Mata-Lećo
05-18-2009, 12:19 PM
I am not an advocate of wearing sunglasses unless it is absolutely necessary for me. Below are strictly my personal preferences - glad to hear yours too.
Working in Costa Rica where the UV index is usually 10 (on a scale from 1-11) does put a strain on my eyes at some times of the year depending upon my day. But, I do feel more comfortable WITHOUT sunglasses should certain scenarios arise. Such as:
1. Direct eye contact with a possible threat - individual(s). I have found in my travel throughout Costa Rica and Panama that bare eye contact has served me much better than the mystique of a bodyguards eyes hidden behind sunglasses. I do not at any point in time take on the face of a 'mean-looking' guy. Nor the facial expression of a confrontational individual. I simply exude complete awareness, focus and relaxed confidence - so as to project to 'would-be-evil-doers' that not only am I very much alert and ready for whatever presents itself, but my relaxed confidence reflects that I have done this thousands of times before. This type of non-confrontational outward appearance makes certain to not instigate an issue also. Furthermore, when the Principle is constantly in the company of other businessmen, conducting meetings with investors and such, this type of persona is much more appeasing.
I have seen bodyguards that feel the need to look like they have just had a very rough Colonoscopy...angry at the world! To the general public, this might seem like a scary person. But in my opinion, to the highly abled, motivated assailant - this type of bodyguard is not seen as MUCH of a threat when compared to the intelligent, focused, deeply alert and seasoned looking bodyguard.
Take for instance a pro boxer. Boxer "A" is in the corner aggressively bouncing around looking very mean and pounding his gloves together. He is doing everything he can to project the meanness of a rabid pit bull. He looks like he is experiencing a constant adrenaline dump. This morning he sprinkled PCP on his Wheaties.
NOW, to the regular attendant of the boxing fight who is unaware of the intricacies of fighting and physical battles, this would appear quite debilitating.
Boxer "B" is very calm. He is fully aware that his training regimen was highly efficient and his cardio for this fight is top notch. His stare at his opponent is one of confidence and focus. His movement is not exaggerated. There is nothing that he is doing in his corner to try to instill fear in his opponent. His training and ability will speak for themselves when necessary, just like it has in his previous fights.
To the savvy individual - Boxer "B" is actually the one that is very menacing. He is the one to be feared.
Point being: A lot or ALL of this can be conveyed with bare eye contact. I personally want to be able to have this tactic at my disposal and not have my eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses.
On the flip side, I am constantly reading individuals eyes with my own to get a taste of what their intentions might be. Their eyes, along with their gait/stride, type of shoe et cetera, are just a couple of things I start to analyze immediately.
2. Possible physical altercation where having sunglasses on could result in cuts/abrasions on the face and eyes. Also, due to different styles of glasses, this could cut down or inhibit very important peripheral view.
3. Worst case scenario - weapon deployment. My years at the range have been spent with shooting glasses on, but not sunglasses. I prefer clear lenses to the yellow shooting lenses to simulate what I actually see everyday. I belonged to an outdoor range in Texas. Some days were cloudy and some days were extremely bright. I found that it took hardly any adjustment to my eyes to be able to use my weapon in an effective manner.
One thing that some sunglasses do provide negatively for me are a bent objective. An askewed vision due to the curvature of the lenses. Some glasses being slight and some greater. In a high threat scenario where actions are coming fast and decisions are being made rapidly, I do not want to have sunglasses becoming an unwanted variable. Especially when transitioning from outside buildings to inside buildings, or bright sun to dark shade.
I do own sunglasses and wear them only when needed, which is very little. I use Oakley T-Wire w/ polarized lenses. Because they are small in size, they fit close to my eyes therefore offering me an unhampered view.
When my client is going to be traveling on foot from building to building in the San Jose Red Zones AND it is sunny outside, I will take them with me. After a few hours, I might have to wear them due to eye strain from constantly scanning and focusing...especially with the UV index being high.
It can take me only a couple of days for my eyes to acclimate, thus depend-on wearing sunglasses to the point that when NOT wearing them, my eyes are highly sensitive - sometimes taking a very long time to adjust to a normal sunny day. Other days that are exceptionally bright make it to where my eyes just WON'T adjust (this is after I have been wearing sunglasses for a few days straight).
Bottom line is, I personally do not appreciate this type of transition. And, I have had great success with bare eye contact towards questionable persons in my clients immediate vicinity which has proven to be a very positive deterrent.
