Discussing with others

[scoobie]

I guess it comes down to what you are preparing for, and what you let others know about your preps.

My family now have winter car kits after getting stuck in snow, family members now see value in having a first aid kit. I guess I'm lucky that my immediate and extended family are all very practical people who can see the good reasoning behind things. There's always one or more of us with a torch, spare batteries, first aid kit, extra food or a pocket knife when its needed.

If they want to know more and learn more, I'm happy to point them in the right direction.

Not everything is about TSHTF though. Prepping should be about making your life easier for the blips along the way.

[jean405]

My daughter knows that if there is any kind of trouble, we meet up at my garden house. Now that she has her own she will probably go there, it's not too far away. We don't discuss this with anyone, most Danes would think I was mad, prepping is so far from the Danish mentality, at least in the area where I live.

Jean

[Dr_zoidberg]

Almost no one knows about my supplies. Except for my dad. Or any of my preparations besides a friend of mine who lives local and even they are somewhat in the dark about a lot of my prepping.

I'm very familiar with the concept of OpSec. You could spend years hoarding only to have the lazy sods who can't be bothered to prep come and steal all of your food. I don't want to be put in that situation. To many people have loose lips as well!

Having said that, i decided to keep someone in the loop. My survival strategy requires some back-up for defending my property and scavenging in the urban jungle. We can co-operate if TSHTF in these objectives. We co-operated during the riots last summer. I believe 1 or two trustworthy friends can be an asset. The key is not to let them know about your supplies so their less inclined to depend on you for them.

[the7ps]

When I first started putting a few bits away I think my wife thought it was a bit of a joke and Ide soon get bored so she started teasing me around friends and neighbours. After a few months, when we had a large stock of food, water, first aid equipment, emergency kit etc I think she realised I was actually quite commited and now doesnt breath a word. My Mum and Dad know but are over 600 miles away, so we cant help each other anyway.

Apart from that, its just me and the wife!

[PreppingPingu]

I drop hints to friends but tell them that I have a small amount which will just about see us thru for a week and after that we would be stuffed, which is of course not true, but I am hoping it will get them thinking about at least storing a few bits.

Dito. I am known for being the one always having plasters/safety pins/ screwdriver etc in her bag. I joke about being prepared and having some of the girl guide in me, but then say that I always have a few bottles of water incase of burst pipes or the water board doing some work. I recount to them the "onetime when..." having a few extra tins of soup made all the difference when both my husband and I were down with a nasty flu virus, one new years eve before we had our kids and how useful it is to have a few bits "just in case". While this is good to make people think, I unfortately now have one friend who will always turn to me as she knows I will always have x, y and probably z too! This does concern me in the case of a senario when supplies are short. Having said that, she is unaware that normally I have enough food for 3 months in the house. That is strickly fo me to know!

I do chat to my mum about "keeping a few extra bits and bobs" at home in the hope that she may do that too. And my girls know I like to be prepared. I was flattered when my husband said to one of them that they were just like their mother when she pulled something useful out of her bag! So my general day to day way of doing things hopefully helps those about me to think about being prepared without sending up a flashing neon sign above the house stating supplies this way!

[metatron]

I don't talk about it, my wife knows I like to buy in bulk to save money and I have an interest in the outdoors. There is no point making myself look bad in the eyes of society. I know women like to talk so I have no doubt all her friends would be turning up on my door step if I talked about long term stores and such.

[90.]

most of the people I work with know I'm interested in camping & bushcraft, & I tend to be the 1st contact when their car won't start or the drain is blocked etc however I don't tell anyone one I prep.
Though I work with others who prep, we know each other prep but don't openly discuss it lol
A busy edc-keyring and a bob in the car is an easy tell for those that know, a kind of preppers gaydar.. .

A few have noticed I carry water, tools and clothes in my vehicle but I prefer not to discuss prepping as a few have seen the nat geo series on prepping - say no more.!

my wife understands, but living in a modern house with tiny garden does not lend itself easily to prepping though plans are afoot to change that.!

If anything does happen I'm going to be selfish with supplies but generous with time & muscle.

regards all
90.

[Drama_Diva]

No, I wouldn't tell anyone. The only neighbour I'm friendly with is a gossip, so if I told her then news would spread.