Safehouses IRL Options

[Rubic]

Not compared to... say... Eastern Europe. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

~Umi

My response: Argumentum Ad Berlin Wall. Politically and militarily dominated areas will experience a homogenizing effect towards the dominating culture; possibly counteracted by significant regional/meteorological conditions, access to resources, etc.

[CanRay]

Uhm ... not entirely, no. Just like Turkey.

Istanbul is not Constantinople.

[hermit]

BIG mistake. They actually have VERY different cultural values and outlooks.

Many people are rather superficial in grouping people and then call this "cultural" because other words are now considered bad words. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[betterwatchit]

Keeping it on topic, government-owned property that isn't closely monitored is great for making safehouses out of. I know someone who's actually got a safehouse (never you mind where exactly) in a garage near some council flats. All he had to do was just put a new padlock on it! There wasn't a padlock there before, so the worst he could get done for is squatting. He's had it for about six years now!

[ShadowDragon8685]

On the topic of safehouses on not-closely-monitored government property, EPA contractors built several "Man Caves" in an EPA warehouse.

[Draco18s]

On the topic of safehouses on not-closely-monitored government property, EPA contractors built several "Man Caves" in an EPA warehouse.

You've been ninja'd by a few days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Secret mancaves found in warehouse leased by the EPA

Decent place to lay low.

[ShadowDragon8685]

You've been ninja'd by a few days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Yes, well... There's little shame in being defeated by a superior opponent, and it's hard to be anything but inferior to a (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

I bow my head in concession.

[CanRay]

I bow my head in concession.

Just don't take your eyes off the opponent when you do so. That is how you get kicked in the head.

Learned that the EASY way in Martial Arts when I was a kid.

[ShadowDragon8685]

Just don't take your eyes off the opponent when you do so. That is how you get kicked in the head.

Learned that the EASY way in Martial Arts when I was a kid.

A Kaiser-type helmet fixes that real quick. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[RHat]

That would depend on the kick.

[Umidori]

I understand it to be that lowering one's eyes is a sign of respect, and that you only hold eye contact as a challenge. Thus, two opponents going into a fight would maintain eye contact as a signal of their serious intent, but you'd always lower your eyes in respect when bowing to your sensei.

Even if you were about to spar, though, if your opponent lowers his eyes out of respect and you kick him in the head, that strikes me as extremely dishonorable.

~Umi

[RHat]

It differs from Japanese etiquette, yes, but some teach it that way.

[ShadowDragon8685]

I understand it to be that lowering one's eyes is a sign of respect, and that you only hold eye contact as a challenge. Thus, two opponents going into a fight would maintain eye contact as a signal of their serious intent, but you'd always lower your eyes in respect when bowing to your sensei.

Even if you were about to spar, though, if your opponent lowers his eyes out of respect and you kick him in the head, that strikes me as extremely dishonorable.
~Umi

'Round some parts they'd call it dishonorable, 'round others they'd call it bein' a low-down dirty no-good cheatin' varmint bastard, and 'round others still they'd refer to it as right unsporting. Either way, it means that people should not spar with that person, but should instead endeavor only to deliver a proper thrashing at any and all opportunities.

[CanRay]

I understand it to be that lowering one's eyes is a sign of respect, and that you only hold eye contact as a challenge. Thus, two opponents going into a fight would maintain eye contact as a signal of their serious intent, but you'd always lower your eyes in respect when bowing to your sensei.

Even if you were about to spar, though, if your opponent lowers his eyes out of respect and you kick him in the head, that strikes me as extremely dishonorable.

~Umi

It was summed up as: "When facing an opponent, do not remove your eyes from his body. It is a sign of disrespect, as it shows you feel you can block any blow he sends your way by instinct." My Sensei was a woman, BTW, before people jump on me for word usage.

There were a few rules about respect in the Dojo pertaining to that. Another one was never have your hands clasped behind your back. Only one person was allowed to do that where I was taught, and the guy was the scary fast Sensei. Also, no leaning.

I found a loophole in that, if I didn't lean against anything: "I'm working on my balance." That got a gaped mouth and a few attempts at a rebuttal, then finally a "Smartass" and an acknowledgement that I was using my mind and training my body, so it was good. Of course, I was "randomly" chosen for demonstrations for the next three months.

*Sighs* I miss those days.

[Umidori]

That's an interesting interpretation of lowered eyes. I personally wouldn't see it as arrogance, but as trust in the other person. I suppose different schools and different regions have different views on such things, though.

Of course, it depends on other details too. If someone is being insolent or mocking in the way they lower their gaze, I could see them getting smacked to induce humility, but one would think it's pretty obvious when broken eye contact is a sign of respect and when it's not.

~Umi

[CanRay]

Not eye contact, just keeping your eyes on the body. Arms and legs mostly. Don't drop your gaze from the person. Not stare them straight in the eye while you bow.

Sorry, wasn't specific.

What's that old saying, "In God we trust, everyone else keep their hands where we can damned well see them"?

[Umidori]

I'm fascinated by how humans have such "universal" body language. Where ever you go, empty hands and a lowered gaze means no threat, while hidden or full hands and a met gaze means danger or a challenge. Even bowing itself probably evolved from offering up one's neck, which we and most other mammals instinctively protect.

But speaking of martial arts and safehouses... *segue supreme*

Dojos and other martial schools also have a long history of sheltering people. It can be kind of hit-or-miss, depending on how much the school risks in hiding someone, but if nothing else belonging to a dojo offers you a pool of like-minded contacts to maybe set up a more private arrangement with.

~Umi

[CanRay]

And you could do a lot worse than a building full of people trained to defend themselves with whatever is handy.

Hell, even a Gym run by someone could work as a "Safehouse". A lot of really built people with heavy, heavy weapons ready to be swung.

Camping out at a gun range as well with the owners permission.

The problem with all of these is that you're usually going to at least have to get the owner/manager's permission, and you'll be putting a Contact at risk depending on who is after you. If it's a small gang, NBD. If it's the Yaks, well, that's a different story.

Of course, if they have history with the group hunting you as well... Especially negative history...

"The Halloweeners are after you? Stay as long as you want, but you're kitchen slitch. I owe them for torching my car. With my wife and kids in it."

[ShadowDragon8685]

And you could do a lot worse than a building full of people trained to defend themselves with whatever is handy.

Hell, even a Gym run by someone could work as a "Safehouse". A lot of really built people with heavy, heavy weapons ready to be swung.

Camping out at a gun range as well with the owners permission.

The problem with all of these is that you're usually going to at least have to get the owner/manager's permission, and you'll be putting a Contact at risk depending on who is after you. If it's a small gang, NBD. If it's the Yaks, well, that's a different story.

Of course, if they have history with the group hunting you as well... Especially negative history...

"The Halloweeners are after you? Stay as long as you want, but you're kitchen slitch. I owe them for torching my car. With my wife and kids in it."

Just make sure he's really interested in vengeance rather than perhaps turning you over as a peace offering to them.