View Full Version : Paranoia making anyone an introvert
So I have been noticing when I’m out in crowded places I get paranoid and begin to watch everyone that could be a potential threat to my family and me. Am I going crazy or are there more people like me in this forum??? I am becoming like my father, I would rather be at home or with close family and friends then going out. I am beginning to hate places like the mall, large crowds, and even Wal-Mart. Hoping that it’s not just an overactive trigger finger, pulling my weapon is that last thing I ever want to do![UZI]
Nothing wrong with situational awareness.
How's it go?
Smile, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
It is a good idea to be aware of your surroundings thats for sure.....but maybe overdoing it can add a lot more unneeded stress to an already stressful world. I have to learn to relax a little myself.
So I have been noticing when I’m out in crowded places I get paranoid and begin to watch everyone that could be a potential threat to my family and me. Am I going crazy . . . Hoping that it’s not just an overactive trigger finger, pulling my weapon is that last thing I ever want to do![UZI]
You need to relax. As bad as things are, they ain't that bad. Just common sense awareness of idiots paying too much attention to you or closing the distance are all you really need to do. And you should have options other than shooting them, especially if they're not actually attacking you.
BTW: everyone hates Wal-Mart, the mall, and large crowds, but don't confuse annoyance and misanthropy with paranoia. Paranoia = weakness. Relax.
Yea lex--I feel about the same and I've always kinda been that way. I've never liked being in large crowds but stores don't bother me.
I've always been very aware of my surroundings--yea--situational awareness but I was born and raised in Camden NJ--and lived-- LOL.
I don't consider it paranoia--it's personnel responsibilty.
Plus--no need to be paranoid if your preppared
2008f450
04-24-2011, 20:11
You are not alone. I have been in condition yellow for almost 20 years now. I am always scanning and checking out everyone around me. Its gotten a little worse since my boys came along.
BTW: everyone hates Wal-Mart, the mall, and large crowds, but don't confuse annoyance and misanthropy with paranoia. Paranoia = weakness. Relax.
Clint45 you could be onto somthing, lol. Made some good points. Thanks for the replys.
Not paranoid...just ready.
ldmaster
04-24-2011, 20:19
So i can GUESS which malls/stores he's talking about.
I never go to Aurora Mall at night.
I never go to the walmart on Exposition unless I've got someone to watch my back.
here's what I perceive of as a "problem"...
Seen the McDonald's thing? Beatings and the like happen in crowded public places ALL THE TIME. Nobody helps, nobody intervenes. You can end up dead just for looking at someone. It's almost happened to me a couple of times, the "mad dog stare" thing. Fortunately I carry things which tend to keep me safe, but I dont COUNT on them. For the same reasons you wouldn't walk in downtown Tripoli right now, I don't walk into some places anymore.
Yeah, we're brushing against the topic of "racial tension" because, face it, THATS where gang members or wannabe's (correction; gonna-be's) hang out to do some "work" for their set.
Aurora PD has two police officers assigned to the mall, but you'd be hard pressed to find them most of the time. They have security, but they're not much use in keeping you safe, they carry no form of weapon whatsoever, and their training is STRICLY 'observe and report'. Frankly, when one of those things breaks out - you need numbers, and one security guard with the right training and attitude wouldn't be much use.
Century `16 in Aurora? On a Friday night they have 4 APD officers working off duty.
having gone to different chain stores, I can say that if you switch WHERE you shop, your anxiety level will come down. Drive a few miles out of your way, it does help.
So I would say that it's your environment you're responding to, and it's normal. It's very very easy for someone to say, "calm down", but they're not in your position - and perhaps have no family to look after while out and about. I never ever dispose of someone's prickly feelings in these manners, because they're always some reason their hindbrain is telling them to get the heck out of there.
hurley842002
04-24-2011, 20:23
Not paranoid...just ready.
^^ this
Al tho large crowds certainly aren't my preference, they don't keep me locked away in my home. With that said, i'm not real fond of large events and crowded spaces, not paranoia, just don't like dealing with that many folks in one area.
What I do limit to the home, that I haven't always, is alcohol consumption. Too much that can happen IMO, and I don't want to be intoxicated if it does, i.e. not able to carry, altered mindset. I will drink at the house, or at a very close, like minded friends house.
gnihcraes
04-24-2011, 20:35
So I have been noticing when I’m out in crowded places I get paranoid and begin to watch everyone that could be a potential threat to my family and me. Am I going crazy or are there more people like me in this forum??? I am becoming like my father, I would rather be at home or with close family and friends then going out. I am beginning to hate places like the mall, large crowds, and even Wal-Mart. Hoping that it’s not just an overactive trigger finger, pulling my weapon is that last thing I ever want to do![UZI]
It's just the rest of us watching you watching us. Relax.
