket anyone they can.
A trend that has recently become more frequent is people walking around with a magnetic card scanner. They are able to scan your credit cards or bank cards right through your wallets. So ladies and gentlemen, I suggest you line your wallets with aluminum foil as this blocks the magnetic card reader from reading your cards.
If you are at the mall shopping and have multiple bags, it may be a good idea to make an extra trip to the car and leave some in there. This way, you're less likely to place them down somewhere and leave them by mistake or have them stolen.
This brings me to my next point. Don't leave your shopping bags in clear sight while in the car. This is an open invitation to thieves who are tempted by the chance you may have something valuable in them.
Something that should seem second nature, yet not a lot of people do it, is looking both ways before you cross the street. Even if you're using a crosswalk, it doesn't mean people will see you or respect your crossing. There was an accident two weeks ago at the college I attend, where two girls crossed the street using the crosswalk; sadly they were hit and seriously injured.
So it's very important to make sure the coast is clear before you cross the street.
If you are walking home from school or work and it's dark out, it should be obvious that you should avoid any dark alleys. If you are walking past someone who seems sketchy or you have a weird feeling, listen to your intuition.
When I don't feel safe, I press "911" on my phone so it's there just in case I have to quickly press the "call" button. However, do not dial it by mistake because too many accidental phone calls to 911 can result in getting fined.
With incidents you come across or are involved in, try to take a lesson away from each. Be prepared to face all sorts of people and problems when you go outside of your home. You never know what situations you will encounter; all you can do is be prepared and learn from your mistakes.
Melissa Flathmann, a 2011 graduate of Oneonta High School, is a freshman at the State University College at Plattsburgh. Would you like A Word of Advice from her? Send her an email at melissa_flath@yahoo.com or send her a letter to "Teen Talk: A Word of Advice," C/O The Daily Star, P.O. Box 250, Oneonta, NY 13820. 'Teen Talk' columns can be found at www.thedailystar.com/teentalk.
Teen Talk
A Word of Advice: Use your street smarts to stay safe
- Teen Talk
-
-
A Word of Advice: Learn to appreciate what we have
By Melissa Flathmann "When I was a kid ... we had to walk to school, barefoot, in two feet of snow ... uphill, both ways!" How many of you have heard this line so many times your eyes automatically roll? I've heard it lots and as I get older, I realize that maybe as kids, we missed the point.
-
On The Go: Public speaking and I don't get along
By Adrian Adamo If, for some reason, you ever happen to be invited to attend an event where I am scheduled to be doing some sort of public speaking of any kind, do us both a favor and politely decline.
-
Weekend Reviews: Pottermore offers lots more Potter
by Maggie McVey I'm not typically someone who looks for the biggest sensations on the Internet. Frankly, I usually have way too much going on to be able to sit down and "surf the 'net" as the kids call it these days.
-
Teenhood Today: A nudge toward humility or confidence
By Miriam Thurber A problem that many people face is the issue of self-esteem. We either hold ourselves too high or we push ourselves too far into the mud.
-
A Word of Advice: Teens can make a difference
By Melissa Flathmann
-
Teen Talk: I'm becoming a pro at procrastination
There are a lot of dangerous things out there in the world, but of all of them, procrastination might be the worst. Why is that, you ask?
-
Weekend Reviews: May the odds be ever in your favor
ByMaggie McVey The newest tween sensation sweeping the nation is none other than "The Hunger Games" trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins. Many believe this series to be the next "Twilight" or "Harry Potter," but I think "The Hunger Games" is interesting in its own right.
-
Teenhood Today: You, too, can overcome technological difficulties
By Miriam Thurber I was planning on writing about stress. However, in the middle of writing it my computer died and that column disappeared into the other dimension.
-
A Word of Advice: Make eating fun and healthful
By Melissa Flathmann Eating healthy can be a challenge.
-
On The Go: A tale of an 18-year-old knitter
By Adrian Adamo When people hear of "knitting," the image that comes to mind is probably one of a bunch of elderly women, their glasses halfway down their nose, sitting around in a circle in rocking chairs, rocking back and forth with a ball of yarn trailing on the floor.
-
Weekend reviews: True hipsters don't try to be hip
By Maggie McVey The newest epidemic that seems to be affecting our nation's youth is one that may surprise and perhaps even disturb you. Yes, folks, teenagers all across the country are becoming hipsters.
-
Teenhood Today: If you can't laugh at yourself ...
By Miriam Thurber People need to learn how to laugh at themselves.
-
A Word of Advice: Being kind, honest goes a long way
By Melissa Flathmann We all have someone in our lives who has a problem owning up to their mistakes; it could be you, a friend or a relative. No matter who does it, be aware that in no way is it a good thing.
-
On the Go: I'm lovin' my jam-packed, stressful life
By Adrian Adamo Right now, it's exactly 1:22 p.m., which means I have exactly 20 minutes before I should leave for class, allowing a three-minute grace period. should there be any traffic when I'm crossing the street to get to class. And of course, I'll need to plan an extra 30 seconds or so to have on hand just in case the stairs are crowded today.
-
Weekend Reviews: All romance movies aren't mushy and traditional
By Maggie McVey Don't you just love love?
-
Teenhood Today: School "¦ Need I say more?
By Miriam Thurber Name one person who enjoys school _ one person who wakes up pumped each morning, finishes all assignments three months before they're due, and starts a club called "The best day of my life was the day my first teacher pried my arms off of my mom's legs and forced me to learn my ABCs!"
-
A Word of Advice: Little changes can make big difference for our earth
By Melissa Flathmann Every year our earth becomes more and more polluted. The sad part is that not many people try to stop it because they may think "How would one person make a difference?"
-
On the Go: Why do puzzles have to be so darn puzzling?
By Adrian Adamo Life isn't always easy. We are mere humans, trapped in this game we call "life," just trying to make our way through relatively unscathed.
-
Weekend Reviews: The Nook versus the book
By Maggie McVey Ever since electronic books or "e-books" as some like to call them, have risen in popularity, I have solemnly rejected ever feeling the necessity or desire to buy into the idea, undoubtedly created to make companies such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble copious amounts of money.
-
We'll all find our place in the world ... eventually
by Miriam Thurber I'm starting to think about my future, and it's scary.
-
A Word of Advice: Learn to appreciate what we have
