CO-OPTING COMMON SENSE; A GREY MAN CONCEPT

[swanson]

CO-OPTING COMMON SENSE; A GREY MAN CONCEPT

This may seem wildly boorish to point out or a re-hash of other thoughts, but too many folks don’t bother with common sense anymore.

I hate to report it, but all too often plenty of my family members are afflicted with a lack of common sense. Hell, I should include myself amongst them while I am being totally honest.

When I peer out of my own little hole and study my fellow man I see a populace at large that seems to wander around in a haze of distractions that center on “going along to get along”, but arriving nowhere.

For those following the Grey Man concepts it can be said that- to appear to be just another speck amongst the throngs of the masses is part of your craft. However, the common sense you employ sets you worlds apart from the rest…

The Grey Man uses common sense as his primary weapon and acts accordingly.

Here are a few of the basic tenets of common sense that I assert should be affixed to any Grey Man approach:

•   As the cliché goes, “The nail in the floorboard that sticks out the most is sure to be hammered down.” It is plain common sense to remain part of the backdrop and not somebody “special”. Trouble always follows those who get too much attention. Be somebody to yourself and appear to be nobody to the public.

•   “You can’t fix stupid.” – Ron White, Comedian No truer words have been spoken. You have to know when to call “a spade a spade”. Know when to speak out and when it’s common sense to not make your opinion the centerpiece of attention.

•   “If it’s smaller- eat it, if it’s bigger- run away”.” - The “Law of the jungle”, is always in operation. If given a choice, it’s just plain common sense to know when it’s appropriate to get into a fight and when to stay your hand, back off, or fight another day. Don’t let emotion, pride, or ego draw you into something you will regret later.

•   Be a “quiet professional.” When you go about your business make sure you focus on excelling at your craft and never at exposing yourself to unnecessary risk. Many decent men have been undone by the “look at me; I am way cool” approach to life. Relax into your endeavors; don’t point them out needlessly.

•   When it is “Go-time” never be half-hearted in your efforts. Supply effort on demand and be who you need to be when it counts. Common sense should tell you to never sit on the fence. Make a decision, even if it’s the wrong one, you can make a change in your course of action if needed. Know when to break from the concealment of your Grey Man posture and ACT!!!

These are just a few things that should adapt well to the grey man concept when broadly applied…

Can you add anymore?

[Lowdown3]

I've seen the whole "gray man" thing put a couple of different ways.

One is that you keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your preps, low key, etc. While I agree with this wholeheartedly, this is just Survivalism 101 type stuff, not exactly some new epiphany, sorry to sound rude but it's true.

The other way I've seen this talked about is the concept that somehow you can live amongst thousands of hungry people and not be noticed that you are the only one not losing weight because of stuff like :

1. You don't carry an assault rifle.
2. You cook inside and not talk about your food.
3. You are trying to be low key.

This concept I do NOT agree with in any way, shape or form. While camoflage is a PART of a good defense, if it's your ONLY defense, then your in dire straits IMO.

Your not going to be able to stay in your subdivision and be the only well fed person and not have the neighbors know about it. Sorry to burst some bubbles here, but it just isn't going to happen.

For the "i'll defend my subdivision with my neighbors" types- consider this- How many in your county voted wrong a little while ago? OK  I mean voted for socialism. How well do you REALLY know your neighbors? Answer, you don't. You see this all the time when there is a drug bust or someone is busted for something God awful- the neighbors are interviewed and it always goes something like this- 

"Old Mr. Smith was such a nice guy, he would lend me his weedeater and give my kids Christmas gifts, I NEVER KNEW he was capable of this!"

Furthermore- how many folks do you think are going to be unpaid mercenaries? Defend "our" subdivision will mean in there minds "defend YOUR FOOD" when they realize you have plenty to eat and they do not.

Simple rule of thumb- if your planning to try to really attempt something like this- PLAN ON FEEDING THEM. And for the "butter knife brigade" folks- don't arm them if you can't fed them.

I know it gives some nice warm and fuzzies to think that your community will "work together" in a large scale long term crisis, the reality of that is much different.

If you found a county where NO ONE received ANY form of gubmint handouts, then it MIGHT work. If you find that place let me know, I'll move there too 

Lowdown3

[swanson]

Lowdown3,

+1 man, thanks for stepping in with your comments. They are both well received and appreciated, and not considered rude in the least by me.

I introduced the Grey Man concept on the forum as a basic approach to be adapted where it makes sense to anyone's present framework.

...And I agree with your observation that this stuff is ground level input and no "epiphany" as you have commented. I posted these ideas for review and never as some revelation.

I hope that a continued review of THE BASICS  such as the Grey Man concept will spur further interest among forum members about adopting, adapting, and reviewing their survival practices, experiences, and positions.

Study and review of the fundamentals wins fights and exposes weaknesses and I assert that those interested in survival and preparedness need to constantly examine what they do.

HUMAN NATURE COMMENT

"Old Mr. Smith was such a nice guy... I NEVER KNEW he was capable of this!" - Lowdown3

I could not agree more with this observation. There's a predator deep inside everyone; Young and old.

