# Digging your own grave at gun point. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 3, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840 "2010-06-03T21:44:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/41 "2010-06-05T01:52:27Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > What a delightful topic for a poll. > > Anyway does this really happen that much outside of fiction? > > Giving someone you want to kill a shovel is really a pretty bad idea for the sake of saving yourself a bit of manual labor, but it makes for great TV because of the emotional stakes involved. Next poll: have you ever had to dig your own grave. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/42 "2010-06-05T05:26:00Z")
Aren’t there some people that believe one’s soul won’t rest without burial? I’d think they’d prefer to do the diggin’… ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/43 "2010-06-05T05:48:03Z")
Agreed with “dig” just for the sake of having a weapon in my hands. I’d rather go out swinging. Of course, I’m so out of shape that I would probably have a stroke before I finish digging. Other than that, refusing to dig will ensure that your last moments will probably include either a worst-case scenario ass-kicking or a bullet somewhere you don’t want it. I’ve had my ass kicked before. I didn’t like it much. I’d rather take the bullet or take out my attackers, but not exactly in that order. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/44 "2010-06-05T06:06:53Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I’m fighting back unless they say the line from _The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly_, in which case I’m going peacefully. I’m shocked and dismayed no one has posted it yet. \*You see, in this world there’s two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig. \*–Blondie ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/45 "2010-06-05T06:12:31Z")
This exact situation came up in a novel I just read. During the Spanish Civil War, three guys were marched out to the countryside to be executed and one refused to dig. So the killers got some banderillas and baited the guy to death. I think it goes without saying that if you refuse to dig, your demise is going to be painful, if they don’t just shoot your kneecaps out and bury you alive. I’d rather dig than go out like that. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/46 "2010-06-05T07:26:56Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > This exact situation came up in a novel I just read. > > During the Spanish Civil War, three guys were marched out to the countryside to be executed and one refused to dig. So the killers got some banderillas and baited the guy to death. > > I think it goes without saying that if you refuse to dig, your demise is going to be painful, if they don’t just shoot your kneecaps out and bury you alive. I’d rather dig than go out like that. This. The more likely scenario is ‘dig and you get a clean shot to the back of the head, refuse and you get one in each knee and the stones, writhe around while we dig, and then we throw you in the pit still alive.’ I’d likely dig and try to watch for an opening. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/47 "2010-06-05T09:55:22Z")
If I were convinced that I was going to be killed anyway, I’d take a shot at him with the shovel. I’d get a bullet to the head, but he’d get a spade to the nutsack. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/48 "2010-06-05T09:59:13Z")
I may also submit a polite-but-firm request for a backhoe. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/49 "2010-06-05T15:41:14Z")
I always sort of assumed I would be the guy with the gun. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/50 "2010-06-05T15:57:07Z")
I once worked for a company that merged with another, and I was allowed two weeks of continued employment as I trained my replacedment (the son of one of the new owners). Now that I read this thread, I do wish I’d hit him with a shovel. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/51 "2010-06-05T17:28:47Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I always sort of assumed I would be the guy with the gun. “ **msmith537** was the kind of guy that rooted for bad guys in the movies.” Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/52 "2010-06-06T22:09:53Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I’m fighting back unless they say the line from _The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly_, in which case I’m going peacefully. Perhaps if they gave me the option between a shot in the head and one in the gut (or the arse, which is worse apparently) I might go quietly. But then how do I know that the easy option would be the one they choose after I’ve dug. Fight I guess, more chance of success than knuckling under. Either that or yell “Treasure!” when I’m a few spadefuls in, that might distract them a little. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/53 "2010-06-06T22:56:21Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Anyone consider that if you didn’t dig, they’d just make it harder-like put a bullet in your foot… then your kneecap… and so on? I kinda think that I’d either dig or make one big grandiose gesture of resistance that I’d get shot immediately. Yep, that’ was my first thought. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/54 "2010-06-07T04:32:48Z")
I’d start digging and then, after a while, pretend that I’d struck something hard. It’s treasure! We’re rich! And then when he comes over to look, I’d explain that the Earth is truly our greatest treasure. He’d either shoot me in the head quickly or let me go. Okay, he’d probably just shoot me in the head. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/55 "2010-06-07T05:57:40Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > In an episode of Criminal Minds, Spencer Reid started digging the grave, then acted like he was too weak to finish it. The sociopathic, if incredibly stupid, criminal put down the gun and grabbed the shovel. Then Reid, being the FBI guy he is, picked up the gun and shot him. Actually if that scene played out exactly as you mentioned.. in real life he would get in a shitload of trouble for a bad shoot. Once the bad guy put the gun down and Reid recovered it.. the bad guy was no longer a eminent threat.. Its like a question I ask my rookies.. if someone confronted you with a knife and threw it at you.. what would you do.. they usually all say they would shoot. I point out that once the knife is thrown the bad guy no longer is a threat you can use deadly force on.. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/56 "2010-06-07T19:41:43Z")
If ever a thread cried out for a “need answer fast” in the op … 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/57 "2010-06-07T21:15:19Z")
I’d dig. and the whole time I was digging I’d be talking. If it seemed like talking wouldn’t get me anywhere then eventually I’d throw some dirt and run. That ought to get me enough of a head start to have an even chance of avoidign a bullet. No telling how far I could run htough - I’m really out of shape. Bottom line, time is precious and more so as you move on. An hour of digging for one more hour of time? You got it! ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/58 "2010-06-08T03:02:12Z")
I’d agree to dig. Then, I’d tell the guy that if he promises not to kill me, I’ll even stick around and help him shovel the dirt over my corpse. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/59 "2010-06-08T03:26:48Z")
I couldn’t help thinking of this punchline: [“Here’s your fucking canoe!”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4912644&postcount=5) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2010, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840/60 "2010-06-08T06:40:03Z")
Of course I would agree to dig my own grave, to buy time to figure a way out. It’s exactly the same as the parable of the man who promised to teach a horse to sing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digging-your-own-grave-at-gun-point/541840.md?page=2)