Do you look like a soft target?

[combatantr2]

If so, have you done make overs and fashion changes to your physical looks to be a hard looking target?

Like if you look like a geek with large prescription glasses always clutching a pda and so you have tried to grow some beard, mess up your hair like you've not taken a bath for years , wear very dark glasses just to look tough and other tactical fashion that may seem to thwart away BGs.

I know this may seem unimportant to some but I believe if you fashion yourself not to look like a softie you may actually set-up a psychological barrier (as your first line of defense) to would be perps making them think twice that your not a softy after all. But of course were all armed aren't we? So this thread may be irrelevant.

Thanks.

 

[LJH]

I do not look like a soft target. I am pretty sure that if you tried to make me look like a soft target by washing my hair, shaving my beard, giving me a PDA and removing my dark glasses, I would still not look "soft"

 

[DesertDawg]

I'm not sure if a "fashion make-over" is necessary. There's a lot to be said about "body language" and posture, though.

If you are going to be attacked, it will most likely be when you are walking or sitting. If you walk and sit with good posture, hold your chin up, and act like you're "all business", thugs will probably look elsewhere. Walk at a somewhat brisk pace instead of loping along slowly. Sweep the area with your eyes for good situational awareness. Act as if you're on a "mission" instead of looking indecisive.

 

[jsconnelly]

+1 on what Dawg said.

It also helps to be 6'-3", 240lbs.

 

[Dumptruck]

I wrestled throughout highschool and played football. Still work out and do club wrestling. I would like to think that I don't look like a soft target. Being generally unkempt helps matters too haha. The mean bearded guy who looks like he could give a crap less what he wore is probably not who they want to target. If anything they probably think I won't have any cash.

 

[bogie]

Bogie's Corollary of Public Transportation:

The likelihood of having a seat to yourself on a crowded bus increases with the degree that you talk to yourself.

Modifier:

Violent talk pretty much guarantees a LOT of personal space.

 

[MakAttak]

I think I might look like a soft target.

My fiancee keeps telling me I'm huge. (Edit: As in I have a lot of muscle)

I'm sure the truth is somewhere in the middle.

 

[sacp81170a]

"The purpose of etiquette is to so perfect the character that the coarsest ruffian cannot make an attack on one's person."

That's what my kendo instructors taught me, anyway. Being polite means that you first have to be alert to another's presence, understand the rules of the particular interaction and comport yourself accordingly. The first two rules go a long way toward making you an undesirable target and the last clinches the deal. By acting in this manner, you show the other that you have no fear of him. This makes you not so much a "hard" target, but not a target at all. No adjustment of wardrobe is necessary but a huge adjustment of attitude and mindfulness is.

 

[Cacique500]

I subscribe to the "nature" theory. I normally wear a tactical vest (Sigtac) and Blackhawk tactical pants for work. In my mind it's like bright colors in nature warning predators off that the bug they're about to eat might be poisonous.

If you see a large guy in summer wearing a tac vest and tac pants it SHOULD indicate to a bad guy that you might be armed and you're not a person to be messed with. I also wholly agree with having good posture and using body language to your advantage.

 

[WayneConrad]

I purposefully don't try to look hard, or tactical, or condition anything.

I'm not out to scare people. I open carry with a political purpose in mind. To look hard, or scary, would screw that up enormously. There can't be anything tactical about me.

 

[buck00]

I'm not sure if a "fashion make-over" is necessary. There's a lot to be said about "body language" and posture, though.

Aye. It has less to do with fashion or hitting the gym, than body language; how you walk, how you look (eye contact), and how you carry yourself.

This is deep psych 101. Perps often choose victims instinctively like a dog does, just by the way a person is carrying themself.

On the flip side, you can also pick out perps by their body language. Ever see someone walking with a sense of purpose, like they have somewhere to be? Ok, then compare that with a punk sort of aimlessly wandering the streets- no where to go, just sort of trolling.... interested in who comes along, not much to do. Think about this. They are "interviewing" you (with their eyes) but you can interview them back. Actually, if they pick up your are interviewing them (in the right way) it actually can discourage them. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the junior high "stare down" but making no eye contact whatsoever can be construed as a sign of weakness (this doesn't apply to women by the way).

This isn't an academic thing, rather its an experience thing. I could walk down a street and not be mugged (or be mugged) based simply on how I carry myself. And this isn't about be "a tough guy" or "looking tough" because there is also "fake tough" which is phony and back-fires. I've seen fake tough with some fraternity guys, LEOs, and bouncers at times and it can send the wrong message.

So the emphasis isn't on "tough" but its carrying yourself with confidence. That is the word. But again, this isn't something you can 100 percent convey by a post.

 

[TallPine]

I would guess that I'm a "crunchy" target

 

[bdickens]

It's all about body language and how you carry yourself. It doesn't have a thing to do with your physical size or how you dress.

