These are tips that I not only recommend as a body language expert but also as 5 foot one
petite blonde concert, and music festival attendee use.
Tips
- Know your territory. That may
involve getting a map and studying it carefully before the event begins so
you know where the stage or stages, exits are. If you can rather than just
knowing that there’s a map somewhere on your phone if you can print out
the map too.
- Get there early. That way you
can see the space and again study your territory the stages in the
exits.
- Introduce yourself and your
friends to security. Make sure you feel safe and comfortable with them and
ask them how things are going how they’re reading the crowd. I use to train law enforcement officers so I go a bit above and beyond and ask if they need a soft drink or a snack.
- Make plans with your friends
for what you would do and where would you meet should someone get lost or
some emergency happen. Have a backup to that plan.
- When you get to your seat or
to the stage look around again. Note the different exits from your seat or your standing position. Note any barriers that may be in your way.
Always look for exits to your side in front of you and behind you.
- Read the crowd. Your central
nervous system is your best friend in potentially dangerous situations.
Check-in with how you were feeling in your body to note whether there is
danger. If you see agitated or angry people move away from the space as
quickly and calmly as possible to somewhere safe, knowing that may be the
exit. Aggressive behavior usually involves people not only raising their
energy level but forming nonverbal cue gesture cues that are sharp-edged
elbows out weapon-like hands in our motions and fast unpredictable motions.
Your primitive limbic brain picks up on these cues before your neocortex.
You may not be able to formulate words as to why you’re feeling uncomfortable
but your body knows. Move away from danger. Every crowd has energy and
crowds that are dangerous or recognizable if you’re paying attention.
There’s a difference between excitement and being pulled into that
wonderful uplifting excited dancing singing together crowd energy and
dangerous energy. If you feel it flip and you feel scared move away and
out of the crowd.
- Know that the response to
danger is not just flight or flight it’s also freezing in place faint or fall. If you
find your body wanting to freeze in place that’s a sign you’re in danger
move away from the danger. Override whatever social norms there are about
having to be “cool” or not look afraid or be nice to dangerous aggressive
or rude people. Move away from them.
- If you are small or if you
stumble in a loving mob, tell those around you I need help shout, "Lift me up" "I
need help lift me up."
- In preparation, if you can
bring a clear plastic case for your phone in some sort of lanyard that you can wear around your neck it can be helpful. In a dangerous crowd, situation trying to hold your phone as you move through the crowd can be
dangerous you may need both hands.
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