*Disclaimer: The advice provided is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for legal advice, psychological counseling, or law enforcement. Every situation is unique. The Other Way Martial Consulting assumes no liability for any actions taken based on this information.*
Ask Sensei: Cornered in the Parking Garage?
Published on October 20, 2025
Sensei,
I work late, and our office parking garage is mostly empty by the time I leave, usually around 8 PM. It’s always been a little creepy, but last night was different.
When I got to my car, a large, windowless van was parked right next to my driver’s side door. It was parked way too close, almost touching the line, so I couldn’t have opened my door even if I wanted to.
My gut screamed ‘NOPE’, but my logical brain said, “Don’t be silly, it’s just a bad park job.” I didn’t want to walk all the way back to the elevators, so I decided to just get in on the passenger side and climb over the console.
As I was sliding over into the driver’s seat, the van’s side door slid open with a loud thud that echoed in the garage. A guy was just sitting there on the floor of the van, not three feet from me. He didn’t get out or say anything threatening. He just smiled and said, “Hey there.”
Sensei, I’ve never moved so fast in my life. I didn’t say anything, just jammed the key in, started my car, and peeled out of that parking spot. I saw him in my rearview mirror, and he was still just sitting there.
My hands were shaking so bad I had to pull over a few blocks away. I feel like I got lucky, but I also feel like a coward because I just ran. What is the ‘right’ way to handle that? Should I have gone back to the office to get security? What if he had gotten out of the van?
— Night Shift Nerves
Sensei’s Response:
Night Shift Nerves,
Let’s be perfectly clear about one thing: You are not a coward. You are a survivor. The feeling of cowardice comes from the conflict between your logical brain and your primal instincts. Your instincts were right, and your action—running (or in this case, driving away)—was the 100% correct decision that resulted in your safety. You didn’t just get lucky; you reacted decisively when it mattered most.
Now, let’s break down the situation so you can feel more prepared and in control next time. The incident didn’t start when the van door opened. It started the moment you saw the van.
Phase 1: The Approach (The Prevention Phase)
This is where your instincts screamed at you, and this is the most important lesson. A windowless van parked intentionally close to your driver’s side door in an empty garage is not “just a bad park job.” It is a massive collection of red flags. This is a classic predator tactic known as creating an “ambush point.” By blocking your primary access, they force you into a vulnerable, alternative action.
The Proactive Solution: Your gut was right. The moment you saw that setup, the correct response was to trust your instincts without question. Do not approach your car. Turn around immediately, walk back to the elevators, and go directly to the security office or call them from a safe place. Report a suspicious vehicle blocking your car. You are not inconveniencing them; you are doing their job for them. Let security escort you or watch on camera as the situation is handled.
Phase 2: The Decision (The Action Phase)
You decided to get in the passenger side. While resourceful, this action put you in a position of extreme vulnerability. Climbing over a console means you are off-balance, distracted, and trapped inside your car without being in control of it. You essentially walked right into the ambush. His trap worked perfectly.
The Proactive Solution: Had you followed the advice in Phase 1, you never would have reached this point. Never trade safety for convenience. The long walk back to the elevator is a small price to pay for your life.
Phase 3: The Confrontation (The Escape)
The van door opened. He smiled. He said, “Hey there.” This is a test. He’s using a calm, disarming approach to see if you will freeze or comply. Your response—immediate, decisive escape—was perfect. You gave him no time to escalate. Fleeing is not cowardice; it is the most intelligent and effective self-defense strategy available.
“What if he had gotten out?” If he had gotten out and moved to block your path while you were in the car, the situation would have escalated to a direct physical threat. At that point, your car is your greatest weapon. A car horn draws immense attention. And if you truly fear for your life, driving through the threat to escape is a justifiable last resort.
You handled the final, most dangerous part of the encounter perfectly. The key takeaway is to listen to that initial internal alarm. It’s not being paranoid; it’s your built-in threat detection system. Trust it, act on it immediately, and you will prevent the situation from ever reaching the point of no return.