{"id":6426,"date":"2026-03-01T17:22:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T17:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/but-they-looked-harmless\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T17:22:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T17:22:50","slug":"but-they-looked-harmless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/but-they-looked-harmless\/","title":{"rendered":"But They Looked Harmless"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I can\u2019t tell you how many times I have heard people say this about a stranger, \u201cthey looked so nice\u201d or \u201cI bet they don\u2019t have a mean bone in their body.\u201d When I hear things like that, I ask them, \u201chow can you tell?\u201d They usually answer with \u201cthey are handsome, nice smile, dressed to the \u201cT\u201d, have a child with them, well groomed\u201d and the like. I simply nod and ask the same question again \u201cbut, how can you say that they mean you no harm just by looking at them (but with a bit more umph on HOW).\u201d That really gets them thinking.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Did you know that bad guys can dress nicely or poorly? They can appear charming or aggressive. They can surround themselves with children to appear approachable. They can smile at you with beautiful white teeth or have poor hygiene. To make a blanket statement like \u201cthey looked harmless\u201d can get you in trouble.<\/p>\n

Remember the saying \u201cactions speak louder than words?\u201d Well, since appearances can be deceiving, let\u2019s focus on a few characteristics of a threat.<\/p>\n

I think that the definition of the word \u201cthreat\u201d is very hostile. It means \u201ca statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other evil action on someone in retribution for something done or not done. A threat is an impending danger that has the potential to cause serious harm\u2014it just hasn’t done so yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are four types of threats: direct, indirect, veiled and conditional.<\/p>\n

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  1. A direct threat is straightforward, has a focused target and is obvious in intent. It can mean considerable harm to our health and safety and cannot be swayed by reasonable means.<\/li>\n
  2. An indirect threat is more vague, confusing and more difficult to see the motivation. It is unclear words and gestures.<\/li>\n
  3. A veiled threat is implying consequences without specifics. It hides meaning and intent. A veiled threat is verbal.<\/li>\n
  4. A conditional threat is also verbal. This threat is dependent on the victims\u2019 actions or inactions. Basically, if their demands are not met then harm may come to you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Scenario:<\/p>\n

    You have been shopping at the mall for the last two hours and you are feeling pretty darn proud of yourself because the last few people on your gift list have been completed. You are walking to your car, and you see a nice-looking man in an arm sling struggling to put some packages in the trunk of his car.<\/p>\n

    You are just about to pass him when he looks up and smiles. You notice that he has beautiful teeth and is wearing a red sweater vest to match the festive season.<\/p>\n

    He asks if you could help him, points to his arm sling and smiles again. He jokes about \u201cbuying gifts that are too big to get in his car one-handed\u201d and points to the sling again.<\/p>\n

    Your intuition is screaming at you, \u201cthis is a threat and to avoid\u201d. You make some distance, tell him that you can\u2019t help him, and quickly move to your car.<\/p>\n

    What \u201cthreats\u201d could happen next?<\/p>\n

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    1. Conditional Threat: He stops what he is doing and yells \u201cif you keep walking away, I will only chase you down\u201d<\/li>\n
    2. Veiled Threat: He stops what he is doing and yells \u201cit would be a shame if something happened to that nice face of yours.\u201d<\/li>\n
    3. Indirect Threat: He stops what he is doing, makes two fists, waves his arms aggressively and says, \u201cyou better run\u201d.<\/li>\n
    4. Direct Threat: He stops what he is doing, brandishes a knife and starts running toward you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      When it comes to threats, 1 and 2 are the winners. Have POM pepper spray in your hand, move quickly and efficiently to your car or back into the mall (whichever is closer) and get to safety. Call 911.<\/p>\n

      Make note that in 3 he makes fists and moves his arms aggressively. What happened to that injured arm in the sling?<\/p>\n

      When it comes to 4, if you don\u2019t have a plan already in place, you may end up a victim.<\/p>\n

      Is there a way to avoid 1, 2, 3 and 4? Maybe. Try this:<\/p>\n