The Gray Man: Or How To Be Invisible:

[gatorglockman]

Fords and Chevy's but take a peek at Egypt right now. Social order is breaking down at this given time. This is a good "study lesson" of what could happen in the initial stages of a SHTF situation. Listen closely to some US citizens that made it out....interesting commentary. Could a US breakdown of economy and order look the same.....heck yes!

Grey Man.....for me....blend, avoid confrontation, and get the heck out of dodge asap as corruption, group think, violence and bad things are likely to occur fast. Get to your bug out location with purpose. Depending on where you are, it can be easy to blend in times wherein people are preoccupied with "stuff".

Anti-Grey Man.....for me, if it came down to my fam or supplies being stripped and my autonomy being denied by thugs, etc.....utilize immediate action/force/etc to get out of the situation asap. I would not worry about being "un-noticed"....I would act decisively and move in a rapid fashion out of the area....but that is me....

As for the clothing, eye contact, etc....not sure. Don't dress like a pimp, don't act like John Wayne or a card carrying mall ninja club member and don't act like a victim either. I am a determined guy personally and I wear that in my approach to work/life/love/etc.....so I won't change if SHTF. Lead or get out of the way and don't get in my way to protecting the ones I love. I won't mess with you.......do not mess with me.

My 2 cents on this interesting discussion. I really have enjoyed reading folks insight, thoughts and opinion.....very good stuff. Keep this thread rolling.

[MaconCJ7]

This was a very interesting read, lots of good points have been made. But I do see the confused state that a lot of the readers seem to be in. I also think that's because there's no standard definition of what it is to be grey, as opposed to invisible, or just left alone.

To be "grey" is to be easily forgotten. Someone that doesn't state out and catch attention,

and whose demeanor causes him/her to not be accurately recalled if questions are asked. Be polite, and reserved. Being grey means you can talk to people, you can book a hotel room. You just can't be loud and obnoxious as to make somebody take a longer look at you. Dress like the locals, act like the locals, just don't cause more than a casual glance in your direction. Easier to do in a big city than in the rural areas. Anybody that's ever been new to a small town knows this. EVERYONE knows you don't belong, so everyone gives you more attention. Having a huge scar from an old car accident running across your face automatically negates you being a grey man in most instances (roughneck hang outs being one of the exceptions). You instead have to be invisible.

To be invisible you have to not be noticed. Whereas the the grey man can communicate directly with the public, you have to be like the chick with the huge cart on the previous page. Sure, she doesn't blend in with the crowd, but nobody pays her any attention. She's that part of society that people shy away from and don't make contact with. She can walk all the way across NYC and nobody will remember seeing her. She's invisible. Playing mall ninja and running in the shadows at night is not invisible. It's just stupid. Your actions draw extra attention to you. That's of course in the city. It's easier to move at night in the sticks because most people are inside.

There's plenty of talk about projection of force and all that happiness too, but that should be used in rare circumstances. If some knuckleheads are about to role you up, a show of force is possibly required to keep you from getting jumped. Defuse the situation as required and bug out of the vicinity so you can disappear again. Projection of force implies readiness to use force, which in-turn heightens the probability of injury, which lowers the probability of survival. Anytime your in a situation to cause harm, you're also in a situation to receive harm. As has been said before, don't put yourself in a situation that may require force to exit. That's not always possible of course, but proper planning of your movements increases the likely-hood.

In a SHTF world, big guns draw attention. I'm not saying they don't have their place, I'm just saying, you're probably going to get shot. You'll probably get shot from behind because somebody else likes your big gun and wants it. They don't want to get shot getting it, so they're going to raise their chance of survival. Which brings us to team movements.

Bigger numbers isn't always safer. If your block has you HOA meeting and you are all a bunch of survivalists and figure in a SHTF scenario, you'll all band together and make it work. Good on you, a strong community is essential. But, if your community finds that you have to egress and foot travel is the only option, a large groups attracts attention. Assuming gov is AWOL for the time being, and it's all a bunch of people trying to survive, a large group means more supplies. That means a heightened chance of ambush. A lone traveler with a BOB also means supplies and also means ambush. Same for small groups, but if you have several small groups, the follow on teams can provide support assuming you withstand the initial ambush. It would be cool if the world was just chock full of people that are ready and willing to help each other, that's just not the case.

