Pretty much, in #1 any other response would definitely get the cashier killed. A knife to the neck is an extremely touchy position to be in as even just tripping can lead to death or permanent injury.

In two, either run or just give them whatever they want. If they don't leave you alone after that, you're fucked to begin with no matter what you do.

#3 call the police, if there isn't any reason to believe that pulling your own weapon is the only option, the correct option is calling the police. And really, even if you do have a weapon and pull it, the correct answer is still calling the police damn near immediately.
Precisely, last few times I was in those sorts of situations I was stone cold, so I could probably get away with using firearms. (Although, obviously not in China :-P ) But, I've found that I've never actually needed one as just giving the person what they wanted has always been the correct answer. I don't carry a lot of money or valuables, so even if they aren't caught I'm not out too much. Certainly less than taking somebody's life or potentially losing mine.

Now, if ones back is literally to a wall, that's a completely different matter. Occasionally people don't get to just give the person whatever.

Situation 1 and 3 I would rather flight since I dont have weapons handling training under my belt. Trying fight would be dangerous for the victim and me ( I dont carry cell phone so I would not be able to call 911 I could only ask someone else for help).. Situation 2 happened to me and fight was the only possible outcome (I was waiting for bus at that time).

Do they have firearms where you are? Around here the only violent crime is various melee weapons as nobody has any guns. I can't recall the last time I even saw one in person, not even being carried by a police officer.

Just curious, I know it's a hypothetical answer to a hypothetical question.

1: Make sure I get a good look at the perpetrator so I can give a proper description to police when they arrive.

2: Run, if I'm cornered then go through one of them as quickly and brutally as possible, then run. Follow it up with a call to the police.

3: Stay out of sight and call the police.

EDIT: These are simply what I would do as a hypothetical. The actual answer to what anyone would do in those situations only comes when they're actually in those situations. There's lots of variables that can tip it one way or the other.

Hide in the shadows, sneak up, and blackjack.

If you're detected, hide in the shadows, wait for them to forget about it, then blackjack.

Hypothetical Situation 1: If it is possible to get out of the store and run away, I'll do that. If it is not possible, I'll stand still, not try to get into the fight at all.

Hypothetical Situation 2: Run, probably better to run back to the club (where I assume there will be more people) rather than back to my house. Scream for help too.

Hypothetical Situation 3: Alert a police if one is nearby, or alert nearby people.

So basically, FLIGHT, not FIGHT. I am no hero anyway, that's why I am trying to be a hero in videogames :-)

#1: Find something heavy and whack the bastard on the back of the head, or at least on his knife arm.

#2: Um... throw my wallet into the air and run.

#3: Make sure I'm not seen, and call 911.

I have seen some people with guns but they can be only props or something like that. I happend like 2 or 3 times during last 2 years. Most of the crimes I hear about in China are committed with melee weapons.

When I was answering I was thinking more about Poland where I used to live. The most dangerous situation that happened to me in China was crossing the street for the first time.

I've seen those as well as the "tazers" but as a foreigner, I'm especially mindful not to be associated with anything that looks dangerous. In the small towns I usually live in, I'm automatically suspicious for being a foreigner. Never mind being an American foreigner.

And I hear you about the streets. My main concern about leaving the PRC alive is being run over by a car or falling into a manhole with an improperly fitted cover.

Violent crime tends to be rare. A mugger might cut you up a bit if you don't give them enough money, but it's highly unlikely that they would leave you with anything that couldn't be readily fixed with minor plastic surgery. Not like in some other places in the world where they'd kill you either way.

In practice, I feel safe going out at night, as long as I exercise some judgment.

for #3 I'd stealth closer and wait until the moment the guy was mugged then swoop in to "save" him with a throat chop from behind. Loot the mugger for the spoils that now happen to include the victim's stuff and still be the hero.

Like the wind.

1) Look for something big heavy and try to knock the robber out.Yeah i know im kinda daring that way LOL.
2) Unless i knew and was confident in some martial art etc i will would probably try to make a run for it (i rather if ever drink - you never mentioned being drunk hehe).
3) Call 000 (our equivalent to 911) and yell out to the mugger to stop it (while looking for cover in case he decided to try shooting me)

1) Call the cops, sneak up behind and do a ninja choke. I leave the scene so no one can identify me.

2) Drop a specialized flash/stun-grenade I built myself then choke them all out then call the police. When I can see the police arrive from my phone I get the away from there so the perpetrators can't find me.

3). Call the cops, sneak up behind an do a ninja choke. Then I would shoot my own legs, then the perpatrator in the heart then give the gun to the would-be victim and when the cops arrive we claim it was self defense. We both survived and one less scum off the street.

It's all about sneaking so the fckers can't find your identity. Superhero style but instead of just a mask you attack and disappear before they had any clue of what was going on.

In all seriousness though I've no idea, I would probably improvise to try and get the best outcome as possible. However, I would probably never step up myself throwing my life in on the line unless I feel like I can make difference because it makes no sense trying to be a hero helping someone then you get yourself killed and the one you tried to help. In the 2nd situation, am I drunk and the perpetrators all pack heat and surround you? What are you going to do? Scream, run, fight it doesn't matter. If they just want to fck you up then slipping a story or talking won't help either.

1) Back off, let the guy do his business and leave - try to memorize details details. And ofcourse call the cops asap its possible. I dont want to fight against someone with knife, even if they dont how to use - or especially then. They'll just stab you to death and not even think about, atleast while doing it.

2) Back off, look for a chance to run away - you dont fight with group of people. If they would try to get hold of me or something, id try "moves" that give me chance to put some distance and run away - meaning stun. Kick to groin, crush foot table with your heel if they are too close (ive got pretty heavy boots usually) ..its all about circumstance ofcourse. But no wrestling, not getting stuck in slug out -> run like wind on first oportunity.

3) If I am not seen, back around corner or what ever and call the police. You dont argue with gun. The guy would shoot me or the one being mugged quite likely, if he got scared of me doing something unexpected. _> basicly the same as in 1).


X) Ive actually once stopped someone running away from the police and held him until the cops came to put him in cuffs. -> So just you know, you shouldnt come to spray paint "gang" tags in my neighborhood ;)

ps Ive got (antique and dusty) blue belt in Sin Moo Hapkido.

I'm gonna go with option 3 because it's been there, done that situation for me.

First of all, many don't realize what serious threat firearms are. A single click could potentially (and will) result in loss of a life so you should take utmost care when you are dealing with such situation.

Now to the real situation, I would never try to directly solve the conflict, if the mugger is alone, he most probably would want to get the money and run away. He is probably nervous and he is more afraid of the situation than the person who is being mugged. I would never suggest you walking up to the and introducing yourself to the situation. This might shock the mugger and in a moment of panic he might accidentally fire his weapon, resulting in a catastrophe.

I would also recommend against sneaking up to the mugger, chances are even if you succeed to do so, you won't have the physical strength or knowledge of disarming him. Also bear in mind that knocking out someone is rarely and option as you would need a blunt object (not always available) and besides that bear in mind that in the future it could come back to bite you as in many countries (US, UK etc.) the mugger could sue you for assault.

I would suggest to simply complying with the mugger (in case it is you) and later inform the authorities or walk away as fast as you can from the place someone is being robbed and call the cops on them.