Priorities are what motivate each of us. Excuses are simply what we use to counteract any action so once again indecision sets in and your circle of frustration grows.

Words of wisdom. While I myslef live off the beaten path I'm nowhere far enough to avoid all human contact. Still, you have your way of living your life and I have mine. Who was right or wrong will be decided once we cross the finish line

And again there is more irony as often my definition of Wisdom might come down to being "That which that which one can proclaim having, after having done something stupid and lived long enough to talk about it"! 😀

But as I live in country where some of the Ice Road truckers is filmed, I think even zombie hordes will think twice before seeking a meal this far up!

Perhaps part of this whole idea is to get to know your neighbors.
I for one, have had the opportunity to see who around me reacts how when the grid goes down.
About a year ago, a wind storm took out our power for 3 days.
Looking only at the houses around me...one on each side, one directly across the street, and the ones on each side of that.
The one directly across the street is abandoned and falling down, so no real issue.
to the left of me is an older gentleman...I have no idea if he prepares at all, but he did not have to ask anyone for help at all.
To the right is a middle aged single woman who ALWAYS leaves durring a power outage...likely to a friend or family members' house...so no issue there.
That leaves the two others across the road...both VERY capable families with at least minimal preps such as generators, some food (not sure how much'), wood heat capable etc.
So, in case of an emergency, there would be 4 households close to each other that can band together.
3 of us are capable of at least some level of self suficiency, and we would likely band together to help out the older gentleman on my left with some food, water etc.
Now, my point is, if you look around and see nothing but helpless individuals, or just plain lazy people that will look to you not just for help, but for actual total dependancy, maybe it's time to relocate.

During the great depression (and I suspect after too) the curbs of those willing to hand out were marked by those less fortunate- so others could easily identify which houses to hit for compassion packages.

To make that worthwhile, it would have to be in a pretty densley populated area...something that should be avoided.
I personally believe that being in an urban area would be detrimental, and likely nearly impossible to survive in.
So, one way to curb the attitude of "I'll just come to your place" is to remove yourself from that area and/or maintain some OPSEC.
People that you don't want coming to your house shouldn't know you prep...period.

Denob has just shown you another way to foresee how things might unfold in event of a crisis. Note how the optimistic look for the good things? He has pointed out things some should start doing if they haven't already. Nice to see some pay attention to their neighbors and their abilities, limitations and habits. That is indeed a way we measure others and thus learn from them too as they learn from you. When you see your neighbor help another neighbor, you can see their nature peeking thru. These are neighbors worth helping and would likely work together in any crisis. Same thing goes for the neighbor that creates dissension and causes disruption instead. These are habits that took time to form and would take time to break. Their nature often spells trouble in bad times.

In small towns it is easy to measure most of the community is such a way. You may not know them all but many you do know and trust likely will help you measure those you are unfamiliar with. As I've mentioned in the past, I am fully aware of my "gruff exterior" or "hard looks" (as I have often been described) and many with whom I grew up with jokingly comment about such with me (as if they are the only ones who might do so). Yet it is these reminders that show me if I lived elsewhere many might quickly view me as a threat whereas folks who know me understand that I am not a menace to society. I mention this aspect because many will judge others by appearance and that is often such a bad measure of another. Even in my youth, store owners watched me closely as my friends then conveniently pocketed items under their very noses. (yup, even country kids shoplifted). Seems this aspect likely kept me on the straight path and yet maybe helped my friends to wander...

You won't stand a chance at measuring them though unless you make the effort to talk to them. And as Denob method can show, if they are not good neighbors now, they will then become bad neighbors in event of a major crisis. I too have neighbors to either side of me (and bush otherwise). Neither are real friendly but they would likely be reliable enough to work together if in a crunch. Would I trust and share with them in a major crisis? Likely not! But I'm guessing both would be cautious about messing with me too! And that then leads to the aspect of how your neighbors might perceive you in turn???

Neighbours , agreed , first line of possible support / bartering / help thus banding together and helping
each other , but yes there could even be possible trouble .

I know somewhat about the neighbours, by watching who has lights in a power outtage , but I should know alot more .

To make that worthwhile, it would have to be in a pretty densley populated area...something that should be avoided.
I personally believe that being in an urban area would be detrimental, and likely nearly impossible to survive in.
So, one way to curb the attitude of "I'll just come to your place" is to remove yourself from that area and/or maintain some OPSEC.
People that you don't want coming to your house shouldn't know you prep...period.