Vt7FDTpzGvo
I must say that I don't go to places like the Aurora mall or any other place like that the closes I come to that place is the Firing Line, Gander Mt (when they have deals), Sportsmans when it was still open, other than that I don't spend much time around there. To make sure people don't think I'm a racist I am Chinese (I hate everone equally, lol), and no I don't think they are going to take over the world, and I would be the first person to defend the stars and stipes if they tried. = )
ChunkyMonkey
04-24-2011, 20:46
I must say that I don't go to places like the Aurora mall or any other place like that the closes I come to that place is the Firing Line, Gander Mt (when they have deals), Sportsmans when it was still open, other than that I don't spend much time around there. To make sure people don't think I'm a racist I am Chinese (I hate everone equally, lol), and no I don't think they are going to take over the world, and I would be the first person to defend the stars and stipes if they tried. = )
Of course you dont have to go to the malls. Everything there is made in back home! What's new to see?
Your telling me it's hard to just buy things made here, I do try though!
ChunkyMonkey
04-24-2011, 20:52
hehehe.. I was baiting. I am Chinese and hate everyone equally too.
mcantar18c
04-24-2011, 20:58
Of course you dont have to go to the malls. Everything there is made in back home! What's new to see?
[ROFL1][ROFL2][ROFL3]
I'm always checking my sides and back when I'm out, when I walk through crowds its second nature to me to brush my hands against my pockets as I'm moving them to make sure everything still there every few feet or so and otherwise keep them at waist level-ish ready to block or throw a punch/elbow/whatever, when coming up on/walking around a corner I always walk a little bit out so I can see what's there instead of just walking into it, I never sit with my back towards people, places people could move to, doors, or windows if I can help it.
Nothing wrong with situational awareness.
So i can GUESS which malls/stores he's talking about.
You know you're in a bad neighborhood when you go into a fast food place to use the john and there are multiple chain locks on every piece of exposed pipe so the crackheads don't steal the urinal and rip the plumbing out of the wall.
I've been watching you. As soon as you let your guard down....you're mine.
SideShow Bob
04-24-2011, 22:01
The wife has no clue of what situational awareness is, every time I am out in public with her all she notices is the latest sale price and the fact that I am always looking at all the other women around us. We have had some pretty good fights about this when I try to explain that I am not looking at the women, but gathering information of our immediate situation and possible cover or escape routes if something were to go down.
Dusty Johnson
04-24-2011, 22:07
So i can GUESS which malls/stores he's talking about.
I never go to Aurora Mall at night.
I never go to the walmart on Exposition unless I've got someone to watch my back.
here's what I perceive of as a "problem"...
Seen the McDonald's thing? Beatings and the like happen in crowded public places ALL THE TIME. Nobody helps, nobody intervenes. You can end up dead just for looking at someone. It's almost happened to me a couple of times, the "mad dog stare" thing. Fortunately I carry things which tend to keep me safe, but I dont COUNT on them. For the same reasons you wouldn't walk in downtown Tripoli right now, I don't walk into some places anymore.
Yeah, we're brushing against the topic of "racial tension" because, face it, THATS where gang members or wannabe's (correction; gonna-be's) hang out to do some "work" for their set.
Aurora PD has two police officers assigned to the mall, but you'd be hard pressed to find them most of the time. They have security, but they're not much use in keeping you safe, they carry no form of weapon whatsoever, and their training is STRICLY 'observe and report'. Frankly, when one of those things breaks out - you need numbers, and one security guard with the right training and attitude wouldn't be much use.
Century `16 in Aurora? On a Friday night they have 4 APD officers working off duty.
having gone to different chain stores, I can say that if you switch WHERE you shop, your anxiety level will come down. Drive a few miles out of your way, it does help.
So I would say that it's your environment you're responding to, and it's normal. It's very very easy for someone to say, "calm down", but they're not in your position - and perhaps have no family to look after while out and about. I never ever dispose of someone's prickly feelings in these manners, because they're always some reason their hindbrain is telling them to get the heck out of there.
Well said!
If Aurora is home try moving to FAR south east Aurora.
The wife has no clue of what situational awareness is, every time I am out in public with her all she notices is the latest sale price and the fact that I am always looking at all the other women around us. We have had some pretty good fights about this when I try to explain that I am not looking at the women, but gathering information of our immediate situation and possible cover or escape routes if something were to go down.
