We have all had that moment in our lives when we are sitting next to a total stranger on an empty bus or standing awkwardly in an elevator or countless other travel situations where chats are initiated out of the blue. Every now and then a stranger can be a friend that a person is yet to meet. However, some other times they may give off an eerie vibe and avoiding them is the best solution. Most uninvited conversations can be graciously sidestepped with a short-term answer and a brisk smile. If the strangers still insist on communicating, some tactics to deal with them while traveling should be used.
Talking on the phone
Even if a person is not receiving a call, it is a great idea to fake a call. One can also improvise and mention some threating information such as “connections to the police” or something alarming of that sort. If the stranger is in fact a criminal, sentences like this can throw them off. Talking on the phone is also a great way of completely walking away from them without having to turn back and acknowledge them in any way.
Acting unpredictable
This tactic may seem a little strange but it can be very helpful in avoiding a situation like that in the case of Amber Lynn Coplin. Nothing frightens people more than a volatile person who sends them blank expressions or chats noisily for no apparent reason. In case a stranger seems far too dangerous and overtly friendly, acting weirdly may throw him off his inner motives. It will prevent him from coming too close to you.
Becoming friendly with other strangers
In case there is one stranger constantly pestering a person, it is better for that person to include a few more strangers into the conversation if possible. Sometimes it is better to strike up a conversation with a safe stranger than face the risk of being harmed by a dangerous stranger. Doing so gets the stranger out of his comfort zone and gives the person feeling threatened more time to think about what to do next.
Acting shady
This may seem strange to some, but it is a tactic that works. Nothing repels a shady person as much as a shadier person. If a stranger is talking nonsense and coming off very shady, it can be an effective tactic to give him a taste of his own medicine.
Threatening
This is a high pressure scenario. In case a stranger is acting way too dangerously and the risk of danger that they are projecting to the victim is unbearable, the victim should start making threats. These threats should at first be basic such as, “Sir please get away from me, I do not wish to speak with you”. If these basic threats don’t work something sterner like, “I will call the police if you don’t get away from me” – these threats in a public place work perfectly.
It is important to remember that no amount of apprehension regarding acting out and using these tactics is important in such a situation. The only thing that matters is individual safety.