Side effect of being aware

[Bluefield]

Since starting my concealed carry journey, I've been following the advice of being aware of my surroundings. So, I look around a lot. One apparent unwanted side effect is that I'm getting more attention from people wanting to ask questions on general things like driving direction, and from people wanting handouts.
This might not be something that will generate comments from others, but it's something that bothers me a bit. I can see why some people want to walk around with their head down, avoiding eye contact.

[Bawanna]

Thats an interesting post and something that I've never heard of before but your right. I too look around alot but tend to revert to avoid eye contact once I've looked things over, probably a bad thing.
One disadvantage I have is not hearing well I often times have to see lips moving to know if someone is talking to me or often times talking to anyone.
One of my biggest concerns is not recognizing a verbal threat or danger signal. I could easily look at my watch for the time when they say give me your wallet. I don't mean this as a joke either, I'm forever getting conversations completely out of the ballpark from what was really said.

Probably for that reason I'm even more diligent in my visual awareness even though I try to avoid verbal interaction, probably for fear I won't understand anyhow. Not fun.

Good stuff to think about.

[Warhammer]

For beggars, I find direct eye contact and a simple "no" shake of my head works 99% of the time. For the more insistant 1%, a verbal "I can't help you" gets rid of them. The important thing is for both of these communications to happen well before the person is within striking range. Don't let them walk right up to you before you react to their presence.

For those legitimately needing direction, I have no problem giving some quick help. However, I always stop my movement well back from the person and begin the conversation from a distance. Make sure to maintain that distance. Don't allow someone to lure you in closer with a prop, like a map they want you to look at. Quick directions can easily be given from a safe distance. If they need more complicated directions (not something I can sum up with "turn left here and it's three blocks down on your right"), I suggest that they stop by the police station for help. Of course, avoidance usually works if you don't want to talk to them at all. Just change your route and walk over to the next row of cars, then continue on your way.

[Jeremiah/Az]

I make eye contact with most people I pass. I am rarely in large crowds. If I smile or nod, they usually respond with same, but you do get noticed. I think there is a show of confidence when you make solid eye contact with a stranger, without looking aggressive.

I was in a Burger King today open carrying. I got my food & sat down at a table. An elderly, well dressed man walked up to me with his hands folded behind his back. He said," Sir, may I ask you a question?" Sure. " How do you get a permit for your gun?" I explained it to him. He thanked me & with a pat on my shoulder, he left smiling, saying he was going to check into it.

[mr surveyor]

I don't know where I got it, but I remember learning a bit about situational awareness about 30 years ago. I grew up in, and still live in the same small town pop. 11k) in NE Texas where we have a small incidence rate of muggings and the like. But, the nearby "big city" ( a whopping 80k pop.) has more than it's share of crap. In parking lots walk in the middle of the drive, never at the bumper of the parked cars. Park in lighted areas away from the crowd if possible. Carry your keys in your fist, with one key prutruding between each finger in case you have to resort to hand to hand defense. Make "casual" eye contact with any approaching person so they will be aware that you've "seen them first". If they appear to intentionally not make eye contact, or have their heads turned or faces covered intentionally, change your direction of travel and be prepared for a defensive posture or cover if they change directions with you. Never allow yourself to be boxed in when alone. Now, having a firearm on my side 98% of my waking hours, I still follow the same rules. Avoidance being the number one rule when possible, otherwise be curteous to everyone you meet, and be prepared to defend yourself at all times. Do not be paranoid... be prepared.


surv

[Bawanna]

Per a pals request

Ok, I've been lurking, and I'm not a member. I need you to pass on something on the thread, "Side effects of being aware". This strikes home for me.

Being aware doesn't mean being a tour guide. For the same reason mentioned, people always ask me things. In uniform, out of uniform, doesn't matter, where's the bathroom, what time is it, do you have change for a $20, etc. I have a number of canned responses I use, and toss them out without hesitation. More often than not, "all the way down, keep to the right" works for directions. Where is the bathroom, where is parking, where's the closest....you get the idea. Chances are you just gave them a 50% chance of finding what they are looking for and you weren't rude. Do you have change (either decent folks looking to break a larger bill, or homeless guys seeking a handout) gets "I'm living on plastic buddy". Don't even think of breaking out a wallet and checking with an unknown subject. Do you have the time, never results in me looking at my watch and taking my eyes off of this unknown person. I make up a time, toss it out and keep walking. Surprisingly, I'm usually not far off for some reason, must be an internal brain thing.

Give them an answer and move them along, but don't put yourself at a disadvantage in the process. You'll find that decent folks take the answer and go, bad guys are so stunned because you didn't do what they thought that their OODA Loop is still spinning and you're 100 feet away before their brain clicks. Kind of goes with that old saying, be nice but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

I told him to join, that it only cost 175 dollars a year plus a one time sign up fee of 50$ but so far he's not biting. Go figure.