Ever Try To Talk....

[oldsoldier]

To a close relative or long time friend about joining your survival group?

I have with one of each and here were the responses. One informed me, "that's a depressing thought" about any disaster and then proceeded to ask me if I knew any good vacation places.

The other said, "things will get better" and then proceeded to lecture me about being sure to vote. In both cases I had expressed my thoughts about the financial condition of the treasury and so forth.

WTF, I started thinking briefly that it must be me. I did snap out of it quickly.

I'm just curious if anyone else has had similar experiences. My group is at 4 now and they would have made 6-8 which is a number I consider ideal but not written in stone.

Any thoughts, comments, experiences?

[Snow Walker]

To a close relative or long time friend about joining your survival group?

I have with one of each and here were the responses. One informed me, "that's a depressing thought" about any disaster and then proceeded to ask me if I knew any good vacation places.

The other said, "things will get better" and then proceeded to lecture me about being sure to vote. In both cases I had expressed my thoughts about the financial condition of the treasury and so forth.

WTF, I started thinking briefly that it must be me. I did snap out of it quickly.

I'm just curious if anyone else has had similar experiences. My group is at 4 now and they would have made 6-8 which is a number I consider ideal but not written in stone.

Any thoughts, comments, experiences?

Great thread topic!

I give up on my family when it comes to this aspect of things. Without going into detail I pretty much got the same responses you did. Hell, I'm still trying to convince my wife to be honest!

I'm on this forum to hopefully meet up with others near by. Too bad your way down there!

From my experience people get the wrong idea when they hear survival or preparing for the most part. I have always been the prepared type because of my up bringing and military background. It's funny though...I have been in minor situations where people have said "THANK GOD YOU WERE PREPARED", but go figure...being prepared for something worse isn't something they can comprehend.:confused::confused:

[badkarma]

It seems like you're trying to talk them into WHETHER to join a survival group, not why to join your group. Convincing people, who have spent their entire lives in denial, that there is a problem is almost impossible. They have to see the issues themselves and then decide to act. Otherwise they will be a liability for you. I fully understand, and sympathize with, your desire to help your friends/family help themselves, but they have to understand WHY they need help in the first place.

If they don't see it themselves, it's like trying to explain to a color-blind person why camouflage works.

[Snow Walker]

It seems like you're trying to talk them into WHETHER to join a survival group, not why to join your group. Convincing people, who have spent their entire lives in denial, that there is a problem is almost impossible. They have to see the issues themselves and then decide to act. Otherwise they will be a liability for you. I fully understand, and sympathize with, your desire to help your friends/family help themselves, but they have to understand WHY they need help in the first place.



If they don't see it themselves, it's like trying to explain to a color-blind person why camouflage works.

Good points. I like your comparison and by the way where did you get that avatar?

[oldsoldier]

Great thread topic!

I give up on my family when it comes to this aspect of things. Without going into detail I pretty much got the same responses you did. Hell, I'm still trying to convince my wife to be honest!

I'm on this forum to hopefully meet up with others near by. Too bad your way down there!

From my experience people get the wrong idea when they hear survival or preparing for the most part. I have always been the prepared type because of my up bringing and military background. It's funny though...I have been in minor situations where people have said "THANK GOD YOU WERE PREPARED", but go figure...being prepared for something worse isn't something they can comprehend.:confused::confused:

Yeah my wife thinks of it as the Homestead Act and being a prairie woman but I can deal with that. We have a good mix of skill sets but I just had to ask the people I mentioned.

It is too bad about different locales. I did the cold weather states over 20 years and did like the winter mountain climbing, winter hiking and cold weather camping down to -30F. These old bones do not like cold any more.

OTOH a tropical state like this presents its own challenges. We have heat indexes of 95*-115* for near 6 months and we rarely have a cold day. The other 6 months it's still warmish or hot. I have been through this tropical bit but long ago. Not complaining mind you just mentioning weather opposites in our country.

I agree about the military keeping us prepared. Once we get the worst case scenario experience we don't lose it.

[oldsoldier]

It seems like you're trying to talk them into WHETHER to join a survival group, not why to join your group. Convincing people, who have spent their entire lives in denial, that there is a problem is almost impossible. They have to see the issues themselves and then decide to act. Otherwise they will be a liability for you. I fully understand, and sympathize with, your desire to help your friends/family help themselves, but they have to understand WHY they need help in the first place.

If they don't see it themselves, it's like trying to explain to a color-blind person why camouflage works.

I've never been very materialistic compared to both people I asked. One of the people should be even more hip than myself about money matters going on. I tried though. In both cases I just think the good life is something neither can let go or wants to even think about. Thanks for your reply I appreciate it.

[Snow Walker]

Yeah my wife thinks of it as the Homestead Act and being a prairie woman but I can deal with that. We have a good mix of skill sets but I just had to ask the people I mentioned.

It is too bad about different locales. I did the cold weather states over 20 years and did like the winter mountain climbing, winter hiking and cold weather camping down to -30F. These old bones do not like cold any more.

OTOH a tropical state like this presents its own challenges. We have heat indexes of 95*-115* for near 6 months and we rarely have a cold day. The other 6 months it's still warmish or hot. I have been through this tropical bit but long ago. Not complaining mind you just mentioning weather opposites in our country.

I agree about the military keeping us prepared. Once we get the worst case scenario experience we don't lose it.