Sorry to hear that. I complimented my wife just the other day as we entered a restaurant and were seated, she automatically sat down with her back toward the door. She said that after 20 years of marriage it is just second nature. She assumes that I am in the "yellow zone" all the time and if I say it's time to go, she is pretty quick about moving along. I am often the one who needs to be moved along because I tend to be long winded once I get talking. I trust her not to spend all of our money and she trusts me not to get us into, or to get us out of bad places. It just works out nicely that way. [Flower]
wctriumph
04-25-2011, 09:18
I prefer to think of it as Intelligent Caution.
Nothing wrong with being aware. I grew up in west Los Angeles and Orange County so I learned a long time ago to look for tells (something good from high school). Ran two drug dealers out of my "Hood" and my truck paid in a drive by. Happy to be here and not there, never going back to CA except to visit family out of the city.
Nothing wrong with you mate, stay alert for your family's sake.
It's not paranoia for me...I don't think. More of a very low tolerance in dealing with assholes and idiots. Just another example of stupification of society as a whole pushing me away from crowded engagements of large groups of morons.
Lex_Luthor
04-25-2011, 09:58
The wife has no clue of what situational awareness is, every time I am out in public with her all she notices is the latest sale price and the fact that I am always looking at all the other women around us. We have had some pretty good fights about this when I try to explain that I am not looking at the women, but gathering information of our immediate situation and possible cover or escape routes if something were to go down.
ARGHHH! SAME HERE!
funkfool
04-25-2011, 10:31
Paranoia making anyone an introvert
I wasn't going to ask this but... what do you mean by that?
[Peep]
:-)
The wife has no clue of what situational awareness is, every time I am out in public with her all she notices is the latest sale price and the fact that I am always looking at all the other women around us. We have had some pretty good fights about this when I try to explain that I am not looking at the women, but gathering information of our immediate situation and possible cover or escape routes if something were to go down.
Wow. Sounds like you need to use the magic words. Whenever she starts bitching at you like an irrational harpy, just look at her and say, "Shut your stupid yap." Either she will improve her behavior or she'll flip out and move back to her mother's. Either way you win.
Byte Stryke
04-25-2011, 11:35
It is not paranoia if there really is someone out to get you.
Wow. Sounds like you need to use the magic words. Whenever she starts bitching at you like an irrational harpy, just cover your groin look at her and say, "Shut your stupid yap." Either she will improve her behavior or she'll flip out and move back to her mother's. Either way you win.
Fixed it for ya...
[Peep]
Lochinver
04-25-2011, 11:46
Myself, I've instituted a little system.
Everyone I see that I don't know, I apply a number to them to a degree of threat. Everyone I don't know automatically gets a 2 and I go from there.
My scale goes to 5.
If it gets as bad as a 5, I definitely don't want to be there anymore. Thankfully, I've not run across a 5 yet since I've put in this system.
Well Funkfool it just seems like I would rather stay home than go out to big crowds if I don't have to. Use to work in a busy mall and it didn't bother me, but now it does. Might have went a little over board with the title but got peoples attention.
DeusExMachina
04-25-2011, 13:46
The Aurora Mall freaks me out during the day.
BREATHER
04-25-2011, 17:50
One should always be aware of their surroundings. How to get out if there is a fire or explosion. What the people around you are doing. Watching for some asshole on their cell phone and running you over with their shopping cart at Smaltzmart.
As far as Saudi Aurora goes, I don't even like driving through it.
And as far as racism goes, well who are the prisons full of. Well, for one, assholes. And if you came from a disfunctional retarded, crack family where would you be ???. Out fuckin' the "man".. Any libertard therapist will tell you that... They will also tell you " It is not their fault", "they can't help it because of their environment" . REALLY what a load of shit. Just cuz "their" family is fucked up, doesn't mean that me or my family shouldn't have a good, safe time.
We all need to be careful out there. Every morning when I leave for work, my last words are "be carefull out there"!!!!!!!!
AirbornePathogen
04-25-2011, 17:59
Agreed about Aurora, just moved from there 2 weeks ago, and good riddance. And to the OP, you're definitely not the only one. I remember about a year and a half ago, I was sitting at my old watering hole in the Springs with a buddy (not carrying, obviously), and he commented that I was sitting with my back to the wall, facing the door, and sizing up everyone that walked in as a potential threat. I didn't even realize i was doing it.
mcantar18c
04-25-2011, 18:05
And as far as racism goes, well who are the prisons full of.
Couldn't have said it better.
I happen to live in Aurora, albeit on the periphery of the combat zone. I'm of the mindset that I shouldn't be afraid of my surroundings, merely aware. As the Marines like to say "Be polite. Be professional. But be prepared to kill everyone you meet."
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