Gear

In the matter of standing out in a crowd, the world is filled now with Look At Me people trying to grab some spotlight. They’re on social media yammering about the latest grievance, clamoring for attention, crying that they’re ‘terrified’ of something or generally are a wad of crybabies seeking affirmation. Some of them actually work but still need the pat on the head every day to get through their lives. Their idea of personal protective equipment is a cell phone.

Others do their business and want to blend into the crowd. These are the gray men. I guess in today’s world they would be the Gray People because they can be men or women. They do their work, go about their business, tend to their families, and don’t stand out in any great form or fashion. They are prepared and practice situational awareness. Those who know of these things sometimes notice these people but don’t necessarily acknowledge them. The Gray People are just taking care of themselves and their families. Their idea of personal protective equipment is quite different. Should situations digress to nut-cutting time, they may then let themselves be known if they believe necessary to do so.

Until then, remaining gray — in the background, just another guy or gal — is critical. Here are three items you may find useful.