A side note- Much to my disbelief at the time, I watched 9 and 10 year old Iraqi girls stone a puppy to death at the Safwan border crossing between Iraq and Kuwait. That seriously made me rethink what "civilized" means in certain parts of the world. It can happen here too and am sure similar things do and go unnoticed or reported.

Assumptions made about anyone like a "Mr. Smith" will get you a toe-tag.


SUSTAINMENT COMMENT

"Simple rule of thumb- if your planning to try to really attempt something like this- PLAN ON FEEDING THEM. And for the "butter knife brigade" folks- don't arm them if you can't fed them." -Lowdown3

++1, Nothing brings the predator out in people like hunger and fear. If it's not a well oiled part of your planning and stores, don't bring on more mouths to feed, and guard jealously what you do have from the public eye and knowledge; more mouths to feed will show up anyways without a big yard sign displaying your preparedness- and those "mouths" will pose a threat more often than not.

I would suggest to anyone considering a disaster/survival scenario to plan things out well in advance, war game things over and over again, and have several plans for remaining in place and having to relocate. If you don't you'll end up toast or, at best, just become another hungry refugee anyways...

Lowdow3- Thanks again for the input.

Please, what else can you add?

swanson

[ColdHaven]

One thing I think is difficult about being grey is for people like me who are military or ex-military. We are used to using this equipment, and in difficult times it is human nature to fall back on what you know and are familliar with. For example, there are thousands of kinds of BOB out there. I am familliar with a Ruck, and so that is what I chose. Now does that mean that I get everything tactical? No. I have a nice blue sleeping bag and orange tent. Some would argue that those would give me away, but one can always camoflage something...they never think that there might be a situation where they might want to be found.

You can make tactical look civvy with some creativity. Sure my ruck is olive drab, but when I put on my tent, sleeping bag and other things it looks more civvy and less likely to stand out if I were traveling.

Another way not to stand out is body language. I know some people might think this is hokey, but it is an intimate part of our psyche. When you look at people you attract their attention. There are ways of avoiding eye-contact and keeping hushed body communication. I admit that I have used this to avoid people in the past, and for what I have seen it works. It is worth looking into if you are trying to blend in to a crowd. Hiding in plain sight is possible if practiced long enough.

I think that hunger and pain are two factors that can instantly turn civilized people into animals. It will make people do things that they would never do otherwise. I have thought about keeping rations aside from my stores in case of such a circumstance. Then you could say that is all you have.

Some might not like my following idea because it seems to be dishonest. However, we are survivalists, and the purpose is to survive. There are plenty activists during tough times that did this. That is to outwardly agree with the majority while secretly being against it. It takes acting skills and the ability to put your emotions aside. It is dishonest, but it can keep you alive. Many germans did this during WWII to help keep Jews alive and safe. Adapt this philosophy to preps and supplies and it will be a further step to being grey, and could possibly save yourself and your family.

Getting back on topic though: common sense is not common. I believe this is because most people rely on people in 'authority' to tell them what they should believe. They forget that humans are animals, and a part of the eco system of this planet. They do not pay attention to their bodies, to their instincts, and they forget that intuition is merely our survival senses speaking to us. They are, in short, domesticated. Now, that being said, there is nothing wrong with enjoying civilization and its benefits, but do not rely on them. Most of them operate as if everything will always run with 100% efficiency. That is the biggest mistake that anyone or nation can make. I do not expect anything to run with 100% efficiency ever. So I am not panicked when something goes wrong. I think common sense is essentially survival sense. Most of us are too domesticated to use it half the time.

[Lowdown3]

Coldhaven said-

"Another way not to stand out is body language. I know some people might think this is hokey, but it is an intimate part of our psyche. When you look at people you attract their attention. There are ways of avoiding eye-contact and keeping hushed body communication. I admit that I have used this to avoid people in the past, and for what I have seen it works. It is worth looking into if you are trying to blend in to a crowd. Hiding in plain sight is possible if practiced long enough."

I couldn't agree more on the body language stuff. It's not hard to "gauge" someone by the way they act, even in public. Little things that add up to a total picture.

For most of us, THIS ALONE usually gives us away. The 5.11 pants or whatever, the tacticool Gunsite hat or the neat little overshirt to hide the CCW gives away as much as how the person moves, interacts with others, etc.

Great post.

Lowdown3

[archer]

Body language and how you 'project' yourself are important. The people that have trained me in martial arts repeat that, you are less likely to be accosted if you carry yourself well and do not stand out. Project an image of 'you do not want to try this'. Do no project cocky or 'challenge me'. Project 'Safer if left alone'.

[swanson]

Gentlemen,

You are definitely right. Neuro-linguistics (NLP) can be a central tool for use in personal protection. I learned quite a bit about this at ESI’s resident training course.

Body language is a central key to threat indication. Facial micro-expressions, physical emblems and gestures are all key indicators to intention; most are unconsciously produced.

Any survival oriented individual would profit from taking the time to study cognitive and emotional processes at a practical level.

People give away their real feelings and intentions all the time through their personal, physical expressions. They often happen quickly, but if you are paying attention, the expressions are certainly there…

Here’s an interesting article on facial expressions –

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070731145034.htm

Here’s a decent chart to use as a reference tool for facial micro-expressions…

http://www.dgps.de/fachgruppen/methoden/mpr-online/issue4/art3/img5.gif