When people talk about "situational awareness", are they talking about: - Avoid trouble, or - Afraid of facing trouble? I just killed a snake in my bath tub the other day. To avoid trouble, I could let that snake to move freely inside my house. To face the problem, I have to kill it so it won't hurt my 2 lb Yorkie.
It just a habit that helps you see what's going on around you. No one thing is the golden key to situational awareness. They just help. You know what's even better? Keep your face out of your freak'n phone in public. As for everyone having their backs to the wall being awkward... It'll never happen. It is simply an advantage when the treat comes, and so is knowing martial arts but not everyone takes them up.
I think most chat about situational awareness is lip service. I dont think there are many people who even know what they are looking for..if they are looking at all. I would guess someone like @drop bear in a bar setting can see the situation developing long before,, while everyone else is completely unaware.
I used to teach it by telling the students to play a game. Get a partner and go to the mall. Sit and watch the people. Point out to each other who potential victims were if you were going to mug someone. That simple act of observation grows and you find yourself watching everyone and identifying them as victim, neutral or threat. It's nothing overt like giving them an eagle glare, it's just actually seeing what you look at. And put the phone away!!! You can't see the world if you're staring at that damn phone!123