You bring up a very good point about the weather differences. I can't stand the humidity and your issues are with the cold. Now think about how tough that would be on you or I in a situation where we might have to evacuate. Either myself to your area/environment or youself to mine in the dead of winter. There would definately be some issues getting acclimated for sure and/or needing different gear.

It will be hitting 91 up here today. I think that's why I like it up here so much...we pretty much get hit with everything when it comes to weather. Winters are long though.

[badkarma]

Good points. I like your comparison and by the way where did you get that avatar?

One of the guys at work had it as a sametime chat smiley, I grabbed it. I don't know where it originally came from. It's kind of funny in a simple, no frills way.

[oldsoldier]

You bring up a very good point about the weather differences. I can't stand the humidity and your issues are with the cold. Now think about how tough that would be on you or I in a situation where we might have to evacuate. Either myself to your area/environment or youself to mine in the dead of winter. There would definately be some issues getting acclimated for sure and/or needing different gear.

It will be hitting 91 up here today. I think that's why I like it up here so much...we pretty much get hit with everything when it comes to weather. Winters are long though.

It does take time to acclimate from cold to tropical or vice versa. I had a real good cold tolerance up north but it took me years to regain my tropical tolerance. Getting back to my original post both people LOVE Florida maybe more than me but one is in VA. the other NY. I know those states well enough and both are pretty good. Like I say here we have two seasons...Hot As Hell and not Hot As Hell.

[Echo2]

Talking to someone about "survival"...will turn most off......talk to them about "preparing a bit"....usually goes better.

Wording is everything.....when you say "survival"....most get scared....they don't like to think about having to do something to survive. If you get them in on the idea of preparing to be more "comfortable"...then they may be more responsive.

Be prepared to give examples of how being prepared has helped many folks to be "comfortable" though adverse conditions.

"You wouldn't want to end up at the superdome would you?"

"What would you do if your child said they were hungry?"

You can fain to be in the same boat as they are and wouldn't know where to begin....and then start to formulate a plan.....even if you already have one enacted....Some folks like for it to be their idea....SO BE IT.....as long as they start to prepare. Once they see you have given it some real thought....they will usually see logic where logic needed.

If you can talk someone in to having enough supplies to run for a month without restocking....they are better than the other 99% of the populace.....If you can get them to 3 months.....even better.....a year....less than 1/30th of a percent have that on hand.

So don't expect miracles...just lead them to the path....you can't force them to take it.

Good luck...Echo2

[oldsoldier]

You're right Echo2 that approach of having supplies on hand is a good one compared to the more direct route in trying to talk to others about survival. Another thing I didn't mention before is personalities. As things stand now my group is better off because there would be clashes within all 8 possible people I am positive. With the group as is not too much.

In any isolation situation that is something I'm going to consider because it could go a year maybe more. For a few months I could handle squabbles. In any event my RSVPs are over lol. If it comes to be more people somehow so be it.

I think you know as I and others here do, our country has had it too soft for too long and just not seen the other side of life. There's just no talking to people in many cases and minimal in others who aren't like minded. Thanks for the good reply it's right on the money.

[Echo2]

I've done a few prepping seminars...and worked as a consultant for a couple families.

The way you word everything is the difference between looking like a nut job or a Boy Scout.....(I prefer the Scout....:)...)....even if the end goal is the same.

I've had prepper folks ask why I bothered trying to get others (sheeple) to prep....the answer is simple.....it will be one less person I have to worry about if the SHTF.

[Oscar Wilde]

To a close relative or long time friend about joining your survival group?

No .... no group here. When the ocassion arises I do talk with folks regarding current events and the effect on us as a society and individually and the possible solutions to potential problems. Some folks are on their game, some clueless but receptive, others look at me as if I had a third eye.

I would not be actively "recruiting". Let the discussion topic lead them.

O.W.

[Stitch]

Where I live getting people into the woods is a challange. A few years ago I bumped into one of the female bar tenders from a bar I worked security whlie stationed in Yuma. I told her how great the geography was here, about the waterfall, local swimming holes, etc. She looked at me like an insect and said "I don't go to the woods." She has a set of bolt-ons and manicured nails.

My wife and I have taken a few tracking classes, some private & one through the local community college from the same guy. At one point he decided to have an invite only trip for people that had previously taken at least one of his classes. Twelve people were invited. My wife & I were the only ones that showed up.

I guess the people where I live rather smoke dope and play guitar hero.

[TennOutdoors]

considering most of the looks I get when I mention stocking up extra food and some gear for a disaster. I dont tend to bother bring it up with most people.

the last hurricane I went thru should have taught the people I know to do so, since they used me to get them around in my snorkeled scout or canoe after the area flooded. and ate my food. but nope as soon as things returned to normal, they were back to blowing cash on MP3 players, Ipods, Xboxes and what ever else was the fad of the day. no amount of conversation got thru to them that it could and would happen again.

When I bartended, most of my regulars couldnt understand what appeal I found in spending my free time in the woods, offroading, horseback riding, hiking or canoeing.

one Woman asked me if I was trying to show how manly I was by doing stuff like that. LOL.

Ive also gotten alot of " man thats a beautiful area, Id love to see that in person" by people looking at my pictures. then look at me like Im crazy when I tell them how far I had to go into the woods to get those pictures LOL.

funny though how after all those hurricanes, there were alot of rich women divorcing rich husbands with no life skills and started dating men who could actually fix things and deal well with emergencies.