Body language and threat recognition

Backwoods Home Magazine ^ | May/June, 2004 | Massad Ayoob

[MtnClimber]

... We’ll get away from firearms this trip, and look at something else related to personal safety: recognition of pre-assaultive behavior cues.....

Being able to recognize body language associated with imminent violent action can allow you to, in the best-case scenario, disengage and leave the scene. At worst, it can give you time to activate a plan of self-defense soon enough to effectively protect yourself and those for whose safety you are responsible. Danger signals

The eyes, it is said, are the windows to the soul. Often, the way in which a hostile person looks at you can be a predictor of what his plans are for you.

Cops, soldiers, and mental health professionals are all too familiar with “the thousand yard stare.” This is the person who seems to be not so much looking at you as through you. He may be unresponsive or inappropriately responsive in other ways. What this should tell you is that in this moment he is in an alternate reality of his own, a place where you are probably not welcome. When you see this, start “creating distance” unless you in fact are a law enforcement officer, health professional, or someone else who has a responsibility for containing and restraining this person’s actions.

The opposite of the thousand yard stare is the “target stare.” This is the guy who narrows his eyes and glares directly at you. The narrowing of the eyelids does for our vision what shutting down the f/stop on your camera does for the lens: it enhances depth perception. It tells you that you have become a very intense focus of his attention.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Im not keeping my shotgun off safety when the Mormons stop by.

They only thing they will do to you is bore you.

I always ask if they brought me potato salad. I don't know they put in that stuff but Mormon potato salad can not be beat. If they bring potato salad I let them in and have a nice quazi-religious experience. I am not kidding, the potato salad is just that good.