A PAW (local or widespread) sucks no matter how you look at it, and there is no blending in. Best chance of survival is for you and yours to hole up in one location and turn it into Ft Knox. Best chance for loner survival is to not be alone for long. No matter what your location is, being alone is a high risk scenario. Illness and injury that are all but negligible in todays world are amplified many times when you're by yourself trying to survive.

My haypenny for what it's worth.

[steppenwolf]

Fantastic post, but I'd like to add something. ***
***
***
No, I don't get cops called on me. Instead, I get asked if I'm a cop. That's one of the most common questions, on the occasion that I'm disturbed. Most others genearlly either assume that I'm a cop off-duty or something (I've had a few people tell me they thought I was). The others typically just figure that my weapon is somehow linked to my occupation... I work in a factory.

Walking, speaking, and appearing like you're supposed to be where you are, doing what you are, will end all discussion about whether or not you're a shady fellow. If I wore a band tee and ripped up jeans, a backwards hat and had tattoos, and a bit of gut-pudge, I'd probably have a lot of problems carrying my firearm. But instead, I'm a 5'9" 120lb. guy (I'm light as a feather, but I don't look underweight; I appear well-built for being so thin) who dresses nice and is probably a plainclothes officer, and the people who talk to me walk out of the conversation with a smile on.

I would probably say that this is not so much being invisible, but more so about misdirection. It's like comparing not being able to find something, to a slight-of-hand trick. Still, the effects are generally the same; people take little notice, and those who do are often either intimidated by your appearance (be it out of fear of the weapon, or out of feeling subconsciously inadequate because of demeanor/dress differences) or assume you are something far more normal than they would otherwise think without the disguise.

I play more on the assumption than I do on blending in. It's important to be able to adapt; if you're the grey man, and suddenly you're in the spotlight, then knowing a little bit of acting and misdirection could prevent a disaster. It's worked well for me so far. ***

Kudos to TP on the above highlighted thoughts.

For me, this defines what, and how, it is for one to be in GREY MAN MODE outside your residence. You're right: being the Grey Man is about misdirection - both in appearance and purpose.

Your real or intended purpose in being out and about is concealed by your appearance, i.e., by the fact that you appear to be no one special, no one out-of-the-ordinary, and certainly no one to whom it's worth giving more than a glancing nano-second of attention.

After 8 pages or so from the OP's initial post, which, by the way, was a GREAT starter and very thought provoking, you expressed the GM concept very well. Thanks!

[ninja-elbow]

Wow, just read this thread (well, specific parts of it at least) and ista did a great job in putting thoughts to typing.

Like Ista, I have had to learn to live with "being that brown guy" and that has given me the oppurtunity to hone my getting along with folks skills. I've had to learn to say, "Soya Asiatico..." a lot.

Anyways, would just like to add that 10% of this whole gray man ideal is "physical appearance" and 90%, and the hardest part, is how you act. Take it from a bouncer that had to find and eject douchebags as a living.

Now, for a Navy anecdote regarding the ol' clipboard trick:
This was the easiest way to get left alone on a Navy ship. Clipboard and Pen. Just wander around all day and occasionally act like you are looking at something. Even more effective if you have a PMS card on that clipboard.

To bring this back to the attitude thing, the navy/clipboard trick only works if they like you. If you are a dirbag, some chief will bitch you out for having a job like that and get you reassigned to some rust-busting and painting project.

[Ad'lan]

....or course being a gray man doesn't help in the dating scene.

I was just rereading the thread, and this stuck out at me. And reminded me of this: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1143676/built_for_the_stone_age_part_five_lekking/

Or at least, when it talks about the bright plumage of birds in association with the bit where he talks about lekking. Bright plumage = of not being a grey man.

[ninja-elbow]

Well... for the most part "grey man" theory is for when you are in a SHTF scenerio - not in daily life. There is some things to be said about character and personality, one being knowing when to be unnoticed and knowing how to act in a group of people - some of which you may want to mate with.

Adapt and overcome - it's just not for survivalists anymore

[skunkworks]

I am amazed by these guys who think in a SHTF situation your not going to be seen in your G.I Joe, Airsoft loadout, Navy Seal Wanna-be Camo gear. Being grey is vital to survival. Get'n all "cammo'd" up with your tactical backpack, your m4 with a dozen clips and six pistols strapped to your ass and your going to be shot as a combatant or die from exhaustion after an hour...you kids are going to stand out like crazy in any non wooded environment. Seriously. Just as you do not want to wear blaze orange in the woods...you cannot "give your self away" by looking like a copycat drug store Navy Seal or Ranger. Bland colors...hidden weapons...no noticeable devices at all with get you much further. I love gear as much as the next guy but if some of you go busting ass through town on your way to your tactical lair then your gonna be spotted and have to fight, shoot, stab or kill to protect yourself. It's better to not be noticed in the first place. Many of you get it. Some though just have to look cool as the world as we know it crumbles. Just my .02. God Speed Friends.

