I have noticed many asking how to approach people to see if they are like minded or preparedness ready.
Times are tough for everyone right now and the easiest way that i have found is to just actually be honest and upfront (NOT REALLY )
So what i will usually do is start by the basics:

• So what do you think about the economy ?
  
  1. Usually this can lead into many things.
  2. The answer alone will tell you many things about this person /s
• Food prices are really getting high !
  
  1. Always let them lead you just point (meaning never give out to much info point them in the direction of an answer)
• I was thinking about possibly getting some extra food because i am not sure if i will be able to keep my job.
  
  1. Q: Why food ?
     A: I lost my job before but almost went hungry and i will not let that happen again, even if i am living somewhere like hotel, friends, parents etc. I will be less of a burden on people if i have my own food.
  2. I have noticed if i shop on sales and discounts i have more to put towards bills.
• How or are you doing anything to save money or cut costs ?

The conversation will have to go in your own direction these are just some BASIC ways and ideas to think about.
Once any of these were answered you would be able to tell right off if they are EVEN close to being or thinking about being prepared.
The answers or example answers i have given do not make you out to be a hoarder or gun toting nut case.
NEVER EVER start any kind of approach with POLITICS or religion !!

i find it works best to get to know them and become friends before bringing the subject up. i have both prepper and non-prepper friends. the preppers i go in on bulk buys and discuss MAG subjects with. the non-preppers i push to at least put back some basics and inform that i WILL defend my preps if necessary. as i go to the range with both types and they are all well aware of my shooting abilities (and i am aware of their lack of those same abilities) i doubt they'd risk getting on my bad side.

we talk about food prices and the economy a bit as well as mentioning the convenience of having food stocked.

If you are a prepper then you should be able to tell who the other preppers are. They shop the same sales that you do and buy in bulk too. Also they are close to the front of the line when stores restock ammo. I can spot a prepper a mile away and those are the people I am more likely to start a conversation with. They buy lots of dry beans and rice too. Our stores here are always running low on beans and rice by the way so pay attention to that. In fact I see more people commenting on the fact that the stores are narrowing their inventory. I have had to change my shopping days to when the trucks come in. We may be seeing more of this in time, so pay attention.

Preppers are the hungriest people I've ever seen

Actually, I have changed my approach regarding preparedness to one of silence. I don't want anyone to know I am a prepper. I don't talk about it with anyone anymore either. Except my mom, who is the one to help wake me up and is a prepper herself.

I have learned that there are those who 'say' they are prepping, but are only prepping to take other peoples preps by force. So I am not allowing myself to be a target.

I know it is a good idea to find other preppers. But not everyone thinks of prepping in the same way.

freedomlover wrote:I have learned that there are those who 'say' they are prepping, but are only prepping to take other peoples preps by force. So I am not allowing myself to be a target.

www.shtfmovement.com/post95150.html#p95150

Were i live it is amazing how many persons have the same fears about the economy and unrest in the world. I listen mostly to what others have to say around me, I never tell any persons and or family that we are prepping, when the time comes my children, grand children, and parents will be informed. I have written way to much already an the blog, loss lips sink ships. Just want to be under the radar.

Just had a great idea !!
From now on anyone that does NOT have more than 1 months supply of food is CRAZY in my book.
Screw it turn the tables around

I was approached by my best friend the other day about "getting some stuff together". He knew only some of the stuff I am doing. I advise you take revealing the web work of the planning it takes to be a prepper slowly to the non-preppers because he kind of freaked out. I am an extremely detailed person and when I laid out my rice, bean, & lentil purchase & storage model(he has a wife & 4 kids to prep for) he kind of freaked out. He didn't expect it to be that detailed of an explanation. I laid out how much 40# bags of rice cost and that it wouldn't even dent his food budget($18.94 here) and how to buy the mix of red beans and lentils(plans for both cooking and sprouting) and the fact that I get 5 gallon buckets to store them in. He is one of those sheeple that just kind of woke up in the middle of the herd. He was very concerned what his family and friends think, but is now terrified of the economy and the chance for collapse. I told him not to tell anybody. This kind of freaked him out too. It needs to be a very generalized, push them to make their own decisions and learn on their own type of conversation, just nudge them in the right direction, gently.