Well, it's being a few weeks since I discovered this forum and I guess it's time to quit lurking around. Hope you won't mind having me here, guys. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

My question is rather simple (although the answer is not): who are we? What's the word that define people like us?

We are not TEOTWAWKI people, but we love to be ready for whatever come our way; we are not violent people, but we carry edged tools that could be considered lethal weapons; we are not gadget freaks (well, perhaps a wee bit), but we tend to collect strange things; we are not survivalists (not, at least, in the sense we all know), but we have a high level of personal preparedness ... Well, you get the picture, don't you?

Then again, what/who are we?

PS. Excuse my syntax and grammar mistakes; English is not my native language, but I'm trying to improve.

This is an international forum with people of widely diverse perspective and background contributing their information politely for all to be better informed. I think that the most common characeristic I have witnessed on this forum is politeness (which is very refreshing considering the flame wars that consume other forums I visit!) There are some TEOTWAKI folks who contribute good stuff here on issues ranging from sheltering-in-place to how to plan evacuation routes. There are some here who wouldn't carry a gun and don't think that anyone should and yet have very good information on First Aid and risk avoidance. There are some here who consider the only reasonable use of an edged tool in an urban environment is for self defense and train accordingly I have learned much from them on edge geometry, knife care, carry, and deployment. I hate being labeled and find that most folks I know don't fit them well and resent having them applied.

I think tht this forum is truely a discussion forum and not a cultural gathering place. Folks from very different cultural perspectives gather here to discuss the issues of short-term survival until rescue in the face of unforseen extremes in circumstance of all kinds.

Yea, We are gear freaks too <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

'Course this is JMHO, YMMV. Another, more formal answer, may be had here and here

well i'm just a 16 year old who doesn't want to get cought with his trouwsers down, sort to speak. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

From my point of view the people here are polite, willing to learn and willing to share their knowledge and experience. Apart from that I wouldn´t label the folks here. So we most probably are a motley crowd. Maybe that´s why you can find an answer for most questions.
I consider myself to be an individualist and a gadget freak. Maybe I´m a little crazy (at least some people think so). I like to be outdoors. Preparedness was a side effect of my way of life. It comes in handy every now and then.<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

BTW:
Welcome. Have a good time here.

Always be prepared. I'd rather read the news than be the news!

Same. I'm a 16 year old who likes being prepared for everything I can. I agree that we cannot be labelled as survivalists because survival isn't the only thing most of us prepare for. We are also equipped to help around and make life easier.

I think the label that defines us is "Prepared for the unexpected."

By the way, welcome to the forum, and your English is flawless.

I like your question!! It makes one stop and think...what am I doing on here?? BTW, Welcome!
Ok, I think of myself in terms of being a person that loves the outdoors, particularly wild areas, without roads and often without trails. Often when one ventures to such places skills and equipment can be important tools. I like to share and learn about outdoorsman skills, basic emergency survival and first aid and about gadgets in terms of usefulness, reliability and necessity.
I like to help others by sharing my experiences with situations and equipment also. I am a gadget person, but not to the extremes of some folks. Also, because I own a bunch of gadgets, does not mean I carry them constantly, I like to have what I need, when I need it, if that makes any sense! I tend to use my head more than my pack straps, I guess! I prefer to know useful skills rather than carry a gadget to do it for me. Gadgets fail, batteries die, widget tools break or get lost. I like to carry minimums, yet be able to live comfortably in outdoor situations. Hope that explains me:)

Wow, that's a lot of responses! Thank you, guys, for sharing your knowledge and point of view. I specially liked the "Prepared for the unexpected" definition. I guess I wouldn't mind being labeled as such.

Thank you again, nice people. You are awesome!