On how NOT to get mugged in Rome

I was in the library late last night looking at photo books, admiring pretty Italian women, typing emails and didn't get home until 10:30ish. I ate dinner and tried to go out, but my phone died, thus killing my social life for the night. I opted to stay at home with a bottle of cheap Sicilian Syrah and read a book until I fell asleep.
I woke up two hours later to the door slamming and someone yelling "I GOT MUGGED!" over and over while screaming and running into the apartment. At 3 a.m., I don't care if the president's been shot, I don't want to get up. But my roommate went back outside, which made me really worried. Going after the guys who just mugged you is rarely a good idea.
It turned out he had come home from the bars late, alone, at 3 a.m. He was drunk and was on the phone with a friend pacing back and forth in front of our apartment complex door. The guys came from either side, asked him for directions, then told him to give them his passport. He said he didn't have it and tried to get inside, and the two men pushed him against the door and put a knife to his throat. I don't think they had any real intention of hurting anyone, but pretty scary nonetheless. They took his wallet, 3 credit cards and his phone, plus the 10 euro he had on him.
When they went to run, my roommate managed to grab the one guy and slug him in the face, probably breaking his nose(he's an amateur boxer). He had blood on his shirt from hitting him. I managed to get him in the apartment, call his parents and cancel everything, and then calm him down.
Now, I've only got two more continent to hit up before I can claim I've been all over, and I've been through Europe, North America, Australia and some better parts of Asia. I've never been mugged or even pick pocketed. But in case you should ever be in a foreign country, there's few things you should know.

1. Don't advertise: no one needs to know how much money you have on you or where you keep it.
2. Never go anywhere alone, especially late at night.
3. Don't get yourself in situations where you are not in control (i.e. don't get too drunk that you can't tell what's going on and/or make stupid decisions)
4. Avoid carrying all of your valuable information on you at once(like passport, credit cards, IDs, tickets, etc.). It's better to split them up to reduce your losses. If the hotel has a safe and you can trust them, use it. Be cautious of leaving things in your hotel room in the open. Close the shades so no one can see inside.
5. Don't yell things in English at proper football(soccer) games. Most of the locals won't know what you're saying and will assume the worst. In Krakow, Poland, there are two teams that play once a season. The rivalry is so fierce that after the game, the crowds meet outside with 4x4s, chains, knives, etc. and someone usually dies. No joke.
6. Always ask for help, but be cautious of those that openly give it on the street.
7. Use your head and research your destination/flight/hotel/location before you go.
8. Don't be stupid: If 3 guys in a dark alley ask you for your camera and produce a knife to convince you, give it up. It's not worth your life. Better to insure your valuables before you leave.

Check out any one of Rick Steve's travel guides for more travel tips/info. He's full of wisdom and ideas on how to travel safely and avoid bad situations.

My roommate was lucky they only pushed him on the pavement. There's a dark alley near our apartment they could've pulled him into, it could've been much worse. Say a prayer for him and don't worry about me, I'm being careful!