There are place where it is better to have something just in case , usually it will not be needed if we behave reasonably and do not look for troubles but every country has its own law we have to go along to avoid troubles if we carry some protective stuff.
It can save the day if we realise that stuff like umbrella, walking stick ,keys placed properly in palm, rolled big calendar in shape of baton , hot chilli peper in a wee bottle could be used as protective tool in nasty situations.
I will not give you final recipe but rathe try to wider your perspective how to look on the situation.
Walking stick and umbrella are everyday useful tools and great ones to keep distance from the opponent especially useing stabbing moves , keys instal in palm between fingers create dangerous tool which can do real harm, rolled callendar made of hard paper bacomes baton which can stab or hit very hard.
But those are just a tools and knowledge how to use them is the key.
Human body has week points and it will apply to everyone. Some of them if hit with great force can damage someone's health and make ine cripple for life so keep that in mind as they say " karma is a bitch" and it apply to everyone of us. There no bad people we all makes mistakes.
Anyway we should pay attention for eyes, groin and knee ragions. Hit at those places even if gently but unexpectedly is very painful.
So now is dessert of self protection , if you keep small plastic bottle of hot sauce like chill one or other if you put it on your fingers then it is enough just to touch opponent's eyes and it will act as papper spray.
How to do that ? It will depends of the situation but be inventive and keep in mind that sometimes it is better to lost some money than life.
I encourage you to learn some basic moves of self defence , they are so simply that you will find lot of information on internet but remember that sharp mind is what really counts.
For example in some Asian countries like India ,police has great respect, mostly because of their brutality, but if you want to avoid troubles it is enough to looks like them so wearing khaki outfit and caring some wooden walking stick make you in the eyes of locals danger person just because you would look like one of police guy.
Just one of jedi mind trick :-)
But always remember to protect yourself and do not crosse the line of attacking someone if you gain the advantage as if you harm your opponent too much, most of " criminal friendly" laws will find you guilty of beating poor man who definitely did not want your harm. So after every incident it is better to disapear quickly leaving tha place or if opponent needs real help alway call the police first and report an assault on yourself and then call ambulance.
Next time will be how to speak with police or other authorities so they would take you more serious.