Avoid These 10 Things During a Burglary

really need to waste your valuable time in explaining what the term burglary means. We all know what it means. A man of no discernible age finds it easier to break into homes or businesses belonging to other hard-working people just to get away with a stash of loot. And no, I will not waste your time going into philosophical or judicial meanings of loot.

I am going to make a statement that unless you read it carefully, you just might be offended. "In a case of severe poverty, near-starvation, I can understand the fear that grips these types of burglars who only steal food, not money or jewels in order for them and their kids to survive."

Yes, there is that argument that says that people in this depressing state could get a job at some fast food joint and not resort to crime--but a person does not and cannot know what they will do unless they are faced with such a dreadful thing as starvation.

condoning or promoting burglary be it breaking into places or the dangerous form of burglary entitled: Armed robbery, so do not get angry at me. I am just attempting to present the possible reasons that some burglars resort to stealing in order to live.

You and I have been conditioned on things we can do to prevent burglars from breaking into our homes and businesses, but now I want to give you "Avoid These 10 Things During a Burglary."

that you and your wife are relaxing in your living room enjoying an interesting show on television and not having a care in the world. You and your wife are the most popular couple in your neighborhood. You have a lucrative job. You and your wife are members of an exclusive country club and your bills are all paid with money to spare.

But in a split second this perfect atmosphere is shattered when you hear the awful sound of your bedroom window being broken by who you think is a young hoodlum committing a bit of mild vandalism (to prove his manhood), but upon investigation, you come face-to-face with a burly middle-aged man wearing a mask, black clothing, and holding a .45 automatic in his right hand.

You are at a very serious crossroads right now. In order to save your life and that of your wife, you have to know what not to do for the stakes couldn't be higher.

Do not . . .

10.) Start screaming like a frightened little girl. This will scare the burglar and in the moment of sudden fear, he might fire the gun in order to silence you. Yes, this is a scary time, but keep your mouth shut tightly as possible.

9.) Start spouting off brave threats. Why? The burglar as you recall is armed. Not you. He is the boss and in total control. Speak only when spoken to and maybe he will leave as soon as he cleans you out of any loose cash, jewels, and credit cards. If you cannot be meek, act meek.

8.) Be stubborn when the burglar tells you and your wife to get on the floor. Just by you following his first order will prove to him that you pose no threat to him and he will rob you then leave you alive.

7.) Start pleading with the burglar (with the gun) to not shoot you or the wife. From all of the real police and detective documentaries that I have watched on Discovery Channel, odds are he is not wanting to make his rap sheet more serious by adding an assault with a firearm to this burglary that he is committing. Stay quiet. Lay face-down on the floor and keep your eyes shut.

6.) Start sneaking around to make a phone call to the police. The thing for you to do when you know that he is armed is tell him that you have a cell phone and you are handing it to him. He will trust you for in a psychological sense, you are in control with this one action than he is with a gun.

5.) Get down on your knees with your arms held high in the air. Sure this move will not only show the burlglar that you are in fear for your life, but might entice his primal nature to surface and do other vile things to you and the wife. If you must, stand up with your arms raised to show him that you are in surrender to him and his orders.

4.) Start trying to negotiate your own release. Only professional police negotiators can handle this. You sell insurance for a living and you have absolutely no training in the field of negotiating with a burglar. Good things for you to keep in mind.

3.) Make small talk. This is ignorant. The burglar only wants your prized possessions, not to be your new best friend. And please, do not offer him a cup of hot cocoa served with sugar wafers. Do you really want him to laugh at you in a hysterical manner?

2.) Act as tough as Bruce Willis' character, "John McClain," in his Die Hard films. Any professional burglar can see right away you are as scared as a cricket in a room filled with bullfrogs--with sweat rolling off of your head plus your hands shaking wildly. I know this may not make any sense, but in the case of armed robbery, be yourself. Do not waste the burglar's time with foolish acting.

1.) Try to be a he man and take the burglar down with a few Judo moves that you saw your body-building buddy, "Mark," perform a couple of months ago. Odds are this burglar has been in places that are so dangerous it would make you faint if you stopped at one of these places to ask directions, so just do what the burglar says the first time. The burglar can afford a ticket in the finest of movie theaters to see plenty of he man action films with the cash and credit cards he is taking from you.

There is an old saying that says, "it's not what you do, but what you don't do that makes a difference," and now you know that this old saying is very true.

I hope that you are never the victim of a break in or armed robbery, but if you are the victim of the latter, now you know what not to do.

Good night, Little Rock, Arkansas.

You can Follow the Advice in This hub or do What Actor, Liberal, and Activist, Alan Alda would do During a Burglary

And that would be to simply relax and try to remain calm not irritating or provoking the burglar in any way. Just relinquish everything in your home that you have worked for over the years and the things are what you enjoy looking at and using to make your life more easier. It is your choice. Follow what Alan "Hawkeye Pierce" Alda would do, or take my advice. It's up to you.