Friend or Foe, potential Ally

[PreppingPingu]

The way I look at it all, is that it is good to be forging good relationships in the here and now, with local friends, family and neighbours, or other community groups. (By community groups I mean Church, St.Johns, Neighbourhood groups, local Clubs etc) That way when things do go pear shaped, you know who has your back and who wants to take the clothes off it. You don't have to announce to the world that you're a prepper or what ever you wish to call it but by making these relationships now before life turns ugly, then you'll have a better chance of knowing friend or foe. Yes that does mean sticking your neck out and making new friends but like any friendship, you don't divulge your life history and all manner of personal details when you first make friends! (That goes for virtual as well as real world.) I would think that if you are prepared for what ever the future may throw at us, then you may not want to be forging new friendships at a time of crisis for the very reasons of trust and betrayal that have been mentioned before. Part of being prepared is having a network now that you can trust and use, be they mates or family, and hopefully that will be enough in the event of an crisis - personal or global. Most of us here aren't looking to create some utopian commune in the after event times!

[k.d.w.v.]

I get what your saying , I live rurally and the people in this area just it like it is so I'm used to been around good country types . Your right on the geography that it makes it hard but I'd think having a open bug out here and there could give some say single people younger ones of us etc some hope of a go to , for me I can drive cos we aren't heavily populated round here with many back roads etc .

[shutter speed]

I agree with something universally recognised. but in the same breath universally a secret symbol or phrase will become very universal and pretty soon it will be so widespread that everyone will recognise it.
and as one or two members on here rightly state just cos a person is a prepper it don't mean they have the same mind set as you. for example prepper 1 has prepped by storing food. prepper 2 has prepped by storing the means to steal prepper 1's supplies.
In my view its better the prepper you know than the prepper you don't. that's why am wanting to start a meetup in my local area the great people next door you shared a bbq with this summer could turn really nasty for something as simple as you parking your car on their bit of the road, ive had that happen to me. just imagine what they would be like in a prolonged situation without food or utilities if they knew you had some. I may not have much faith in human nature. but that's from personal experience. we see in America prepper families. who store and prep just for themselves. spending thousands of dollars on preps. thing is the beer swilling gang down the road can own guns too. and the only way you are going to put them off trying to take your stuff is if there are more of you than there are of them.
the preppers with common sense have realised this and have formed communities and groups which share a common interest and common values. the latter being something which seems to be lost here in the uk.

[Plymtom]

the preppers with common sense have realised this and have formed communities and groups which share a common interest and common values. the latter being something which seems to be lost here in the uk.

What do we mean by common values? Decent folk yes who's blood starts to boil at the thought of there being folk out there who would come after the assets of the prepared at the drop of a hat rather than do some themselves first? Or are we into the religious based American type thing? I've touched on this before, a sustainable community can do just that without having to steal, scavenge, or fight for what they need, less sustainable:- prepared but only for a certain period ( which is where most of us are) then desperation leads to the distasteful actions we fear and loathe in the bad from the off gang.
I'd say good luck, form groups, socially at first, get to know people, but really test their personality and make sure you are comfortable with just how your life would be within that community.

[CynicalSurvival]

Much though I like and respect many of the folks on here, it is unlikely we will cross paths ever, never mind in an emergency situation.

It would be valuable for people to develop their local networks, though. I have friends and family locally.. if things go seriously pear shaped I'll be clubbing together with them, because even if they are totally unprepared, they are people that I like and trust. Hopefully other friends from further afield would come and join us.

Preps or not, my 'nuclear family' wouldn't last a week if SHTF, but with a 'post apocalyptic tribe' including a huge range of skills, there is a chance. Humans started off in tribes of 100 or so and that is probably what it will return to. A major 'prep' (though not an obvious one) is to build that network and start sharing knowledge and skills, now.

[Plymtom]

A major 'prep' (though not an obvious one) is to build that network and start sharing knowledge and skills, now.

Distance and proximity are the issues are they not, I'd agree my nuclear family indeed if included blood relations in the same city would be hard pressed to get together and survive a crisis together, no other friends old or new are close enough and all in a similar boat unfortunately as regards banding together.
I like the idea but I'd have to be somewhere else to feel it worth trying with the locals

[Deeps]

Much though I like and respect many of the folks on here, it is unlikely we will cross paths ever, never mind in an emergency situation.

It would be valuable for people to develop their local networks, though. I have friends and family locally.. if things go seriously pear shaped I'll be clubbing together with them, because even if they are totally unprepared, they are people that I like and trust. Hopefully other friends from further afield would come and join us.

Preps or not, my 'nuclear family' wouldn't last a week if SHTF, but with a 'post apocalyptic tribe' including a huge range of skills, there is a chance. Humans started off in tribes of 100 or so and that is probably what it will return to. A major 'prep' (though not an obvious one) is to build that network and start sharing knowledge and skills, now.

I think there's a lot in this, its very much going to depend on what scenario you're looking at of course but if its a fairly serious situation, especially involving a fuel shortage then your family might not be able to reach you. Your neighbours might well be your new 'pack' and if its a short term problem it could well bring you together and win you some friends if you're in a position to help with food/water/heating etc. If its a longer term thing then it might be to your advantage to include some neighbours anyway, instead of saying "I've got 90 days food for the 4 of us" look at it as 360 days worth, that might be 36 days worth for 10 or whatever, if your neighbours think you're holding out on them while they're starving you might potentially end up with no food and a sore face anyway. What would you do if you had nothing and mouths to feed and you KNEW (well suspected but hey, its a bit mental at the moment) the guy along the road had food ? Safety in numbers will probably be your best chance and if that means feeding more people then that might well be what it comes down to.

Not all preppers are going to be on the same wavelength anyway, I'd rather 'team up' with someone I know is sound rather than a stranger with a load of gear, apart from the fact I would want to help a friend, a known quantity goes a long way, you're more likely to be loyal to each other and loyalty/duty can make a big difference to how people behave.

For what its worth, I can't foresee a situation that would go on longer than 3 or 4 days but I'm a prepper and I let my mind roam sometimes. While there might be some problems with a short term situation, especially in the larger towns and cities I would guess most people could cope for 3 or 4 days as long as there was water supplied but there would be plenty who would take advantage to behave like a***s because they can. Humans are social creatures and I think we work best when we work together, even the a-holes will work best as a team.

[Mad Scientist]

I'm quite happy to share my stash WITHIN REASON. When there was a burst water main that rendered my street without water for several hours, I offered bottles of water to my elderly neighbour and folks next door. No need to tell them about the huge supply I have, though. What most people would be happy to do is share with cautious moderation. In SHTF, by all means share carefully but it doesn't mean you have to sell your soul to them. One plan might be to arrange with your group who provides what. One of you is responsible for let's say, a certain amount of food, or for a period of time but beyond that no more. Another for lighting or cooking, if others bring their own food. Draw lines now or you get idiots turning up expecting you to blow their noses and wipe their bums for them for ever and ever. Being on your own is fine until you're sick or injured. Been there - it's just too scary!!!!!!