Several recent threads have discussed the situational actions or reactions of THR members, where the catalyst for doing so was another individual's personal appearance. [I've inserted a few relevant links at the bottom of this post.]
I wanted to put a spin on this issue, and perhaps initiate a conversation about how we use our own appearance to our advantage when finding ourselves in reduced circumstances. I want to discuss strategies and tactics used prior to the presentation of a firearm....where the intent of the former is to avoid the necessity of the latter.
Let's put the obvious aesthetic advantage on the table first: size. Tall or short, dressed up or down, obvious physical conditioning always seems to send the same message: Engage at your own peril.
As for how I leverage my appearance? I use several ingredients. My modus operandi, which has served me well in at least two real encounters, is as follows:
I'm tall, trim, and clean shaven. My hair is closely cropped. I've refined my ability to act polite but not friendly (hint - it involves short words and short answers.) Hand movements are minimized, but not eye contact. "Sir" is used appropriately, but not excessively. Smiling is avoided.
All of the above, coupled with an absence of denim and exposed t-shirts, gives me the appearance and mannerisms of an off-duty police officer. I say this because I am merely repeating the unsolicited observations of several friends and relatives.
In one instance that occurred about 2 years ago, a chap of doubtful reputuation approached me at a gas station. My vehicle was the only one at the pumps; indeed it was the only vehicle on the station's property. As he shuffled toward me, his body language and body odor made no effort to disguise his uselessness both to me and to the refueling process. I straightened up and walked out from the side of the pump, so that I would be in full view of this pedestrian. Assuming a slight interview stance, I called out a salutation:
"Can I help you, sir?"
He hesitated as his one good eye (the other was opaque and gray) took me in. His distance from me was ~12 feet.
"Er...no. I, uh, just need the time" was his timid, gravelly reply.
"I do not wear a watch." (which was true) "Perhaps the clerk inside can help you."
A pause.
"Any calls tonight?"
When he said that, the pump shut off. I made no effort to reply or attend to the pump nozzle, but rather I continued to stare at him.
With that, our asipring graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course for Itinerants turned around and walked toward the lot's exit area. I maintained eye contact with him; he turned around several times to look at me as he meandered across the blacktop. I then replaced the gas cap and exited the pump island post haste.
I was elected, as Mr. Farnham might have observed. I like to think that I won the primary.
TM
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=88435
-and-
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=87119
I wanted to put a spin on this issue, and perhaps initiate a conversation about how we use our own appearance to our advantage when finding ourselves in reduced circumstances. I want to discuss strategies and tactics used prior to the presentation of a firearm....where the intent of the former is to avoid the necessity of the latter.
Let's put the obvious aesthetic advantage on the table first: size. Tall or short, dressed up or down, obvious physical conditioning always seems to send the same message: Engage at your own peril.
As for how I leverage my appearance? I use several ingredients. My modus operandi, which has served me well in at least two real encounters, is as follows:
I'm tall, trim, and clean shaven. My hair is closely cropped. I've refined my ability to act polite but not friendly (hint - it involves short words and short answers.) Hand movements are minimized, but not eye contact. "Sir" is used appropriately, but not excessively. Smiling is avoided.
All of the above, coupled with an absence of denim and exposed t-shirts, gives me the appearance and mannerisms of an off-duty police officer. I say this because I am merely repeating the unsolicited observations of several friends and relatives.
In one instance that occurred about 2 years ago, a chap of doubtful reputuation approached me at a gas station. My vehicle was the only one at the pumps; indeed it was the only vehicle on the station's property. As he shuffled toward me, his body language and body odor made no effort to disguise his uselessness both to me and to the refueling process. I straightened up and walked out from the side of the pump, so that I would be in full view of this pedestrian. Assuming a slight interview stance, I called out a salutation:
"Can I help you, sir?"
He hesitated as his one good eye (the other was opaque and gray) took me in. His distance from me was ~12 feet.
"Er...no. I, uh, just need the time" was his timid, gravelly reply.
"I do not wear a watch." (which was true) "Perhaps the clerk inside can help you."
A pause.
"Any calls tonight?"
When he said that, the pump shut off. I made no effort to reply or attend to the pump nozzle, but rather I continued to stare at him.
With that, our asipring graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course for Itinerants turned around and walked toward the lot's exit area. I maintained eye contact with him; he turned around several times to look at me as he meandered across the blacktop. I then replaced the gas cap and exited the pump island post haste.
I was elected, as Mr. Farnham might have observed. I like to think that I won the primary.
TM
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=88435
-and-
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=87119
