When entering a room.

Hello to all,
I woul like to take a moment to express some thoughts on entering a room. I have observed many a people walk into a room and the first thing they see is nothing at all. I can't tell you all how dangerous that could be. You see I am a police officer, and the first thing that obviously comes to my mind is safety. This one rule that most seem to let fall by the waistside often renders someone a victim, when it could have been avoided just by making eye contact. A quick note of advice, always make eye contact with the first person you see as you walk though a doorway. Yes, of course be courteous enough to smile and or greed with humility but respectfully. This is just that simple, always make eye contact with everyone you see, smile and say hello. This accomplishes many things, but if nothing else it sends a message to the would-be attacker/fighter/criminal, "hey I am someone who is confident enough to stare you in the eye and show no fear. After all what do we have to fear but fear it self. In other words we have nothing to fear but our own mind. Control your mind and you can control the universe. Any thoughts on this matter are welcomed, Thank You.

Nice post Dalyn, and welcome (relatively speaking) to aikiweb!

I suppose one thing that I've never noticed is how often people may or may not look me in the eye when they enter a room. Depending on the locale, coffee shop versus a bar on the corner, my inclination to greet strangers with at least a nod after mutual (and commensurate) eye contact will vary.

In either situation though, coffee house or beer house, my habit is to look at people's faces. One thing I've never kept track of is whether and how often people make eye contact with me when they are entering. Perhaps because I am already focussed on the activity I am there for?

If you try the search function, with these terms below you will likely find some enjoyable threads:
awareness, zanshin, surroundings, environment, oh, and "eye contact" (in quotes since it is two words)

Enjoy!

michael.

IMHO, environmental awareness and fear control precede technique.

Boy, are you on target Dalyn!

In fact, how about extending the awareness to entering a parking lot. Recently, in the Seattle area, two purse thieves caught on mall cameras have been fast -walking directly up to women, punching them in the face and stealing their purses. On camera, it shows the victim just leaving a mall entrance door, and BAM, they are hit.

I wish more women would stay close to the door and survey the lot, and where they parked their car. The option of going back into the store to have someone escort you out is available at most malls. Also, while walking down a sidewalk, I have turned around and looked directly at who is walking behind me.

Kristina

I used to be one of those 'bowed head' types. When I saw one of my friends walking down the street in a similar fashion and found myself thinking, "my God, they look like a victim," I decided to change.

Now I look at people. Never in their eyes, though. Just off to the side a bit. Or maybe at some area around their cheek or ear. Looking people in the eye always came off as too confrontational, I found.

Of course, I always just choose another street if someone looks a bit dubious. I also find myself judging danger by what people have with them. Anyone with a dog, pushchair or shopping, for example, will probably be preoccupied to start anything even if normally they might take a fancy to knifing me.

David Maidment wrote: Now I look at people. Never in their eyes, though. Just off to the side a bit. Or maybe at some area around their cheek or ear. Looking people in the eye always came off as too confrontational, I found. .

I think this is a good point to make. I think as a rule of thumb it's good to look people in the eye, but I've known folks who took direct eye contact as a threat...of course, a sincere smile usually goes a long way toward disarming that.

I heard that everyone lights up a room; some when they enter and some when the leave.

I guess its our choice how we enter and leave.

Choose wisely.

At least from a veteran police officer's perspective, scanning a room to look for things out of the ordinary, prospective dangers, and general layout was my practice. I specifically did not make eye contact with the inhabitants unless I perceived a challenge; physical, oral, or visual. After the scan revealed no obvious dangers, I would make eye contact with the bartenders, and wait staff.

The down side is that it is very hard to turn off the practice. I got "burned" my first time undercover when I scanned the bar as I entered. The bartender recognized the cop behavior and loudly asked "What can I get you officer?"

Michael Hackett wrote: The down side is that it is very hard to turn off the practice. I got "burned" my first time undercover when I scanned the bar as I entered. The bartender recognized the cop behavior and loudly asked "What can I get you officer?"

Police are VERY easy to pick out in a crowd when you know what to look for. From how they dress to try and fit in (Undercover guys wearing tactical boots comes to mind), where they put their hands when talking to you, body language, the scanning technique described above.

Same though can be said for someone with criminal or hostile intent (although obviously the signs are different)

First thing I do is smile, greet anyone who's close to me (has a big disarming factor) then the usual check for exits kinda thing.