How do I avoid being gored by a bull?

Question

I'm going to the famous Pamplona Bull Run next year in Spain, where members of the public run through the back streets of Pamplona while being chased by a herd of crazed bulls.
How do I escape being gored? My Spanish contact has told me to wear a bright red scarf, and if a bull suddenly charges, to wave the scarf at the bull.

Answer 1

It's great to see people who arent swayed by the current politically correct "I'm right you're wrong look how immoral you are" brigade. You go to that event as people have done for generations and dont ever let anyone force their "caring sells" beliefs on you. Getting gored would be a risk you may have to take. I would ensure you are fit enough to sprint and flexible enough to dodge - and smart enough to stay a safe distance from the action. Enjoy buddy!

Answer 2

Your spanish contact has a rather sick sense of humor. Yeah, wear a bright red scarf and wave it, you'll be as the saying goes "like a red rag to a bull". But hey, you'll be helpful to everybody else there. The bull will be heading straight for you and possibly save someone else ;)

Not sure why they even have such an event, people really get what they deserve when they participate in something this dangerous. The sport of allowing an enraged animal to rampage through the streets and then run from it, all on purpose is asking for it. I can imagine the adrenaline rush and the thrill of it in one respect as actually being there, you'd get caught up in it, but when considering it, it's kind of insane. But, in saying that, it's one of those unusual customs that have gone down through the generations.

I don't like the fact that there is any deliberate cruelty to animals though, but obviously if just allowing a lot of crazed bulls to rush through the streets, it's not exactly cruel, just irritating to the bull and dangerous to the runner..which is the entire point of course.

Answer 3

In Castillian Spain, bull fights are a bit one-sided. The bull has horns but he has to contend with half a dozen trained humans armed with swords and lances. The Basques have found a fairer way to fight bulls. They let them chase a gang of unarmed yobbos through the streets and they get to gore those who are too slow or too drunk. What's more, to save their own peole from injury, they use foreigners.

So come on - where's your sense of fair play? Get pissed and get gored and give the video camera wielding yanks something to show the folks back home.

Answer 4

Bulls are colour-blind so a Rangers scarf would do just as well.Stay at home but if you must go,make sure you can run faster than the bull or at least faster than the people running with you.

Answer 5

Well, tell him some good cow jokes and show him some pictures of matadors being attacked by bulls. Take a few snaps of some randy cows doing the business in the open air. You could ask him what kind of ring tones he likes on his phone. Er, loads of stuff really. If he is half the fun I think he is you won't be bored at all.

Answer 6

The simple yet effective answer to this is to wear stilts. When the bulls come charging down the street, they will safely pass through your stilts and you get the added bonus of having a birds eye view of the action. Hey presto bull running the safe way.

Answer 7

Okay ~ the scarf actually attracts them. That's why the matador has one ~ so he can dazzle the crowd.

If you don't want to be gored, look out a window on the street that it is being held on.

Good luck! Have fun! And be safe!

Answer 8

Don't take part in the bull run or stand in front of a bull. that is the best way to not get gored.

Answer 9

Wow! My hero! Do you want to practice with me? You can be the bull and I will wave the scarf.

Answer 10

if you want to avoid being gored, then just avoid being around a pissed off bull. If you get too close to the bull, then you deserve what you get.