[MaconCJ7]

At least they'd die looking cool.

[Hoot Harrington]

At least they'd die looking cool.

It's worth a lot in some circles.

[Rugger]

Excellent post. I find it hard to be a grey man. When I'm out by myself I'm always on the defensive, scanning everything around me. Most people seem to avoid my looks but I've noticed that people with experenice in the military or law enforcement catch my eye and nod toward me like I'm of their own. Kinda funny sometimes. A Marine friend of mine calls it "Pinging". He describes it as when you guard your personal space, you form a circle around yourself and when your circle touches another one like your own, you've pinged the other guy. You acknowlge one another and move on.

Just found this thread and started reading, not intending to post anything. I'm glad to know there is a term for this event. lol I will say that it is usually more comforting than disconcerting when this happens. Lets you know there are "others" around.

[hutchb25]

Having done most of my growing up in more rural areas, it's occurred to me that I am distinctly lacking in urban/large crowd skills. After reading this thread, I found myself at the mall the other day for a meeting and decided to make my trip to and from a Grey Man/Awareness exercise.

I dressed fairly plainly and tried to move more or less with groups of other people. I think the biggest thing I learned is that it's hard to gauge your success at going unnoticed in an everyday situation But in terms of staying lost in the crowd, I think I did rather well without any unusual transitions across wide open space. I more or less kept my hands in my pockets, which seems to me would shrink your 'social silhouette'.

The biggest thing I practiced was awareness of the crowd around me and collecting quick information/size-ups about everyone within a certain radius, and also keeping aware of my best potential escape routes if some sort of accident or threat were to present itself. I've been doing that all the time the last few weeks when I'm in the city, actually. I think this is the more important thing for me to practice, because really I'm a pretty plain-looking, unassuming guy.


Thankfully I spend most of my day to day life more or less on the fringe of major population. Unless I'm at school, it will be a relatively short jaunt (less than a mile, really) to be basically in wilderness. Sadly, my BOB -is- an OD Alice Pack with a camp hatchet lashed to it, and soon enough probably a sleep system cinched on. So if I'm in class I really need to come up with a better, more urban-friendly option. I have noted that less than a half mile from my school is a river canyon. If I can make it there, I think I can make my way less noticeably. I need to recon further and see if I would be able to hunker down in the canyon somewhere until nightfall and wait until then to move.

[KnightoftheRoc]

Having done most of my growing up in more rural areas, it's occurred to me that I am distinctly lacking in urban/large crowd skills. After reading this thread, I found myself at the mall the other day for a meeting and decided to make my trip to and from a Grey Man/Awareness exercise.

I dressed fairly plainly and tried to move more or less with groups of other people. I think the biggest thing I learned is that it's hard to gauge your success at going unnoticed in an everyday situation But in terms of staying lost in the crowd, I think I did rather well without any unusual transitions across wide open space. I more or less kept my hands in my pockets, which seems to me would shrink your 'social silhouette'.

The biggest thing I practiced was awareness of the crowd around me and collecting quick information/size-ups about everyone within a certain radius, and also keeping aware of my best potential escape routes if some sort of accident or threat were to present itself. I've been doing that all the time the last few weeks when I'm in the city, actually. I think this is the more important thing for me to practice, because really I'm a pretty plain-looking, unassuming guy.


Thankfully I spend most of my day to day life more or less on the fringe of major population. Unless I'm at school, it will be a relatively short jaunt (less than a mile, really) to be basically in wilderness. Sadly, my BOB -is- an OD Alice Pack with a camp hatchet lashed to it, and soon enough probably a sleep system cinched on. So if I'm in class I really need to come up with a better, more urban-friendly option. I have noted that less than a half mile from my school is a river canyon. If I can make it there, I think I can make my way less noticeably. I need to recon further and see if I would be able to hunker down in the canyon somewhere until nightfall and wait until then to move.

Good for you, getting out and practicing! Too many people ASSUME they'll be able to do something, only to fail when it counts. At least, fail or succeed, you'll be able to pinpoint where your weak points are, and take steps to fix them while it's NOT a disaster. Waiting till the heat's on is NOT the way to do things.

