^^ This.
The most dangerous time is when you are approaching your car to get in. Distracted with keys, overloaded with bags, etc. It's easy to let down your guard and be in White. Don't let this happen.
Cases in point: Twice in the last week my significant other and myself have been "surprised" by someone way too close, way too fast, in parking lots after shopping. Both times these were panhandlers, one a well dressed young woman asking for a dollar, and the second time a less well dressed man asking for the same thing. Their MO is to be at a car about five cars away from their mark, who they are watching approach, and then to intercept the mark, behaving as if they have just left their own car and are walking to the store just like anyone else. They walk past the rear of the parked car, turn into the lane, and panhandle. If you have the door open you cannot retreat past it if it's almost touching the car next to you, and they are standing blocking your exit towards them. When boxed in the tunnel like between two cars you are absolutely vulnerable. The real world solution each time was me putting left hand out, palm forward, and stating loudly "NO" while making eye contact and preparing to present arms. Keep your right hand free at all times.
Now:
In the cases above, I had seen and identified the goblins 50 feet away and had them under watch, and was in Orange as they approached. I let them come close for two reasons: (1) they might just have been shopping, and in case they were not to (2) have a teaching moment for my significant other, who's just begun to carry. Question to her post-contact: "When did you see them?" Answer: "Uhh... when they asked for money". "Where did they come from" .. "I don't know, they just appeared from noplace". Yup: Condition White. That's WAY too late.
I must confess that I was "less diligent" with the approach of the well dressed young woman. She looked just like any other well dressed affluent college kid walking into the mall. In the end she was just a panhandler, not a carjacker, but the point should be taken: Camouflage works. The shaggy haired "flannel shirt in the desert sun" male was quickly ID'd as not fitting the scene, but she blended in far better.
One lesson to take away is to park much further out in the parking lot, where you have more freedom to maneuver, more opportunity to see and avoid, and where others aren't casually "just walking past you on their own way into the store". Park if possible where you can leave a space (at least) between your car and the next one over. If there aren't any cars parked out past you, there's no reason for anyone to be approaching you. Remember that this tactic generally requires that they walk TOWARDS the store from cars further out in the lot, and they will not hesitate to approach even if you are very close to the store, with many other people present. Nobody else walking by sees a thing, as they are shielded from view by a car on two sides, and open door on one side, and their own body on the 4th side of the box. Keep that box open on at least two sides. If they need to work for it, they usually don't bother. And you'll get more exercise walking to the store as a bonus.
If you can't park out in the lot, always back into your parking spot. At the very least you can block an approach from the most common approach angle with your door, and if you need to "dive and drive" you are in a better tactical spot to do so. As a bonus you'll be less likely to back into Grandma as she walks behind your car on her own way into the store.
Willie
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