 

[Deleted member 66305]

I'm not sure if a "fashion make-over" is necessary. There's a lot to be said about "body language" and posture, though.

If you are going to be attacked, it will most likely be when you are walking or sitting. If you walk and sit with good posture, hold your chin up, and act like you're "all business", thugs will probably look elsewhere. Walk at a somewhat brisk pace instead of loping along slowly. Sweep the area with your eyes for good situational awareness. Act as if you're on a "mission" instead of looking indecisive.

This is the same I was about to say -- it has a lot less to do with how you look, than how you act. Simply keeping aware of your surroundings and not looking like you're distracted makes you looks less inviting to BGs.

I've known 3 women who were mugged while sitting in their parked car, making a list, balancing their checkbook, or whatever. Who the heck thinks the car is a good place for that?!

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

apparently yes at first blush
a blush that changes quickly
had a few folks on job sites who tried me on. usually when they were high

 

[Biker]

Chuang Tzu's take...and mine.


The Fighting Cock
Chi Hsing Tzu trained fighting cocks for the king. Once, when he was training an especially fine bird, the king asked if it was ready for the ring.

“Not yet, Your Majesty,” said Chi Hsing Tzu. “He’s full of fire. He’s ready to pick a fight with every other bird. He’s vain and confident of his own strength.”

After ten days, the king repeated his question, and Chi Hsing Tzu said, “Not yet. He still flares up when he hears another cock crowing.”

After ten more days, he said, “Not yet. He still gets that angry look and ruffles his feathers.”

Ten more days: “Now he’s ready. When another bird crows, his eyes don’t even flicker. He stands immobile like a wooden statue of a bird. He is a mature fighter. Other birds will take one look at him and run.”

Biker

 

[McCall911]

Do you look like a soft target?

Yes, I get that all the time!

I wonder what I could be doing wrong?

Is it too much of one color?

 

[Sniper X]

In a word, no. Never been even looked at sideways except by a couple drunks who would have talked trash to a uniformed Cop they were so thrashed. Here's evidence.

 

[auschip]

In a word, no. Never been even looked at sideways except by a couple drunks who would have talked trash to a uniformed Cop they were so thrashed. Here's evidence.

Wow, you even got that dude to hold your bike while you were gone, you must be tough.




(Yes, I'm just giving you a hard time.)

 

[ironlung]

My opinion as an internet badass...

I agree it's all in how you carry yourself as to be "marked" by the bad guys.

You could be dressed like you going to serve a no knock warrant and the look on your face can give you away as a softie in one second!


I'll ask, is it possible for a Mr. Softie to change his bully magnet ways?

...hypothetically speaking of course...



I'll guess "no" you can't change your gut reaction.

 

[Dope]

In a word, no. Never been even looked at sideways except by a couple drunks who would have talked trash to a uniformed Cop they were so thrashed. Here's evidence.

LOL the speed racer shirt tops it off

Dope

 

[Fish828]

nope, not me.

 

[Jeff White]

Clothes don't make the man....

Cacique500 said;

I subscribe to the "nature" theory. I normally wear a tactical vest (Sigtac) and Blackhawk tactical pants for work. In my mind it's like bright colors in nature warning predators off that the bug they're about to eat might be poisonous.

Without the correct mannerisms all it indicates to me is poser. With the correct mannerisms, the tactical uniform is unnecessary.

Being confident and aware is much more important then what you wear.

Jeff

 

[misANTHrope]

I'm going with the body language thing. I walk with purpose, scan the area, and look people in the eye. If that doesn't work, well, I'm still 6'4" and 230#. I dunno how much the shaved head and goatee contribute.

 

[Dravur]

usually...

I am so cool as to be above these things...

I wear a tactical vest with my actual targets pinned to it...."oh, here is where I got 10 shots in the 10 ring" It makes the gang bangers stop and think.

My pants are tactical, with many pockets, and peeking out of every one? A copy of American Rifleman. I'm usually carrying a copy of "How to set up a Punji Stick Trap" I wear mirrored sunglasses so the bad guys can see in their own souls.

I wear a goatee, to let everyone know I am high speed/low drag. I slick back my hair to look like it was in a constant wind tunnel to get that special speed effect. I let my hands twitch and mutter to myself to let the bad guys know... I am constantly vigilant.

My truck is NRA blue with several bumper stickers along the line of..."Driver carries less than $20 of remorse" and "from my cold dead hands...around your neck" I have a sticker in the rear window for every gun I own. I don't need a rear view mirror. I use studded snow/mudder tires all year round, in case I need to run over a herd of goats. I have a 24" lift kit. I use a parachute to get out of my truck.

My house is adorned with signs that say "Protected by Smith and Wesson" and "Tresspassers will be shot, survivors will be prosecuted" My doors are solid steel, and not camouflaged. The neighbors shy away from me...and thats the way I like it. I have a command post in the house. I have guns in every room and 2 in the shower... stainless, of course.

I am mean looking, so DON'T MESS WITH ME!