What is a grey man?
A ‘Grey Man’ is a concept or theory of being able to blend into your surroundings, so that you and your family can easily move unnoticed through a crowd during a time of civil unrest or any other major catastrophic event. The idea is to fade into the background of your environment and not draw attention to yourself so that you can safely get to the bug out location or to your home.
How is the Grey Man concept related to prepping?
As a grey man, you will become less of a target for those looking to take advantage of someone. After the major catastrophic event, eventually, people will become desperate, so if you stand out as someone who has something of value, you will become a target.
What Grey Man is and what it is not?
A lot of people have a misconception of what a Grey Man actually is.
He should look like a normal average guy, a kind of a guy who would normally walk into a store and got out and nobody would notice. Nobody would remember him or could say that he’s ever been there. This is not just about not looking tactical, as many people think. That’s why it is really hard for some people to become a gray man, if not impossible. For instance, if you have a big recognizable scar on your hand or face, a tattoo, or if you’re too overweight or too muscle, you probably have a lot less chance of becoming one.
It is difficult for Americans to be “gray persons” because we have this huge sense of individuality.
How important is to be a grey man?
Well, it could help, but it’s not essential. Let’s take Hurricane Katrina as an example. Ordinary average people were getting robbed and mugged constantly. The fact that you’re carrying a bag or rucksack, might get others to think you have cash or something valuable they could use. Just think about it. So the solution is somewhere in the middle. Look average, but don’t look too good average or too soft, because you will basically identify yourself as a potential target that way.
What does it take to be a grey man?
- Be average.
- No identifying logos on your shirt, hat, or anywhere else.
- Don’t wear things that create ‘stimulus’.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Avoid conversion.
- Don’t look too average, don’t look too soft.
- Fit in where you’re going. Look and act depending on the location.
- Difficult to describe, looking too ordinary.
- Wear common brands.
To remember
Dressing, acting and carrying yourself in a manner that people’s eyes pass right over you and don’t notice you. There’s nothing remarkable about you when you are the ‘grey person’.
How to learn to become a grey man?
There’s a lot of stuff on the Internet about being or becoming a gray man or woman. Some of that stuff is really good and helpful, with simple and straightforward instructions. But, there are others, who promote step by step instructions, going so deep into the subject that they even make suggestions about what kind of teeth you should have. I think that’s a little bit too much or unnecessary at best.
Start noticing who you don’t notice!
So, how can you learn to become a gray man? Here’s a good example. What you can do for an exercise is to go to the airport, notice who you notice and why you notice them. And then start noticing who you don’t notice! And focus on them, and start writing down how do they carry themselves, what’s their physical condition, what’s their hair look like, colors of clothing, how they walk, etc …
