my heartfelt condolence to shekher and his family. ==================================================== for all of us who used to work and/or still work in dangerous sub-/urban area of US. It is a nightmare that we have to deal with. I pray to god all the time that no one would have to go through these incidents and experience in their life. These incidents does leave a big scar on people. Personally, i feel that "Living after these brutal incidents is more horrific". i have not been able to get over couple of these incident that occurred early in my life. Too many issues........... ===================================================== my personal experience has led me to say following about hold ups or during robbery: 1. give them all the money and everything they want 2. DO NOT TRY TO BE HERO. TRY TO STAY CALM. FORGET ABOUT THE PANIC BUTTON. 3. Please make sure that you have key to the register with/on the register. Just in case "NOSALE" does not open the register there is a key to open it. 4. Most of the time these robbers are only there for money so as long as they get the money then they would get going. 5. If you cannot open the register, then tell them that and give them the change box.[i.e. money in the change box]. All convenience stores have one. 6. REMEMBER ONE THING: PROTECT YOUR INTEREST IN THIS CASE. FORGET ABOUT SAVING THE MONEY. STORE OWNERS CAN RECOUP THEIR LOSSES THROUGH INSURANCE. 7. After the incident, try counselling. Talk to your counsellor in college. you can use them for free. If they are not available police also provide some kind of counselling. Talk to them. It really helps. [ i regret not doing that before] ===================================================== [ these are some of the lessons that i have learnt through my graveyard shifts in Gas Stations and Convenience stores. ] its not only the graveyard shift when these incidents occur..... I have been held up @ 4:00PM [ broad daylight].. It depends on locality and usually abundant in urban areas. =====================================================