Reply #34: A martial arts instructor who taught self defense ...

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always advised that it was a bad idea to have valuable stuff in your purse. He suggested that a woman carry her credit cards and drivers license in a small wallet or a money belt.

He also said that it was unwise to resist if all the mugger wants is your wallet or purse. You can replace everything inside of the wallet or purse but you can't replace your life or your health. Of course, he advised women not to chase after a purse snatcher.

He did have some very effective self defense methods that could easily do a lot of damage to an attacker. He advised that you look into the eyes of the attacker as the eyes are the mirror of the soul. If you seriously believe that the attacker means to hurt or kill you, then you used the tactics he taught. He have little or nothing to lose.