There’s a lot of justified angst within the prepping community that whilst we’re putting ourselves in a better position should anything happen, this could also make us targets for those who haven’t. Obviously there are a lot of thing you can do reduce the risk of that happening but I think one of the most basic is blend in with the crowed, which brings us onto the concept of the gray man.
There’s quite a bit of writing been done on the subject, but as with all things survival related it suffers that perennial tarnish of being ‘too American’. Also I think while most of the articles are pretty good, they seem to totally focus on clothing and equipment. Which is fair enough, but how you talk act and walk are all important too, as they say the devils in the detail. Most people are surprisingly apt at picking up on body language, so your choice of cloths could be shit hot, but subconsciously you’re shouting that you’ve got something to hide.
Interestingly too the term is used by to illustrate how their troops should behave during interrogation. I pretty sure the phrase is ‘neither submissive nor aggressive’ which explains itself really. If they’re belligerent they’ll probably get singled out for attack, where as if they seem too obliging they may well be seen as the weak link. I think that’s well worth consideration for our purposes because most people are naturally ‘cowards’, if they’re going to rob someone or whatever, they’ll probably make some attempt to scope them out, and pick an appropriately weak target. Whilst if they come across someone who appears to be a bit of an ‘hard case’, they may well see them as a threat.
So what’s everyone think?
Being the Gray Man or Woman
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Red Doe
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
I think there are other factors which single us out for targets too...for example, I'm older, and a woman, an 'obvious' target. Ok, so I have two crossbows, a recurve, a bundle of reenactment weapons and a temper, but they won't know that. 
And, I live in an area where pretty much everyone preps, simply by dint of the winter weather.
One very disturbing thing is that crime is increasing here, with, sad to say, incomers. Opportunistic thefts of tools, fuel, etc, are happening, along with property damage.
So we learn like others have 'doon sooth', to lock doors, add security, and not be so trusting of newcomers. A sad fact of life in stressful times.
And, I live in an area where pretty much everyone preps, simply by dint of the winter weather.
One very disturbing thing is that crime is increasing here, with, sad to say, incomers. Opportunistic thefts of tools, fuel, etc, are happening, along with property damage.
So we learn like others have 'doon sooth', to lock doors, add security, and not be so trusting of newcomers. A sad fact of life in stressful times.
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bulldogeagle
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
whilst i live in a semi rural area, with little or no crime(everyone knows who are locals, so strangers get noticed easily), in recessions and times of high unemployment(NOW) thefts from farms and rural businesses go UP.
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Panther
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
Firstly I don't talk to anyone other than my OH and daughter plus one close friend (another prepper) about my prepping activities. I don't express thoughts on TSHTF scenarios or the likelihood of bank collapses, civil unrest etc., with anyone else.
I don't wear army surplus camouflage gear. I don't drive a 4x4 or have large radio aerials on top of the car or house. I always try to look and sound quite ordinary and not draw attention to myself.
I don't always buy extra provisions in the same place, just a little here and there. I always pay cash.
Hopefully if ever TSHTF no one will realize what I am about and what resources I have stashed away.
Having said all that, I'm still a long way off being fully stocked and prepared; there's still much more I would like to do; I just hope that it will never be needed.
I don't wear army surplus camouflage gear. I don't drive a 4x4 or have large radio aerials on top of the car or house. I always try to look and sound quite ordinary and not draw attention to myself.
I don't always buy extra provisions in the same place, just a little here and there. I always pay cash.
Hopefully if ever TSHTF no one will realize what I am about and what resources I have stashed away.
Having said all that, I'm still a long way off being fully stocked and prepared; there's still much more I would like to do; I just hope that it will never be needed.
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
Staying grey is difficult. I live in the centre of a semi rural village. My neighbours KNOW I burn wood 'cos I am always having trees dropped off by mates. And the chainsaw is always going!They can see the veg garden,the poultry and rabbits. I DO sneak supplies in though. Trouble is they are all non preppers-at least I think they are.
In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost.
Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.
Me.
Robert Frost.
Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.
Me.
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preppingsu
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
If everyone was a grey man then you might never know!!!jansman wrote:Staying grey is difficult. I live in the centre of a semi rural village. My neighbours KNOW I burn wood 'cos I am always having trees dropped off by mates. And the chainsaw is always going!They can see the veg garden,the poultry and rabbits. I DO sneak supplies in though. Trouble is they are all non preppers-at least I think they are.
Yep, we try to be like this as well. We live in a small complex that used to be a farm, only 4 properties. They joke we are like Tom and Barbara off The Good Life. We just smile and agree! But we keep on prepping behind closed doors.
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bulldogeagle
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
apart from OH who is in full agreement with what i do, only other person who knows is S I L and with her it goes in one ear and out the other! none of the neighbours know and i intend to keep it that way.
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
A friend of mine said to me on Friday, "You shop like there's a war on!" as I was trying to ram some ice cubes into the bulging freezer without much success. I just laughed like an eejit and said that I was brought up to keep the cupboards and the freezer full, and that if I didn't I wouldn't have been able to take her a food parcel round when she couldn't afford to feed her kids...preppingsu wrote:
Yep, we try to be like this as well. We live in a small complex that used to be a farm, only 4 properties. They joke we are like Tom and Barbara off The Good Life. We just smile and agree! But we keep on prepping behind closed doors.
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preppingsu
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
I used to make food parcels up for my best friend many years ago. Despite that fact that they are now both working there is never any food in the house. I saw her today and she was off food shopping. I suggested she get extra in this week as the banks are looking dodgy and it doesn't help having extra in. I received a groan in response.itsybitsy wrote:A friend of mine said to me on Friday, "You shop like there's a war on!" as I was trying to ram some ice cubes into the bulging freezer without much success. I just laughed like an eejit and said that I was brought up to keep the cupboards and the freezer full, and that if I didn't I wouldn't have been able to take her a food parcel round when she couldn't afford to feed her kids...preppingsu wrote:
Yep, we try to be like this as well. We live in a small complex that used to be a farm, only 4 properties. They joke we are like Tom and Barbara off The Good Life. We just smile and agree! But we keep on prepping behind closed doors.
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bulldogeagle
Re: Being the Gray Man or Woman
most people live from week to week or payday to payday, go into their houses just before payday and its like "mother hubbard"-the cupboard is bare! these people are the first down the food bank when they get laid off, when the "long emergency" comes there wont be any food bank, guess who is the first to die of starvation?