Urban micro diversion techniques?

[+Happy Humphrey]

There aren't too many urban micro caches around here, so I don't get much practice and have to resort to the rather obvious "tieing shoelaces" or "dropped coins" routine when trying to perform a surreptitious cache retrieval in a public place.

 

Muggles are probably getting wise to this sort of behaviour nowadays and doubtless merely regard it as a handy guide to a new cache.

 

Local cachers "Special Branch" have perfected a better routine using a "Gentleman's Appliance" - marks out of 10? Are there superior techniques on offer?

 

HH

Edited March 11, 2007 by Happy Humphrey

[+KBI]

Sing the Gilligan's Island theme loudly in pig latin while flapping your arms, then throw up on your shoes.

 

The muggles will leave you alone.

[+gof1]

If in Boston just call in a suspicious bag of marshmallows 2 blocks down the street.

[+Renegade Knight]

If I'm already looking, I just puff up like blowfish and look like it's my turf. Works well on garden variety muggles.

 

If they got there first I keep on going.

[+Totem Clan]

Normally seeing a somewhat muscular tattooed bearded almost shave-headed aryan looking man poking around the bushes is usally enough to scare off the muggles.

 

Edit: spelling

Edited March 11, 2007 by Totem Clan

[+baloo&bd]

What's an aryon?

 

If it is truly an urban hide, I usually don't worry about too much stealth. My experience is people are just too busy ignoring everyone to see you.

 

Suburban type hides, that's another story. Talking on a cell phone is known to make you invisible.

[+Totem Clan]

What's an aryon?

 

If it is truly an urban hide, I usually don't worry about too much stealth. My experience is people are just too busy ignoring everyone to see you.

 

Suburban type hides, that's another story. Talking on a cell phone is known to make you invisible.

Oops. I's done been egamucated.

[+JimmyEv]

A bicycle. They don't care what you're doing, it has something to do with that contraption you're riding.

[+Gator Man]

I've used several techniques, such as my GPSr becoming a "Cell Phone" or a "Camera". The camera one really drives folks away because they don't want to ruin your shot! I've also explained that I was looking for a poisonous snake or lizard, been a Biologist looking for plant/animal species, been a pier inspector, a fountain repair man..., you get the idea, just make up a suitable story for your surroundings. Sometimes a clipboard, paper and pencil in hand help too!

[+briansnat]

Pour vegetable soup on your shirt and a cup of water on your crotch.

[+GRANPA ALEX]

Have you ever noticed that there are some people who are kinda 'invisible' in public places? Not the young handsome or pretty ones who are smartly dressed and attentive . . . but the 'bums' or , too often, the elderly who seem to amble listlessly?

 

Just turned 61 and notice that I can now almost disappear in a public place, completely ignored - works for me. Could be a detective, if I was smart enough. Play to the advantage, grab the micro & go!

[+Isonzo Karst]

The Power of Yo. Bob does string tricks and I recover the cache. Nobody is looking at me.....

[physics_boy]

I bet if you wear an orange vest, hard-hat, and a tool belt, people won't think twice about what the heck you're doing.

[+Bamboogirl]

Tape the end of an Ipod headphone to your GPS and plug it in your ears. Dance around like an idiot, a little air guitar, some moonwalking, really bad singing, etc. People will give you a wide berth.

[+eigengott]

Are there superior techniques on offer?

 

Yep, go old-style caching and exclude all micro caches (and small caches for good measure) from your pocket queries.

[+geomann1]

I agree with Physics Boy, make it look like you are on some sort of official business and are very busy. Carry a notebook and pretend to take notes and ignore everyone else.

 

Kids are also great, I like to take either my 7 or 8 year old along; they can look anywhere and no one will notice them. Can't bring then both though, 2 kids screaming over who found it first is less than stealthy.

[+geomann1]

If all else fails, pretend to pick your nose. People will be grossed and turn away.

 

Also a great technique for getting out of speeding tickets; the traffic cop will not want you to hand him your license or anything else. Heard this from a police captain.

[+nickzeke]

Nothing beats a white truck with a canopy on the bed, a flashing light bar on the truck, a yellow hard-hat, a clipboard, and a safety vest.

[+pghlooking]

No diversions should be needed. Since all caches submitted have a box checked off that they received permission in the placement of that cache, you shouldn't need to pretend to be anything but a geocacher. Why would you want to pretend to be something else? Stand up and be proud of what you are.

[+baloo&bd]

No diversions should be needed. Since all caches submitted have a box checked off that they received permission in the placement of that cache, you shouldn't need to pretend to be anything but a geocacher. Why would you want to pretend to be something else? Stand up and be proud of what you are.

 

Mis-placed agenda noted, and yet I still feel compelled to state the obvious.

 

For the same reason you would wait until muggles passed while doing a cache on a trail or in a rural steeing, youi don't want the cache to be muggled.

Edited March 13, 2007 by baloo&bd