The “Interview Ping”: An Information Gathering Self-Defense Tool | Active Self Protection Extra
I use the “interview ping” all the time when visual cues aren’t giving me enough information in my awareness and analysis of potential threats. It’s all about information gathering for self-defense that can keep you out of a fight, so use it!
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Northern NH, wilderness. Encounter a stranger driving a back country road. Wave or say hello, if they avert eyes and ignore you, they are from the city and scared you intend to eat them.
Definitely something we use constantly at church while doing security, be a door greeter, look everyone in the eye, welcome them in, ask how they're doing, they are going to have a real hard time hiding those indicators if their intentions are not amicable that day..
The ping, as you call it, at least in my humble experiences, also tends to weed out the vulture, opportunistic criminals because you are making eye contact, and engaging them, when they would just rather not be noticed until they strike, and saying to them "I am not afraid, I am aware and squared, and I see you". This then just leaves the predators, and body language and the response back will help determine that. Another tool for the bag.
I think initiating contact with someone who means you harm, versus just getting as much distance and leaving the area, is not really a great strategy. If you are stuck, maybe at a sporting event, then just try to not make as much eye contact and just focus on the game, just keep them in the back of your mind. Making contact to a person who is agitated with you or wants to harm you could instigate them. Ignoring them or engaging them are both rolls of the dice. I would rather roll the dice by not giving them a reason to feel provoked. When I was in armed security and would sweep properties, yes we would initiate contact with guys giving us leary looks, and we would even challenge them if that "ping" came back negative. But if you are not an authority figure, in a public space or a private space, I would skip the initiating contact, you could end up provoking an encounter. If they did mean ypu harm and you make them feel "caught in the act," or like you know what they are up too they might get frustrated and just attack you rigjt then and there.
Hey John!! Can you do a vid on the ATF bump stock issue? We only have until January 25th to let the ATF know that we do not approve. Legally armed America has a petition he started and I'll share the link and also Gun Owners of America has a petition that we can sign. Thanks brother
I have used this technique without knowing but here in UK I'm more worried about people harming themselves. So many people with disturbed minds it's so hard to know the risk of offering help or just talking to someone who might need to talk. Often just saying Hi can eliminate the threat as you no longer seem threatening. Just keep your guard up.
They may answer, "Do I know you? They may say, "Stop! Stay away from me I can't help you, leave me alone!" Both of these answers would indicate to me that you had just made them uneasy by approaching them. Could that "One Ping" cause them to go from condition yellow to condition Orange unnecessarily?
Caveat: I am Midwestern born and raised and lived many years in So Cal ( L.A and San Diego).
If you speak to a stranger in.So Cal , many folks will take that as an affront. Their attitude is "You don't know me so why are you talking to me- What's your angle"?). So if you greet a stranger chances are you're going to get a negative response anyway.
John, you are a trailblazer in the lexicon of gun rights movement. The interview Ping, Rules of Stupid, Platforms. Hey there’s a strange guy over there. No worries, I Pinged him but well still follow the Rules of Stupid and keep clear of him while keeping our weapon platform in mind.
John I️ really enjoy and learn a lot from your videos. I️ have one question, were you ever a cop? If so how long and where? I️ know I️ said one question…
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Northern NH, wilderness. Encounter a stranger driving a back country road. Wave or say hello, if they avert eyes and ignore you, they are from the city and scared you intend to eat them.
Definitely something we use constantly at church while doing security, be a door greeter, look everyone in the eye, welcome them in, ask how they're doing, they are going to have a real hard time hiding those indicators if their intentions are not amicable that day..
The ping, as you call it, at least in my humble experiences, also tends to weed out the vulture, opportunistic criminals because you are making eye contact, and engaging them, when they would just rather not be noticed until they strike, and saying to them "I am not afraid, I am aware and squared, and I see you". This then just leaves the predators, and body language and the response back will help determine that. Another tool for the bag.
I think initiating contact with someone who means you harm, versus just getting as much distance and leaving the area, is not really a great strategy. If you are stuck, maybe at a sporting event, then just try to not make as much eye contact and just focus on the game, just keep them in the back of your mind. Making contact to a person who is agitated with you or wants to harm you could instigate them. Ignoring them or engaging them are both rolls of the dice. I would rather roll the dice by not giving them a reason to feel provoked. When I was in armed security and would sweep properties, yes we would initiate contact with guys giving us leary looks, and we would even challenge them if that "ping" came back negative. But if you are not an authority figure, in a public space or a private space, I would skip the initiating contact, you could end up provoking an encounter. If they did mean ypu harm and you make them feel "caught in the act," or like you know what they are up too they might get frustrated and just attack you rigjt then and there.
My .02 cents.
Hey John!! Can you do a vid on the ATF bump stock issue? We only have until January 25th to let the ATF know that we do not approve. Legally armed America has a petition he started and I'll share the link and also Gun Owners of America has a petition that we can sign. Thanks brother
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.change.org%2Fp%2Fdonald-trump-please-help-prevent-this-silent-attack-on-americans-2nd-amendment-rights%3Frecruiter%3D851037074%26utm_source%3Dshare_petition%26utm_medium%3Dfacebook%26utm_campaign%3Dshare_for_starters_page%26utm_content%3Dex50%253Av4&html_redirect=1&redir_token=43gDFvlpw1Y76Pc_gN8wR41IuAB8MTUxNjQzMjgzN0AxNTE2NDMxMDM3&v=OeZGU57Z6NI&event=video_description
There's a lot of well-thought out advice here. Good one, John!
This is why I subscribe! Great stuff man!
I have used this technique without knowing but here in UK I'm more worried about people harming themselves. So many people with disturbed minds it's so hard to know the risk of offering help or just talking to someone who might need to talk. Often just saying Hi can eliminate the threat as you no longer seem threatening. Just keep your guard up.
TRUST YOUR GUT.
They may answer, "Do I know you? They may say, "Stop! Stay away from me I can't help you, leave me alone!"
Both of these answers would indicate to me that you had just made them uneasy by approaching them. Could that "One Ping" cause them to go from condition yellow to condition Orange unnecessarily?
if someone pinged me like this outta nowhere, i'd be like " (-_-) wtf man, I don't even know you, why're you talking to me?"
Caveat: I am Midwestern born and raised and lived many years in So Cal ( L.A and San Diego).
If you speak to a stranger in.So Cal , many folks will take that as an affront. Their attitude is "You don't know me so why are you talking to me- What's your angle"?). So if you greet a stranger chances are you're going to get a negative response anyway.
John, you are a trailblazer in the lexicon of gun rights movement. The interview Ping, Rules of Stupid, Platforms.
Hey there’s a strange guy over there. No worries, I Pinged him but well still follow the Rules of Stupid and keep clear of him while keeping our weapon platform in mind.
John I️ really enjoy and learn a lot from your videos. I️ have one question, were you ever a cop? If so how long and where? I️ know I️ said one question…
This is fucking AWESOME. Thank you so much. I'm going to use this in my Defensive Handgun class and credit you for it if you don't mind.