That's exactly how I feel. I'm not worried if people know I'm a prepper. Most people around where I live are Prepper's without even knowing the word "prepper". I'm on a rural setting and have tonnes of deer, turkeys..... Close to me so it shouldn't be a big issue for food anyway.

But speaking about power outages. A few years back I lived in Sault ste marie. When we got a big power outage all across the eastern part of Canada and the U.S. I watched people's reaction to it as Denob had done and around me there were lots who could supply for themselves. But when I ventured out a bit I saw people that were crying for a loaf of bread or gasoline or the fact that they couldn't get their money out of the bank because there was no power. It was a very informative situation. Then when it did come back on you heard reports about how crazy some of the bigger cities got only within a couple days. The soo was likely to follow if the power had stayed off any longer. But where my parents lived out in the country, life pretty well went on as usual. Of course with a few alterations.
Can anyone else remember that outage and maybe share a few of their observations?

To make that worthwhile, it would have to be in a pretty densley populated area...something that should be avoided.
I personally believe that being in an urban area would be detrimental, and likely nearly impossible to survive in.
So, one way to curb the attitude of "I'll just come to your place" is to remove yourself from that area and/or maintain some OPSEC.
People that you don't want coming to your house shouldn't know you prep...period.

That's exactly how I feel. I'm not worried if people know I'm a prepper. Most people around where I live are Prepper's without even knowing the word "prepper". I'm on a rural setting and have tonnes of deer, turkeys..... Close to me so it shouldn't be a big issue for food anyway.

But speaking about power outages. A few years back I lived in Sault ste marie. When we got a big power outage all across the eastern part of Canada and the U.S. I watched people's reaction to it as Denob had done and around me there were lots who could supply for themselves. But when I ventured out a bit I saw people that were crying for a loaf of bread or gasoline or the fact that they couldn't get their money out of the bank because there was no power. It was a very informative situation. Then when it did come back on you heard reports about how crazy some of the bigger cities got only within a couple days. The soo was likely to follow if the power had stayed off any longer. But where my parents lived out in the country, life pretty well went on as usual. Of course with a few alterations.
Can anyone else remember that outage and maybe share a few of their observations?

Exactly what I'm talking about.

Our next door neighbour can afford to purchase anything he wants, but is too cheap to do so. During the last major power outage we had, caused by a tree from his property coming down on the power line, he went to use his little propane cook top so he could get something to eat. That's OK. He then discovered that the gas line leaked,so he couldn't use it. He then drove into town, leaving the rest of the neighbours to clean up the mess on the road so the power company could get in. He got a new hose, only to discover that it wouldn't fit his stove! Instead of buying a new unit that would be reliable, he tossed the hose on a shelf in his porch.......it is still there today. What did he do next, Well, he bought a "more reliable, newer electric stove for his kitchen". Just a few months ago he had a pack rat in his kitchen cupboard. He got out his trusty 22 and shot the critter. Got it on the second try. The first shot took out part of the cupboard and a can of tomatoes. He was pissed off that the tomatoes made a mess that he had to clean up!!!!
I think I will NOT be helping him when the SHTF, thank you. Charity begins at home, where I am aiming on keeping it.

That neighbor sounds like one of the neighbors here, but worse because he has a gun.

So you'll not want to tell him you have any supplies and lay low because he might be mad
at everyone that seems to be OK , and he is not going to help anyone himself so hopefully he
might not ask anyway, but he might sit looking out the window at everyone with a bent outlook on
the situation, with that gun in one hand. 😐

Funny but sad thing..... he thinks he will be ok because he has a freezer full of meat and stuff, as well as a couple of weeks of canned food. He hates rice as well as beans' and a lot of pasta. He does not cook anything from scratch, or bake. He does know we have supplies laid in, to "weather the storm", but has no idea how much. I am aiming to keep it that way.

Good to keep hush about what you have. If need be and a SHTF situation arises,
you can always tell him in conversations that you are doing well and rationing portions
from day one of SHTF. And be sure to have some baggie clothes you can wear. You don't want
to look like you are gaining weight from eating pasta and no fresh fruits. 😆

So true!
In a lot of ways, he is a really good neighbour, But as my father in law always said "Trust everyone, but cut the cards".

Friends come and go, but its those family relatives that latch onto you like Sea Lampreys.
What do you, do then; I have only prepped for two people, myself and Irene, and probably max another person.