Yeah, if you’re enveloped in a conversation with a buddy or a girlfriend, you’re going to be less aware of your surroundings.
I’m talking about after a threat has been perceived.
Also, one instructor I trained under talked about \”brewing\” fights vs. \”spark\” fights. A mugging at an ATM is usually a spark…little or no notice. A brewing fight is like at a bar when two guys are going \”F you, no F you, no you…etc\”. The instructor made the point that, if people are smart, they can usually get out of a brewing fight (even if they rationalize not doing it later). A spark fight you can do nothing about.
Getting on a cell phone calling 911 usually stops a brewing fight.