My relatives all refer to and/or describe me to others as a "Survivalist". "Survivalists" has attracted many disfavorable connotations. Since I don't yearn for TEOTWAWKI, and I do spend a great deal of time AWAY from home, and my family's safety and well-being is at the top of my "Priorities List", I have made and continue to improve on preparations against man made and/or natural disasters.
I will only accept the title of a "Preparationist" as an adequate description of who and what I am! Does this make sense to anybody else?

The best luck is the kind that you make yourself

Makes perfect sense.
I do a lot of hiking/camping, so most of my gear has dueal purpose. It can be used for long or short term "camping", like following an earthquake, for example. Of course a little extra gear for the rainy day doesn't hurt either <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Stay away from being labeled as an "ist" of any sort. Simply refer to yourself as "normal". <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I have a similiar semantic device:

"Survivalists" want the world to "end", so they can have thier blaze of glory. "Survivors" want to be there when the "end" is over, and I want to be one of those people.

I just tell people I'm a pack rat and a gear junkie.

Camper/Hiker/Hunter are all acceptable in our society. Saying you are preparing for anything immediately makes you a nut. I love the Wholesale Warehouses like Sam's Club because nobody looks at you funny for buying in bulk because they assume it is for your business.

My strategy is don't tell anyone in the real world as your door will the one they come knocking on. The only people that know I'm into preparing are on the internet.

That makes two of us

I have tried to educate some people in the past.
But I have given up.

Makes perfect sense! ... I'm refered to as the "survivalist" in my family also. When confronted by a PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER.,and it always seems to be a confrontaion, i calmy ask them if theyhave auto insurance, home owners insurance, health insurance ? then i ask them WHY? they always say just in case .

then i answer with .. my extra food and supplies are my families life insurance for just in case. usualy shuts them up fast.

I can't control much in my life. I can't contol world affairs and who may want to harm us. i can't control the weather ,floods hurricanes,blizzards. there is so much in my life , in our lives that we have absolutely not control over. one of the few things we can control is prpeparing for as many things we can't control. we live in a very scary world. you can call me whatever you want. the one thing you can't call me is UN PREPARED

I consider myself an "ant", of The Ant and the Grasshopper fable.

I'm just prepared a few winters farther along than anyone realizes.

My plan this winter is to fill my new ice house with harvested ice, and then I will be completely off the grid.

I usually make enough off hides from fall trapping to pay my property tax, and a few days of cash labor pays for a year of the few spices and luxury items, like wireless internet, I want.

Don't even try to label yourself for these people or anyone else. You aren't responsible for how or what they think. You can't control what they think. Don't try to justify yourself to mindless twits. It's a waste of time and energy.

You would be best off if you just closed your mouth, made your plans and kept them to yourself or your immediate family.

Sue