Not to mention how silly it is to see a 'protective agent' wearing sunglasses indoors...can you say "Hollywood."
Working in Costa Rica where the UV index is usually 10 (on a scale from 1-11) does put a strain on my eyes at some times of the year depending upon my day. But, I do feel more comfortable WITHOUT sunglasses should certain scenarios arise. Such as:
1. Direct eye contact with a possible threat - individual(s). I have found in my travel throughout Costa Rica and Panama that bare eye contact has served me much better than the mystique of a bodyguards eyes hidden behind sunglasses. I do not at any point in time take on the face of a 'mean-looking' guy. Nor the facial expression of a confrontational individual. I simply exude complete awareness, focus and relaxed confidence - so as to project to 'would-be-evil-doers' that not only am I very much alert and ready for whatever presents itself, but my relaxed confidence reflects that I have done this thousands of times before. This type of non-confrontational outward appearance makes certain to not instigate an issue also. Furthermore, when the Principle is constantly in the company of other businessmen, conducting meetings with investors and such, this type of persona is much more appeasing.
I have seen bodyguards that feel the need to look like they have just had a very rough Colonoscopy...angry at the world! To the general public, this might seem like a scary person. But in my opinion, to the highly abled, motivated assailant - this type of bodyguard is not seen as MUCH of a threat when compared to the intelligent, focused, deeply alert and seasoned looking bodyguard.
Take for instance a pro boxer. Boxer "A" is in the corner aggressively bouncing around looking very mean and pounding his gloves together. He is doing everything he can to project the meanness of a rabid pit bull. He looks like he is experiencing a constant adrenaline dump. This morning he sprinkled PCP on his Wheaties.
NOW, to the regular attendant of the boxing fight who is unaware of the intricacies of fighting and physical battles, this would appear quite debilitating.
Boxer "B" is very calm. He is fully aware that his training regimen was highly efficient and his cardio for this fight is top notch. His stare at his opponent is one of confidence and focus. His movement is not exaggerated. There is nothing that he is doing in his corner to try to instill fear in his opponent. His training and ability will speak for themselves when necessary, just like it has in his previous fights.
To the savvy individual - Boxer "B" is actually the one that is very menacing. He is the one to be feared.
Point being: A lot or ALL of this can be conveyed with bare eye contact. I personally want to be able to have this tactic at my disposal and not have my eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses.
On the flip side, I am constantly reading individuals eyes with my own to get a taste of what their intentions might be. Their eyes, along with their gait/stride, type of shoe et cetera, are just a couple of things I start to analyze immediately.
2. Possible physical altercation where having sunglasses on could result in cuts/abrasions on the face and eyes. Also, due to different styles of glasses, this could cut down or inhibit very important peripheral view.
3. Worst case scenario - weapon deployment. My years at the range have been spent with shooting glasses on, but not sunglasses. I prefer clear lenses to the yellow shooting lenses to simulate what I actually see everyday. I belonged to an outdoor range in Texas. Some days were cloudy and some days were extremely bright. I found that it took hardly any adjustment to my eyes to be able to use my weapon in an effective manner.
One thing that some sunglasses do provide negatively for me are a bent objective. An askewed vision due to the curvature of the lenses. Some glasses being slight and some greater. In a high threat scenario where actions are coming fast and decisions are being made rapidly, I do not want to have sunglasses becoming an unwanted variable. Especially when transitioning from outside buildings to inside buildings, or bright sun to dark shade.
I do own sunglasses and wear them only when needed, which is very little. I use Oakley T-Wire w/ polarized lenses. Because they are small in size, they fit close to my eyes therefore offering me an unhampered view.
When my client is going to be traveling on foot from building to building in the San Jose Red Zones AND it is sunny outside, I will take them with me. After a few hours, I might have to wear them due to eye strain from constantly scanning and focusing...especially with the UV index being high.
It can take me only a couple of days for my eyes to acclimate, thus depend-on wearing sunglasses to the point that when NOT wearing them, my eyes are highly sensitive - sometimes taking a very long time to adjust to a normal sunny day. Other days that are exceptionally bright make it to where my eyes just WON'T adjust (this is after I have been wearing sunglasses for a few days straight).
Bottom line is, I personally do not appreciate this type of transition. And, I have had great success with bare eye contact towards questionable persons in my clients immediate vicinity which has proven to be a very positive deterrent.
Not to mention how silly it is to see a 'protective agent' wearing sunglasses indoors...can you say "Hollywood."