A friend of mine was in Amsterdam a couple of years back ( she's a very slightly built lady, 5' nothing and very slender) whilst walking down a street with her mother and sisters a bloke over six foot tried to grab her handbag....he targeted her as she probably looked the most vulnerable, being a wee gal n all......anyway there was no way on earth she was letting go of her handbag and she held on to it while he dragged her along the street , her flailing around and screaming and shouting, he eventually let go and ran off and she was left with a very sore arm for weeks. She may only be a slight lady but she has trained in martial arts and is very strong in mind and body, and there was no way he was getting her bag!

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a couple of years back my eldest sister was in bed one afternoon taking her daily 'catch up' nap, when she heard a bit of banging and shuffling at first she thought it was the window cleaner , but then the noise continued so she half asleep walked down stairs to discover two burglars in her front room!! one was a big bloke over six foot the other was a short stocky grubby looking lady......well my sister flipped!!!! her fight response kicked in immediately and she went straight for them ranting and screaming and managed to push them out of her home then phone the police!.... she had recenly split up from her hubby of 20 years and had wondered how she might cope if a situation like the one she found herself in ever arose, well it's fair to say that she would not be a shrinking violet ! ahahah...after a couple of days the reality of the situation kicked-in and she started thinking they could have had a knife or anything....but the truth of the matter is, when faced with a situation like these, most people just act instinctively the fight or flight response kicks in and we act accordingly....

good post Sharon. Two good outcomes, i'm glad of that.

From a personal protection perspective, with someone looking to steal handbag, or any possesion, best to let them take it. it's really not worth getting beat up, or killed over such things. and a crime can turn violent pretty quickly

With walking in on burglars. again, with one female against two males. males are physically usually stronger, and more agressive than females. no sexism here, only reality. with the smaller weaker female being outnumbered, it is best not to bring the situation to violence on purpose. unless the act of theft/burglary, changes to one of physical assult on the house owner.

Just really important to highlight thse points, as well,

well logically thinking what you say is right, but one does not put logic and rationality ( is that even a word?) into practice when faced with these situations on spec, one just acts instinctively....I'd do exactly the same I'm sure, if I came down stairs to someone in my home, I'd freak out and go for them... how many times have we seen a vulnerable kid ( or adult for that matter) being bullied? my immediate instincts have always been to charge in and help, then think later. Action then thought.. maybe thats not the 'ideal' way, but it's my way ahahah

you're quite right, folks will act instinctivly.