Funny story: we were visiting Prague for a few days last year (as part of a larger road trip around central Euro), and walked into a local cafe/bar near the university. As is typical in many Euro cities, service was a bit slow, so I wasn't paying attention nor did I really care. But then as more customers came/went, I began to realize that we were actually being ignored. At that point, I was smirking to myself and mentioned the situation to my wife. We stayed a few more minutes to observe the dynamic before splitting. We walked a few blocks, then popped into a small beer hall. Here were the rowdy Czech equivalent of Trump supporters (CZ is anti-muzzie like A, H & PL) having a grand old time. We fit right in LOL.
Now, I need to point out that we're very experienced travels. It's not like we stuck out in the commie cafe like some obese Americans fresh off the bus wearing Nikes and fanny packs . Actually, we're pretty stealth - I've had locals ask me for directions before realizing I can't speak the language. Anyway, what gave us away was our looks, health, stature and general 'aura'. Freaks & weirdos are almost always undersized, misshapen runts that dress, slouch, speak and act as losers. OTOH, anyone who is in even decent shape has tendons, muscles and posture that creates a look that stands out in stark contrast, all without even realizing it. That is, it's just the way you are.
Hemingway wrote a great series of stories about the Spanish civil war. In one, he noted that you could get killed simply by walking into the wrong bar. You didn't need to say or do anything, or be dressed in any special way. Like our Prague experience, everyone on each side knows who the other is. So, make sure you get the first drop. You may not be the one making the decision or issuing a challenge. A confrontation may not take place on a firing line, but rather simply walking down a street in "foreign" territory that wasn't properly vetted.
It's gonna be a bitch always, always on guard demanding situational awareness.
That’s a very good post on situational awareness, and the difference between our sides. Those scrawny losers always expect the .gov and police to do their heavy lifting. When it turns the other way (Chile, for example,) it goes south for them very fast.
“But it’s a two-way street: as easily as you/I can ID a freak, so too do they instinctively react to winners on first recognition/contact.”
Funny - my wife was just recounting the story from 30 years ago helping a friend move into a new apartment. Another friend of theirs that I hadn’t met showed up. I was 50 feet away picking up some garbage on the ground by the dumpster.
“Oh my gawd - there’s a homeless person going through your garbage!”