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Fashion designer Aya Tsukioka has designed an anti-rape/mugging dress. And sadly, it only works in theory. The concept and motivation is good, but it seems that it would serve better as a costume than as an actual crime deterrent.

As the image above shows, the skirt doubles as a vending machine in a stitch. The only problem is: if you see a potential rapist/mugger, chances are they see you. It's going to be a bit difficult to transform (into a vending machine) without being noticed.

My advice: take a self defense class, carry pepper spray (if it's legal where you are), and keep your head held high.

What do you think of this as a crime prevention method? Have you come across any products that you think are actual crime deterrents?

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Those of you who have taken the Fung Wah bus from New York to Boston (or vice versa) know it's a harrowing experience at best, but if you keep your head down and are lucky enough to get a seat to yourself, you should be just fine. That is, if you don't have an "Armani" sitting behind you.

On these trips between home and school I would do my homework. And that's what I was doing this day. It was only after I had turned off my light and was attempting to sleep did Armani make initial contact. He didn't want to disturb my work. How considerate.

He tapped me on the shoulder, he needed a pen. Armani woke me up because he needed a pen. Okay, I could deal with that. I handed back the pen, fully expecting to doze off again. But Armani had other plans. Once he asked me where I was from, I knew he hadn't needed that pen. I wanted to snatch it out of his hand and bizarrely, I wanted to call him Pinocchio. I refrained. Until he took it one step further.

"Can I come visit you at school?" The answer was obviously no, no, and no. But instead I said, "You're free to go wherever you want (Pinocchio)." He pushed, "Yes, but I haven't been invited." This was my cue to say, "And you never will be," grab my pen, and fall asleep immediately. I wasn't facing him, I could have easily transitioned into a slouch--making it impossible for him to speak to me between the space in the chairs. But I missed my opportunity. And then this happened:

Armani: Do you have a Boyfriend?
Bianca: Yes.
Armani: How are you getting home?
Bianca: My mom is picking me up.
Armani: Oh, P.Diddy treatment.

Yes, Armani, I too see the striking similarities between P.Diddy and myself. To this day, I get anxious when picking a seat--who might be lurking waiting to strike? If only Armani, if that's his real name, and quite frankly I don't think it is, had known what I'm about to tell you: Sometimes you need to recognize you're spitting game at the wrong person. You obviously misread the situation, cut your losses, and make a quick exit.


Have you ever been a situation like this? How do you avoid unwanted advances?