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OfflineDarwin23
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Registered: 10/08/10
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Navigating Dangerous Zones & Situations
    #26108249 - 07/14/19 04:51 PM (4 years, 6 months ago)

To elaborate on what this is, let me give you an example:
I had just traveled solo through a territory in Colombia that the US government won't even go to to rescue citizens. Despite an American actively being tortured in a political prison after being accused of spying and Maduro saying he upped border security, I illegally crossed into Venezuela (the government banned me from the country for humanitarian work.) Everything went perfectly until a guard called me over while I was heading back to Colombia. Just feet from freedom, I found myself facing a giant guard with an assault rifle. After going through my American passport he looked up and said: "You don't have the right stamps. Are you here illegally?"
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I'm sure you get the idea. After traveling through multiple regions labeled DO NOT TRAVEL by the State Department and after staying in some of the most dangerous cities on Earth, I'd like to share some of what I know with you. I'll try my best to break it down into 5 steps: Research, Be Observant, Emulate, Empathize, Manipulate.

1. Research
This is fairly straight-forward and isn't totally necessary but is definitely recommended. Study the customs, study the region/city, study the crime rates, study gang activity, study the map. You want to know so much that you don't walk into threats and you have an idea of how to escape them when you do.

2. Be Observant
This is multi-faceted. Alertness is the obvious component. Always watch for threats. If you can be overpowered by someone, keep your distance. If it's dark, keep your eye on shadows from any back-lighting. The second aspect is taking cues from others. More than likely, you wouldn't use this for your hometown, you're a foreigner in this situation. The locals know the area and culture better than you. Keep your eyes on everyone else. If people are tense and rushing, you can assume it's a dangerous area. If people are relaxed and carefree, you know you're safe.

3. Emulate
This heavily relies on your ability to observe. Again, you're a foreigner in this situation and to criminals, that makes you an immediate target. Waiting for a waitress at a table when the custom is to pay at the counter can mark you as easy prey. For this reason, I suggest observing others before trying something new (whenever possible.) The goal is to look like you belong. This goes for social groups or any kind of underworld you're trying to break into. Being unique is all well and good but it's incredibly dangerous in some situations.

4. Empathize
This is the most important on this list and it separates the generally safe from the spy-type people. If you assume everyone is a threat, you're going to look scared, ruffle feathers and stand out. If you slip up in your judgement, you could be robbed, kidnapped or killed. I'm not here to debate philosophy, but on the whole, people don't want to hurt others. People are generally good. Likewise, a thief isn't likely to murder you unless he's scared or panicked. He doesn't want a murder charge. He doesn't want that on his conscious. Similarly, every time a thief goes to rob someone, they're putting their own life at risk. Walk confidently but don't appear aggressive or like you're looking for a fight. Make them know that there is a real chance that they may die if they decide to fuck with you but don't invite a challenge.

Another aspect of empathy is realizing what will and will not bother people there. It is also reading everyone always (seriously, do this every single day.) I do it out of habit and for that reason, I can read people very quickly and very accurately. You can tell how someone was raised, what their worldview is, what drives them without ever saying a word to them. Without properly empathizing, the final step is weak.

5. Manipulate
After researching, observing, blending in and reading everyone around you, you have the tools to manipulate people. Rather than explain it, I'll go back to my story and you can see it in action:

My thoughts were racing: "Holy shit, this is how my life ends. I'm going to cause an international incident. My family will be broken while I'm in prison." I felt like the world was collapsing in on me. I began looking around to see how many guards stood between me and Colombia. The tall guard looked up at me and said in Spanish: "You don't have the right stamps. Are you here illegally?" Then it clicked.

I responded in very broken Spanish and mostly English: "Yeah, it's weird. I don't have a stamp from Colombia either." (of course someone who enters illegally won't have an exit stamp!) I was suddenly this oblivious American who just stumbled into Venezuela. Even though my response was proving that I was, in fact, there illegally, the glaring obliviousness and nonsensical reply created a character in his mind. Someone smuggling or spying couldn't possibly be so nonchalant. He said in English "I don't speak English", threw his hands up and handed me my passport back.


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OfflineDarwin23
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Registered: 10/08/10
Posts: 3,277
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Re: Navigating Dangerous Zones & Situations [Re: Darwin23]
    #26108286 - 07/14/19 05:13 PM (4 years, 6 months ago)

And for a little addendum:
In my prior research, I found the account of a single gringo from Norway crossing a few months before me. He was strip-searched, robbed and accused of being a gay drug addict smuggler. I left almost everything back at a friend's house in Colombia and only brought $20 with me.

I observed that the border wasn't very secure and their were thousands moving in and out on a daily basis. People that walked with their bags ready to be search seemed to have their bags searched.

I emulated the behaviors of the others on the bridge who cross on a daily basis. I walked casually, as if I had done it a million times before. I casually watched the military randomly calling people and searching them as if it was just another day at the office.

I empathized with the guards I was passing. I read them and tried to avoid presenting the character that they'd be inclined to search.

Using that empathy, I manipulated the guard. By intentionally speaking poor Spanish and acting oblivious to the gravity of the situation, I projected the image of someone harmless and empty-headed. The guard could've arrested me for being there, illegally. He could've simply checked my Passport in their systems and saw that I was banned from entering the country. By putting everything into practice, though, I seemed like such a minuscule threat that he didn't bother following up with anything. That's in stark contrast to the Norwegian who had entered only 2 1/2 months prior.


--------------------

Take a look at my journal


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