SouthNarc has a concept called Managing Unknown Contacts, or MUC for short. I’ve written about MUC before, and you can learn some about it in his DVD’s.
As I was leaving the local indoor gun range, I had a MUC situation. Here’s the diagram:
The red block is the range building. The blue block is my car, parked nose in. Brown block is a large pickup truck. Green circle is a tree, and the black lines at the bottom is the edge of the road.
I came out of the range and went to put my stuff in the trunk of my car. I was standing at the X. As I was putting things into the trunk I was going to re-situate a few things in the bag when I caught out of my left eye a guy approaching me. He was still far enough off but it was evident his path of travel was no longer along the road but was branching off to come up to me. Hands were in his coat pocket, but that’s not too out of the question as it’s very cold outside. As soon as I noticed this I stopped caring about fiddling with stuff, slammed the trunk shut then moved along the arrow, towards the driver’s door. My intent was to just get in the car and go…. the guy was far enough off that I could do that.
Or so I thought.
As soon as I slammed the trunk and turned around the guy yelled out to me. I couldn’t make out what he said but it did sound like he was asking for directions. It caused me enough to pause just long enough that he was closer and so all I could do was wheel around. Hands went up into a fence position and I moved so I could get a better view of things. Unfortunately the movement was limited because now I was between the truck and my car. He repeated himself, asking where exactly the post office was. I can understand that as it’s a little non-obvious. But I kept my distance, kept my left hand up in a fence and proceeded to tell him as briefly and concisely as I could where to go (i.e. keep the interaction short). I noticed tho… my right hand went down to my belt. Reason was I had my car keys in my hand and it was my intention to put them back into my pants pocket, but for some reason I didn’t and for some reason my hand stayed at my waist. I did catch the guy noticing that, and that probably wasn’t too bad a thing as it’s evident I’m leaving a gun range and of course I was carrying. He seemed satisfied with directions and left.
I think overall I handled the situation alright, but one thing I did not like was how I moved. I ended up between the truck and my car, which put me into a funnel. If he had a buddy, he could have easily hid on the other side of the truck (it was a huge pickup) and came around the front of the truck and I’d be sandwiched in. Of course, this was a natural path of travel… at the time I was attempting avoidance, plus any other movement would have looked odd. Upon reflection I probably should have just stayed at my trunk or in that vicinity. The car would be at my back and I’d have more movement and visual options.
In the end, I’m just glad the MUC training kicked in. Awareness was the most important thing. Fence went up and so guy kept his distance. I see places to refine and improve, and hopefully you can learn something from my experience as well.
Stuff From Hsoi 
Hsoi,
I think you handled it well. I don’t know what I would have done too much differently, there are a few things I’ve worked on as I run practice scenarios.
1. Emptying my primary hand. I either transfer items to pockets or other hand.
2. Scanning the environment. I’ve been approached by a couple of people (harmless in all occasions) but I’ve pointedly looked around quickly and thoroughly.
Thinking about your situation — did you consider opening the doors to put a obstacle in between you and the stranger?
The only other thing that came to mind was to move back to the range building door. The likelihood of a partner being inside would be low.
Pretty fair after action report. I doubt I would have taken any more steps then you did.
Now, the $64 question – do you feel he was just looking for directions or setting up a possible attack?
1. I actually was moving to do that but for whatever reason I stopped. I do not know why my body stopped my hand at the “top” of my pants pocket. I only know that I was consciously going to put my keys back in my pocket… then I later realize my hand was sitting right there at the top of the pocket ready to draw. I do not know why… guaradian angel telling me something? having me send some subtle signals to the guy? I dunno.
2. Never thought about opening doors, but it wouldn’t have worked anyway given the exact situation.
I did note as I was getting into my car (after all was done) that one of the employees from the range/store had stepped out for a smoke break. He was at my 6 so I didn’t see him until it was done. I have no idea how that may have played in.
Do I think it was an attack? No I don’t. I think the guy legit was in need of directions. But who can say for sure.