SHTF Survivalism The Gray Man Concept - Common Mistakes

The Gray Man concept is discussed; and common mistakes that people make regarding this concept is also discussed.

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[NoOneImportantFromIdaho]

While visiting a different city I observed the locals out the window a while before deciding how to dress to blend in. Damn that clown conference, that led to some confusion

[billterry]

excellent points. like I've always heard the loudest guy in the room is the weakest guy in the room just be a piece of the furniture

[sarge]

The opening quote is absolutely awesome. Right on target. I agree on the GM approach.You want to slip in and out un-noticed. Get to where you are going with minimal attention or risks. The key thing is timing. As you said, if you are aware and keep your eyes peeled, you make it out of the rat trap BEFORE the rest of the sheeple realize what's happening. Unless you are riding a KLR, when the roads are blocked solid, you won't be going anywhere with your tricked out bug out vehicle. So make it out before the "awakening" of the masses. One subject that Wesley Rawles brought up. Your bug out location should be at least 300 miles out of the biggest town. And at least 20 miles from main roads. That way the ones that do make it out, will probably run out of gas around 250, 300 miles. Then if they go on foot, the extra 20 miles to get to your retreat is killer. Also, make sure you have a different way out from your retreat. In case you have to bug out of there. Great vids, keep 'em coming! Cheers

[nmr]

Patreon member here! It's April 23, 2020 and I'm in a Stay At Home area. Rewatching your older videos is fun and educational and I realize I haven't been bored for three hours -- that's when I starting watching your videos. Your four-part Choose Your Own Path shtf scenarios videos are so, so good. I've watched them many times and will watch them many more times! Moving on to how to give commands when armed and confronting a bad guy. That's a great one!

[windcall]

I get what your saying about not wanting to look tacti-cool in a hostile urban environment . but  5-11's or similar technical clothing are super functional and dry qwikly . in some area's crossing a river dealing with snow and rain are a high probability and cotton is the enemy . and traveling cross country on foot to avoid main travel routes would be a must .dealing with elements well will be an asset like your channel

[dlighted]

I appreciate very much that you say
"what if" and "possible" than declaring absolutes.

I am definitely well fed.
To me baggy clothes will pass a cursory inspection.
There will be intelligent, observant people out there.
But they will be few and hard to find.
The same as it is now.

I also find slightly oversized clothes easier to move around in.
But that could be because I am definitely very well fed.🤗

[AuntieM]

Thanks for the pointers. I live in jeans and T-shirts anyway.:)

[getoffmylawn]

I'm late to the party with a comment, but apparently we're brothers from a different mother. I've been preaching the same points for decades. I've been a "stay gray" guy since the 70s, both in the U.S. and other countries, and it's served me very well. Thanks for the video.

[BulletSpoung]

A much needed and helpful video.  To join in and be helpful I have some tips.  The Goodwill stores are a good place to find the clothing you might need, being that it's full of clothing that the everyday Jo has used.  I have also found tennis racket bags that I use for hiding side folding rifles at Goodwill.  Costco the Sam's Club sell very large volumes of clothing so you will be dressed like the members of the population in that area.   Thanks for the video.

[dalejohnson]

Some very good things that most people do not think about.

[kittyvanduser]

I notice clothes- especially new ones in the latest fashion, whether they be tactical pants or frilly dresses. So, I just don't buy new clothes. They send out "signals", which I'd rather avoid. I buy all of my outer-wear at thrift stores. Including boots & purses. New shoes and designer purses attract attention, too. A pair of slightly scuffed boots and a worn but sturdy brown leather purse is safer than new finery! And leave the jewelry at home! I wear a thin gold wedding ring, and that's all. Ladies should avoid tight jeans, excessive makeup, and elaborately-painted manicures... because, let's face it- you did that to get attention. And there may be times when you don't want that attention. In my geographical area, a scuffed leather Bomber Jacket makes you practically invisible. As for the pale, cracked lips and "hollowed eyes" of sickness & starvation, this effect can be partially achieved with $2 or $3 worth of cheap makeup from the Dollar Tree. I can paint myself from normal to sick as heck in 3 minutes or less. Totally agree about no bumper stickers or NRA stickers on your car, too. I'd take it a step further, and say that an older car (in good running condition, of course) would be safer and less noticeable than a newer vehicle. (Insurance is cheaper, too!) And, there's no nice way to say this- but stupid is safer. In your conversation and dealings with strangers, try to make an effort to sound less intelligent, educated, or well-spoken than you actually are. You can be as intelligent as you want to be at home. I am kind and polite to obviously uneducated persons, but I don't go out of my way to study them, draw them out, or try to follow them home. Always keep an eye on the crowd- without making prolonged eye contact with other persons. Don't talk to strangers. The only exception to this rule is cute little old ladies who ask me to help them reach something on a high shelf in the store, or help them read a label on a package. I always have time for them! And I almost always get a smile from them and learn something old or something new from them! Don't ever discount the wisdom of a senior citizen! And, stop using those "Customer Loyalty Cards"! Or lose your old ones and get new ones using a fake name and address, if possible. I don't want to take the chance that a cashier may note my name & address because he is curious about why I just bought 20 pounds of rice, 5 bottles of vitamin tablets, 8 large chocolate bars, and a dozen cans of chicken broth...