That OD pack, I wouldn't worry too much about. A plain OD Green is so commonplace these days, as to almost be fashionable again. Same goes, pretty much, for woodland camo. My only concern regarding the pack color is that river canyon you mentioned- how much, if at all, will/might it stand out? And, if not in summer, what about winter? If it's not a problem, great, if it might be, consider making some sort of pack cover that can blend in different seasons- something reversible, for summer/winter use, maybe. Once you get your BOB all set up the way you want it, give some thought to a cover- waterproof is nice, but not usually a "must". You didn't say what size, but I'll recommend a frame for it, regardless of size. The Large will not work without one, but I find the Medium is SO much more comfortable with one.

[hutchb25]

That OD pack, I wouldn't worry too much about. A plain OD Green is so commonplace these days, as to almost be fashionable again. Same goes, pretty much, for woodland camo. My only concern regarding the pack color is that river canyon you mentioned- how much, if at all, will/might it stand out? And, if not in summer, what about winter? If it's not a problem, great, if it might be, consider making some sort of pack cover that can blend in different seasons- something reversible, for summer/winter use, maybe. Once you get your BOB all set up the way you want it, give some thought to a cover- waterproof is nice, but not usually a "must". You didn't say what size, but I'll recommend a frame for it, regardless of size. The Large will not work without one, but I find the Medium is SO much more comfortable with one.

Hey, thanks for the feedback.

That's part of what I'm going to look at tomorrow when I'm in the area. Honestly I haven't taken more than a passing glance...if it's a similar environment to the rest of the area, I should be able to conceal in the brush if need be. A pack cover is a great idea...I'd considered them for keeping my stuff dry, but not with reversible camo. I'll have to look in to that down the line.

It's a Large, so yeah it came with a frame (couldn't FATHOM it without one). I considered a medium, but opted for the large since the price difference was negligible. Glad I did, now Are you sure that even with an external frame it wouldn't be conspicuous? I could stuff the hatchet inside, but that's about it. I dunno...the only people I see packing around an ALICE in the city on a day to day basis are drifters.

[EricinVirginia]

I find that, if the gray man thing doesn't come naturally, fixing a location in your mind as your "goal"... even if it's "I'm walking from here to there" lends a sense of purpose others interpret as confidence. Nothing says "gray" like passing through and being gone.

If all else fails, I find that psycho trumps confidence. No trained, confident, or skilled fighter wants to throw down with a lunatic. Lunatics don't fight by the same rules as everyone else. As Social Distortion said, "you find the meanest motherfucker in the group and drop him." I'd much rather confront a skilled/trained fighter than a psychopath. With the training and skill comes an awareness that the fight might not be worth it for either of us,... and we move on with our lives.

My wife wen through a phase where she had white blonde hair. And it seemed everytime she went out, she had encounters that made her very nervous. One time she asked the store manager to walk her to her car because of a group stalking her in a grocery store. I had a long gray man discussion with her, but she didn't buy it. Since she went back to brunette, it has decreased, a lot.

[KnightoftheRoc]

Hey, thanks for the feedback.

That's part of what I'm going to look at tomorrow when I'm in the area. Honestly I haven't taken more than a passing glance...if it's a similar environment to the rest of the area, I should be able to conceal in the brush if need be. A pack cover is a great idea...I'd considered them for keeping my stuff dry, but not with reversible camo. I'll have to look in to that down the line.

It's a Large, so yeah it came with a frame (couldn't FATHOM it without one). I considered a medium, but opted for the large since the price difference was negligible. Glad I did, now Are you sure that even with an external frame it wouldn't be conspicuous? I could stuff the hatchet inside, but that's about it. I dunno...the only people I see packing around an ALICE in the city on a day to day basis are drifters.

My personal preference is to avoid the Lg, as it tempts me to fill it, and you can fit a bus in there. I can not, however, CARRY a bus... The external frames are either an OD Green, or a black- I've never seen one any other color. Both blend well with the OD of the LgALICE, and are usually hard to spot anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the frame being external making it conspicuous. As to the drifters- that's actually a plus, if you consider it for a bit- would you waste time robbing one of them? I wouldn't- not that I would, anyway, but...

I've been trying to figure out a way to do a tutorial on a method of making a 4 pattern/color pack cover design I came up with. As soon as I can figure out how to do this without crashing the entire internet, I'll post a thread on it. The design can be modded to fit any pack size or shape, so it ought to be pretty well received, I think. It also does not require a lot of sewing experience or knowledge.

