Most people will never take a self defense course in their life.
They will spend money on homes, vacations, cars, toys, etc but not on their own personal safety.
Why? 1) Most people have the attitude of "they will never be attacked so what's the point?".
I usually respond by saying that people who are attacked didn't expect it either.
Maybe they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
While you can control to some degree whether you might become a victim, you can't always.
2) It costs too much to take lessons.
I love this one.
You can take self defense lessons for far less than you might spend on coffees for a year.
It amazes me how we will spend thousands of dollars to lose weight and get in shape which are very important, but neither of those matter if we aren't physically safe.
3) Many people also feel when they take a self defense course, that somehow they are accepting it might happen which they can't ever imagine.
Its like, if you don't think of self defense, you will never need it.
4) Look at the size of me! What is the point of taking self defense? I won't be able to defend myself anyways.
We are all born with whatever genetics we were given.
I can't imagine not doing everything possible to make sure I had the best chance to defend myself regardless of my size, age, abilities, etc.
First of all when looking for a reality based self defense instructor look for someone who you can relate to, who doesn't intimidate or scare you, but rather has a teaching style you are comfortable with.