[LanieHasquin]

Very good video with a LOT of good points. I agree that it's important for a lot of that just for safety in today's world too.

[twdlife]

Sound advice for many situations. Thanks again, I am taking notes!

[annaleabrown]

Funny - I watched Part 2 a couple of weeks ago: Cheers for YouTube suggestions! (snort) Since this was an older video, I have no idea if you had a hidden message - I was grading schoolwork and just listening (I do that a lot to YT vids). Anyway, thanks, EP!

PS - The quote at the beginning made me think of my favorite Poem! A Psalm of Life by Longfellow. The last 3 stanzas:

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

[CentralOregonSurvival]

Agree there is a time and place for this concept. I use it mostly when I travel to other states, when all I have is a knife. But, this day and age, i could be wearing orange hunting clothes and people are so wrapped up in there phones and electronics, they wouldn't even notice. SHTF situation, I don't think it would give you much of an advantage, there would be to much chaos for someone to care. Now, if they want your stuff, no matter if they are starving... I think I would rather make them way the risk vs reward. Just like in Iraq, look mean, look hard, have guns point everywhere... RISK vs REWARD. This concept goes both ways really, but I am a loud guy, so I like making noise.... LOL

[edi]

One point often overlooked is that in a SHTF scenario, police will probably confiscate guns fearing marauders and fights about resources. I think Katarina was an example for this.
I grew up in a country where weapons were pretty much illegal. You could have a folding knife, but you were not allowed to carry it and you could have a pepperspray but you were not allowed to use it against humans. The thing is, the times got worse and criminals don't care about laws. However, due to the weapon ban only hard core criminals were carrying guns, thus most of the time you would encounter knives or baseball bats and other improvised weapons. If you know that plenty of things went wrong in your neighbourhood, you don't want to be overdressed, nor look particularly interesting for the police (or you can have a lot of trouble when they notice that you geared up for war).
Lastly, I'd like to remind that there's a big misconception about ninjas. In real life they were mostly spies and thus gray-men. Their main tool of trade was not the sword, but bribes and blackmail. I believe this is worth to think about.

[oaksparoakspar]

One of the great problems SHTF will be the initial rush as people flee mindlessly while you are trying to bug out.

Thus, your "gray man" might be less of being not noticed and more of being noticed and disregarded as someone who should be there.

A white truck (contractor boxes are nice, but not necessary) will be allowed to go ANYWHERE if you take the time to get some door magnet decals of the local utilities (power, gas, etc). If the police/military checkpoints and enforced detours think you are there to set up gennies, fix the power, or cut the gas lines before things go boom - they will likely let you go by in standard work clothes (those companies often hire contractors who are not uniformed). $30 in door magnets = free pass (and explains a vehicle filled with tool boxes, rubber totes, work buckets, having a CB radio mounted in, and other things ideal for storing/moving supplies).

Obviously, if you have a job with a formal uniform, that can get you through as well. Police, fire, national guard, etc can likely get through with claims that you are heading to a call, duty assignment, or checking in.

The down side is that you likely HAVE such a call or duty you are either AWOL of or that has kept you from bugging out as early as you should.

[vahebaldemian]

New favorite channel. Just binge watched

[odin]

thanks for the decent video and different details to think and re-consider them. Thumbs up!

[blackriflemensorganization]

Great discussion points. The GMC is something to be considered by those who prefer not being a target. Question: If a person has unique traits that make them stand out even when going gray (significant size differential, or obviously different ethnicity) how do the achieve a state of gray? Thanks for posting this, it really made me think about the entire concept...