"Situational Obliviousness" part 2

[ragwd]

"Situational Obliviousness"

In reading the previous thread with this title, started a question in my mind, so lets take it a bit further.

Lots of people walking around without being aware, I use to tell my kids "presence of mind". Living close to a city in decay, I have to keep my awareness level at a higher level than say someone in a rural area. I have realized over the past few years that the police are not able to ensure my personal safety, and that it is my responsibility. While driving being aware of the traffic around you, when stopping at a red light dont pull up so close to the car in front that you cant go around with out backing up so as not to get trapped. While outside of the car being aware of the people, how they look--do they fit the area--are they looking around--are they touching their waistline for no reason-- are they printing. It gets to be a habit. So my question is, what are the other signs that you look for. What and where are you looking when you are scanning a area for risk. Please, this isn't about racial profiling so lets not go there. If this is a old rethread, sorry.

 

[Kruniac]

Forget race - its all about the Stare. If someone is Staring at you, they intend to interact with you in some kind of way.

The Stare is what I call the look at boxer gives his opponent, or even what a guy gives a female when trying to get laid. Its predatory, its dominant, and its very primal. Its also easily noticed.

Think about any hostile encounter between two guys - the Stare is always involved. Anytime someone is "strutting" up to you to posture, they use the Stare while doing it. It is a very simple and early phase way of telling if a threat is possible.

Obviously, lacking the Stare doesnt mean "No Threat", but you can be certain that someone giving you the Stare (especially if they are heading in your direction with intent body movements) wants SOMETHING, even if its just to ask the time.

 

[rampage841512]

I tend to look for people staring, and also people who look away suddenly. I'm always aware of distances. If someone is closing distance with me I keep an eye on them.