Who is the...grey man

kashaw · Post by **kashaw** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:01 pm

As heading reads...who is this grey man everyone keeps talking about?

Post by **scoobie** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:05 pm

It's not a person, it's a sort of behaviour. I think it originated in spy circles. It essentially means to be the sort of person you'd walk past in the street and pay no attention to..

So don't draw attention to yourself, don't talk publicly about preps or being a prepper etc etc..

kashaw · Post by **kashaw** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:07 pm

Thanks Scoobie

C4tch · Post by **C4tch** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:34 pm

I always thought it was my father in law, but I could be wrong

C

Triple_sod · Post by **Triple_sod** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 1:26 am

I first came across the term on one of those shows about the SAS, this particular episode they were dealing with capture and interrogation and the ex-SAS bloke defined it as being ‘neither submissive or aggressive’. As obviously in that particular situation, exhibiting either characteristic would single that man out for attention.

So I’ve always seen it as being much more about how you ‘carry yourself off’, rather than just what cloths your wearing ect. (Keeping quiet about your preps I’d consider more in the realms of what the Americans term OPSEC)

Basically then you want to ‘blend into the crowd’, as neither a victim or a potential aggressor…

kashaw · Post by **kashaw** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:29 am

I think I blend in very well until... I go to the supermarket for shopping. Am I the only one who stands for 10 mins reading each tin and packet? I look at the tin for sell by dates, ingredients and nutritional values. I do get a few strange looks muttering to myself

and some of the stuff I buy might look dodgy, Masking tape, face masks, rubber gloves, packs upon packs of lighters..One day there will either be a police van or a lil yellow van with square wheels waiting for me after my shop !

buttystella · Post by **buttystella** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:52 pm

kashaw you are doing whats important by checking nutrient value and sell by date. All preppers probably do this, good on yer

TomW · Post by **TomW** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:28 pm

'Grey man' to me covers all aspects from clothing to opsec. Its about blending in, being one of those people you can have a conversation with but not remember their face two seconds after you turn around.

For me its simple rules like no camo and not talking about prepping with anyone unless I trust them completely. I tend to avoid doing big prep shops and if I do I'll go further away to minimise bumping into people I know. Having an attitude can easily pick you out as well so modifying your behaviour to suit is another big part.

If your a bit more of a

you wouldn't even be visiting here as 'they' would know. Its certainly something to consider as certain search terms are more likely to be monitored than others. Try googling explosives and chemical wholesalers and cruising some fundamentalist websites...

kmoon84 · Post by **kmoon84** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:39 pm

I haven't heard this term before, but it makes real sense. I want to get a new backpack and I have been looking at a 30lt surplus 1 but if shtf and I was walking round all tactical I would be making me and the family a target, best to just keep everything as normal looking as possible and carry the minimum unless we have to bug out.
Thanks everyone this has been an eye opener and give me something to think about, I think I might scrap the bag and start looking at coats, nice one

Bladerunner · Post by **Bladerunner** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:55 pm

Unfortunately, when you are as good looking as me, it is next to impossible to be the greyman. Even hetrosexual men remember me.

It a curse but I have learned how to live with it.

Be lucky (we all have a cross to bare)

uk-preppers.co.uk