[Kitsune]

Free-running is not so useful as planning ahead. Not to say 'Don't do it!' but if you're trying to evade being chased falling and breaking your legs isn't going to help as much as getting out while the getting is good.

I've been briefly thinking about what has helped me the most during my life thus far, and my major tip would be; don't get drunk.

A) You're less likely to get mugged, pick-pocketed, brawled, raped, etc etc.
B) It's easier to game.

I know this doesn't apply to a lot of guys, or holds no interest, but it's been more helpful to me than all the survival stuff I've learned, and it's something I'm pretty big into.

More out there skills that are pretty easy to work on;

Hunting and preparing food.
Making exotic 'defence devices' (Watch prison documentaries.)
Hypno-skills.
Learning the dress and movements of a 'grey man.'
Related to the above; read a lot of espionage books. Not novels, histories.

[Giovonny]

(04-13-2012 01:02 PM)Kitsune Wrote:  

Learning the dress and movements of a 'grey man.'

Whats a "grey man" ???

[joehoya]

(04-13-2012 01:51 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  

(04-13-2012 01:02 PM)Kitsune Wrote:  

Learning the dress and movements of a 'grey man.'

Whats a "grey man" ???

A "grey man" is a guy you don't notice, completely nondescript. It is the guy that doesn't stand out and doesn't attract any attention. People don't notice him when he is around and forget about him completely 5 min after he has left. You hide who you are and what you know/can do.

The name relates to the fact that the color grey has been shown to attract the least attention and leave the least impression. Guys committing industrial espionage have often worn grey suits because it makes them stand out less and be less memorable.

[Sr. Proctologist]

(04-07-2012 03:34 PM)joehoya Wrote:  

When I travel in Latin America (hell, when I am in DC, Vegas or Chicago too) I am absolutely ASTOUNDED by how few people are exercising any significant awareness of their surroundings.

I agree, it's an important skill. I keep a scan going, I'm wary of groups of young men, I try to be wary of people that could be pickpockets, I get suspicious when someone comes too close. I switch street sides early on when I see something I don't like. When a stranger says that they like you, get out of there. Things of that nature.

You signal your awareness to a potential threat by briefly looking in their direction without challenging them. Basically, scan their feet until they noticed that you have, which usually just takes moments.

In Brazil, if you wear flipflops you can't run but if you wear something else you're outed as a tourist. That's a dilemma.

In a club, I hold my drink at all times or gulp it down. It's tricky to teach the women to do the same. Oh, I never drink alcohol.

Having said that, I love my paranoia, it's a hobby. Never tell a woman though, she will think you're a scared rabbit.

What I haven't mastered yet though is keeping up the scan and the awareness when I'm at the side of a woman, especially during an approach or during early dates.