[rat-a-tat-tat]

I can't believe I've managed to miss this thread for so long.

Well... for the most part "grey man" theory is for when you are in a SHTF scenerio - not in daily life. There is some things to be said about character and personality, one being knowing when to be unnoticed and knowing how to act in a group of people - some of which you may want to mate with.

Adapt and overcome - it's just not for survivalists anymore

No offense, but I completely 100% disagree with you.
There are criminals all the time. If you stand out to normal people.. Guess what? You stand out to them too.
If there's one group of people who you want to not be noticed by, or stand out to, it's criminals. They're going to go commit a crime anyway, why solidify a place for yourself in their minds?
If you look all tactical and shit, to a criminal, do you think that makes them want to steer clear?
No, it says "Cop. Fuck that guy and everyone with him first."
And if you're in an active shooter situation, do you REALLY want to be "the guy that probably has a gun"? Target indicator.

Just like how now militaries try to make officers, medics, RTOs, and other "shoot me first" jobs look like the rest of the troops. If you look important, or stand out, you're the "shoot me first" guy.

[BELIEVER]

Are we ever invisible? Especially to those from whom we are trying to deceive by altering one thing or a group of things.The basic idea is very important, but it is all a part of the equation that gets us out of a bad place or situation to live to tell! To me, being the "grey man" means being able to change something physical or mental at a moments notice, without the luxury of foresight. There is no feeling worse than realizing that you have journeyed into a place where you don't belong and you need to get as far away as fast as possible.Those skills that allow you to pull off that mission impossible come from some secret place deep inside of your being,and I believe they can only be accessed in a moment when you reach in and pull them out or face a possibly very bad situation.If we can replay such moments of possible life or gruesome death, only then will we begin to learn how to be the " grey man"! We can also learn from others stories and experiences,which is why a group such as this is of such value.Thank You to all who have contributed to this thread, for I have learned more skills that will hide in that unknown place until (hopefully never again) needed,and I will find a way to let good triumph over evil!

[raptor]

Believer:

Welcome to the forum. When you get a chance be sure to go to the introduction thread and introduce yourself.

[headshotxqueen]

This post was positively entertaining, and also quite informative. I am new to this site, and this was the first thread I have read. You are a clever dude, for sure. Keep it coming.

[Cpt_Jack]

I'll say now I haven't read the whole thread, sorry but there is a lot in there so what I'm going to write may well be a repeat but here goes.

I am very much a grey man I feel, always have been probably always will be. And you know what? I do like it Being able to move at will anywhere unnoticed, being the fish in the ocean is kinda fun.

Anyway, in reality I should not be a grey man. Why? I'm a 6ft+ white* British male living in an Asian country of generally very short Asian people. How I achieve this is down to a number of factors I feel:

- I dress smartish, always with a shirt, trousers and always with no logos and labels, not only is it cheaper but it's less conspicuous. I don't know why but a shirt seems to get you places as well as being inconspicuous, maybe it's the 'clean cut' look that you just don't get with anything else. I also again go for neutral colors, nothing bright.

- Shoes are again unbranded and neutral, lace ups are nice but I like slip ons for easy on and of action. Comfort is the main thing for me in a shoe since I footslog everywhere but I avoid trainers. Avoid the sort of 'echoy' shoes, the ones that make you should like you're in court as you walk down the corridor, get a softer sole so you go unnoticed as you walk on hard floors. Oh, and my last set of shoes lasted me years and were only replaced when I visited my parents and they insisted on buying me some new ones.

- My junk goes in a backpack, leaves both my arms free and doesn't look as inviting or 'snatcable' as another sort of bag, anyone trying to grab it will not be able to get away. Nor is it a 'laptop bag' type backpack so it looks inviting and again, no logos, especially not a computer (DELL, IBM etc) logo which will make your thief think there is a laptop inside. Think inconspicuous when going for bags and your average thief won't be attracted to it. Also, chose neutral colors so you don't look like a tourist, mine is dark blue and black. For the same reason, bumbags are out, nothing stinks of tourist more than a bumbag around your waist...

- My walk is 'purposeful' and of a moderate speed. I was in the Cadet Corp at school and I believe all the drill got to me but seriously, find yourself a friendly drill instructor (and when you do tell me, I've never met a friendly one!) and get some marching practice.

