Never cross the RW/UW

[mies]

My mom just shared with me the story. To me this story sounds hilarious - for 2nd day I can't stop giggling to myself when I think of it (especially since I know my mom well), and it's a perfect example of what is often meant by "strong Russian/Ukrainian woman."

My mom is 50+, ex-engineer, currently an accountant. She lives with my dad in the Ukrainian town with population of roughly 300'000. Their apartment is in the downtown, overlooking the large park. 10 minutes walk from their offices.
Recently, on a cold winter evening my mom was walking home from the office, carrying the handbag with documents/papers. She was also carrying one more item. The wooden handle for the shovel. My dad and mom planted some years ago flowering bushes in front of the apartment complex to make the building look nicer. During cold winter days they add extra snow around the bushes to protect them from frost. And it just happened so that the handle on the shovel broke, and on that memorable winter day my mom bought a new handle. And needed to carry it home. She told me she was embarrassed to carry it in her hand. So she put it in the sleeve of the shearling coat she was wearing that day. So she's walking in the park, dimly lit city park, on cold winter day (10F or colder), a 50+ yo accountant in the long shearling coat, with handbag full of papers in her right hand (and shovel handle safely hidden in her right sleeve). People who ever worn long shearling coats know that it isn't the most flexible or mobile type of apparel. Suddenly, the man jumps from the bushes to the path in front of her, and starts approaching her. And based on man's look, his intentions aren't very good. They are all alone on that path, in the dark winter park, no other people to be seen.
Now, what my mom does next?
She takes the handbag with documents into her left hand (these are important work documents, she can't afford to lose them), lets the shovel handle to slide out of her sleeve into her hand, firms the grip, raises her hand to attack the man and starts walking towards him. The man immediately fled.
I worry for my mom and for level of crime in my hometown, but i'm trying to imagine the state of that man - who was going to assault the harmless woman, and instead was nearly beaten by the shovel handle.
The photo of the typical Ukrainian shovel handle (for those who might be curious) is attached below:

[ML]

Who would ever expect a stick up the sleeve?   
A knife maybe . . . but a stick!   

[Patagonie]

If criminals are not in security in FSU now 

[GoodOlBoy]

Suddenly, the man jumps from the bushes to the path in front of her, and starts approaching her.

Very dangerous situation Mies.
I am so glad that your Mom is ok. Seriously.
This story could have ended very differently.
That is why Marina carries a 9mm Beretta with her.
 

My mom is 50+, ex-engineer, currently an accountant.

When reading your story, I wish I could say that your Mom's safety was the first thing that popped into my mind Mies..... it wasn't.
The first thing I thought was OMG, I am older than Mies Mom!
Seriously, I don't know how some of these characters on here can look at their "younger" in-laws with a straight face, knowing damn well they are nothing but a bunch of cradle robbers.
Fortunately, I married a woman whose parents are 15 years older than me and I can address them as Sir and Mam and actually mean it.
 
GOB

[Vaughn]

Love this story, Mies.
My only regret is that she didn't get close enough to whack him across his cowardly head.

[mies]

Very dangerous situation Mies.
I am so glad that your Mom is ok. Seriously.
This story could have ended very differently.
That is why Marina carries a 9mm Beretta with her.

Thank you. I also worry for her safety
Carrying the gun can be more dangerous in some situations. For example, if the attacker is drunk policeman, if she shoots the attacker who has the gun - he'll be ok. Moreover, in some cases it's hard to prove self-defense. In Moscow a young girl was convicted recently to 3 years in prison because she used air gun to defend herself and her friends from attackers with knives. The attackers had mild wounds form the air gun (nothing too dangerous), the person whom they attached have concussion, and the girl will likely spend 3 years in jail. So much for justice.

I was considering a taser, but in Ukraine only cops are allowed to own/possess tasers: on-duty or off-duty. For regular citizens it's illegal, and no permits are issued.

[GQBlues]

Any possibility of just petitioning your parent/s then mies?
 
At 50 and an accountant, she won't have too much trouble getting work when she gets here. That'll definitely also help getting her medical insurance once she lands work...

[mies]

.

[ML]

I was considering a taser, but in Ukraine only cops are allowed to own/possess tasers: on-duty or off-duty. For regular citizens it's illegal, and no permits are issued.

And, there is this . . .