Talking the Talk

By Joseph Parish

Talking the talk can mean many things to different people. What I am going to discuss here is talking the talk as it relates to survival situations when stranded in unknown locations.

Communications in any endeavor is vital and can often mean the difference between success and failure. When a government agent is dispatched to complete a task he is not sent out “cold” with no knowledge of what he is about to undertake. That would spell total failure for his mission. Instead he is properly briefed on as much information as is known concerning his proposed assignment.

The same would apply to any survival task that we may encounter. You must know the “Lingo” to complete the task. During my initial years in the military, I felt that I was merely dumped into a foreign country surrounded by aliens who not only failed to speak my language but also had entirely different customs then I did. Their food and drink was strange when compared to mine, their manner of dress was unusual and their general makeup was odd when compared to what I was used too.

All that changed later after receiving different types of assignments then I had as a newbie. Not only did the military start to properly brief us but we in turn took more of an active role and educated ourselves, as example would be in during my assignment at Adana Turkey. I would instruct the neophytes on the manifestations relating to the conduct and mannerisms associated with the locals. I taught them that when having a meal with our Turkish counterparts they should use their right hand to eat and drink with. Naturally they wondered why the people indulged in such a practice and I informed them that it was principally to show respect to the host’s religion.

There were also similar situations involving the locals and western populous when accomplishing an assignment at Tripoli. Personal appearance meant a lot to these locals. Large moustaches were frond upon for it often gave our hosts the impression that the wearer was arrogant and conceited. They considered the concept that food and drink were often contaminated by the use of such facial hairs. Dirty nails were another taboo often discouraged by our Libyan associates.

So, as you can readily see you must learn to talk to the talk. Don’t assume that every place in America is going to be the same as the place you came from. The Deep South is entirely different then the New England states. The western areas of our country have completely different customs then the east coast. Each area has its own makeup and as such should be treated in a proper manner displaying respect. Even within the same state you are likely to discover diversity exists. Inner city communications is totally different then what you would hear at the board of directors meetings. You may end up driving through one of these areas during your escape from the city. It would do you well to learn the talk so that when and if the time comes you too can talk the talk.

Copyright @2010 Joseph Parish

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