- But don't march... purposeful is the key here, look like your going somewhere. Speed is also vital, I tend to walk slightly faster than everyone else (purposeful again) but not so fast that I am zipping up the street and look in a hurry which would attract attention.

- I set my face to 'blank' (actually, that is it's default setting) and kinda 'hard'. Slightly turned down lips, eyes forward but not glaring. I notice that people don't keep eye contact but that could be becuase I'm and ugly bastard

- I don't shove, I slip past. A firm 'excuse me' and if they don't get the message polite hand on the back/shoulder normally shifts anyone foolish enough to get in the way of my purposeful walk. Thankfully slipping past is easy enough most of the time, just map your path carefully. Don't weave in and out of people to much tough.

- If you do have to stop, stop towards the edge of whatever area you are in and blend. This can be quite hard to master and probably needs a bit of practice, but it's all down to looking like you are meant to be there. Shop windows are great, pretend to browse, as are posters and whatnot. Your mobile phone is also a good freind here, whip it out and stick it to your ear; not only do you look the part but no one with bother someone 'on the phone'.

- That is another thing, don't flash your gash. My phone is cheap and serviceable, no one would nick it since it's worth buttons. Same goes for not flashing any jewelery and so on. Wedding ring is OK, anything else and if you're a guy your a poncy 'gansta' who deserves what they get and a woman.... ahem let's leave that one...

- Avoid looking like a tourist, I said something about it above but it's important, especially in a city like mine that is full of them. Tourists are easy to spot; bright clothes, shorter and more reveling than normal attire (modest dress is the thing here), garish backpack, camera and *shudder* sandals. Not a good look at the best of times and more importantly, one that get's noticed. They also stop and gawk a lot, not something you should be doing if you want to fit in.

With all of this, I, the white 6ft+ male, walks past the short shop vendors in touristy parts of my city without much of a glance while around me, others are hounded. I can slip in to almost anywhere, from accidentally barging past security and into the UNICEF Asia headquarters (got lost), past getting through the rough areas of town without trouble, via fitting in at an all-Malay iftar party for the local Sultan to managing to fit in to any Temple, Church or Mosque in the city with no hassle. It takes some practice but it's easy to master

I think that is your lot, I can probably think of more but I should probably not spin this out to much. Would ZS find it useful and legal for me to write something about movement on foot? Stuff about avoiding tails and danger etc, not sure if it has been done but I can bash something out.

Jack

*Apparently I am white. This has not stopped people from believing I am anything from a American, Russian, French, Egyptian Chinese (seriously), Argentinian etc etc person, I used to keep a list but it started getting stupid...

[rat-a-tat-tat]

- That is another thing, don't flash your gash.

This made me lol so hard.
Good advice for the ladies, though! Hahahahahahahah

[Ad'lan]

- That is another thing, don't flash your gash.

This made me lol so hard.
Good advice for the ladies, though! Hahahahahahahah

Gash means rubbish or the things you leave behind. http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Gash

Ethnic and Nationality confusion seems to be a trend in this thread. I (especially with the beard I have at the moment) get confused for an Arab, Turk, or Israeli (which kinda fits).

[Cpt_Jack]

- That is another thing, don't flash your gash.

This made me lol so hard.
Good advice for the ladies, though! Hahahahahahahah

It's meant to, I like playing on the old 'same words for different things' that we have, for me gash was something my Dad used but your meaning brings a new dimension to him asking us to 'find a gash bag' after long car trips... My very childish past time is asking Americans if they have a 'fag' (cigarette) and watching the confusing looks/rapid running. I don't have many friends

And yes, 'ethnicity' is an odd thing, we have our stereotypes which can be useful but often just suck and make us looks stupid. All in all I guess it just shows we are all the same anyway and bleed red but I feel sorry for my future children; as well as having my dodgy DNA which is bad enough for the poor souls they have my wife-to-be's half Chinese half God knows what DNA to deal with. She is from Borneo which is one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the world and they mix a lot, I know there is probably some Dayak headhunter DNA in there somewhere so arguments in my house will escalate rather quickly...

[armydawg11b]

Awesome writing man not only great ideas and a great topic, but really good writing lol. I would just like to add, probably to the tactical side, if you are running, you never blend in. If any of you are in an airport take note of who you notice first, the people running to catch flights. We train (being gray right now lol "we") to pick off the runners first. Also unless you are hip deep in "holy fucking shit" DO NOT RUN! you make yourself a target. Again, probs , on your entire post.