Would you believe a zombie if you saw one?

[E-mantheseeker]

In many of these hypothetical zombie threads, we have a plan of action for zombies/zombie apocalypses. However, while I was walking down the street I wondered what I would do if there was a zombie shambling around, or more importantly whether I would actually believe it was a zombie.

So I ask this to you my fellow Escapist members, if you saw someone shambling down the street looking convincingly like a zombie, would the thought of the person being an actual zombie seriously enter your thoughts or would you just think it was a out of place cosplayer? Would you avoid this person or monitor their actions to see if they bite anyone? Would you try warning other people around at the risk of looking silly? Etc...

Note: Although this involves a "zombie", try thinking about what you would logically in real life.

 

[TheNumber1Zero]

Here is the zombie test that I have created in order to verify zombie status:

I carry a folding knife with me wherever I go. If I saw a "zombie" I would walk in front of it (just out of it's reach), and pull my knife out threateningly. If the zombie was to jump back and go "holy shit, what the fuck man?!" then it is not a zombie. If the zombie proceeded toward me, then it is a zombie, and I stab it in the face before racing home to barricade my house, get my guns, and put all my my supplies in my car.

What if he/she was merely a drunk, and did not notice the knife?

I'd just think it was a drunk and avoid it.

 

[TimeLord]

If I saw a "zombie" in the street, I'd shove the nearest person towards it to see if it tried to bite him/her.

If said zombie does then I run like hell and enact emergency protocol: 415

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[Code_Red]

I would probably keep my distance but watch them,and if they did anything other than shamble around the place I'd head in the opposite direction.

 

[Kaboose the Moose]

It's not like Zombies have hard to miss symptoms. If they were to exist I think I'll notice them nearby

 

[Cherry Cola]

First, if it runs, it's not a zombie.

It's an infected.

Secondly, if it doesn't smell incredibly bad, it's not a zombie.

It's a guy in a suit.

Thirdly, if it has its palms facing the air instead of the ground, it's not a zomibe

It's a homeless man wanting change.

If it is none of these things, then it's probably a zombie.

So then I just turn around and out-walk it.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

What if he/she was merely a drunk, and did not notice the knife?

I'd just think it was a drunk and avoid it.

Spoiler: Or you could just claim that all the non-zombies who died by your hand were just...

OT: I'd probably be dead before I managed to determine if someone really is a zombie or not.

 

[quiet_samurai]

In many of these hypothetical zombie threads, we have a plan of action for zombies/zombie apocalypses. However, while I was walking down the street I wondered what I would do if there was a zombie shambling around, or more importantly whether I would actually believe it was a zombie.

So I ask this to you my fellow Escapist members, if you saw someone shambling down the street looking convincingly like a zombie, would the thought of the person being an actual zombie seriously enter your thoughts or would you just think it was a out of place cosplayer? Would you avoid this person or monitor their actions to see if they bite anyone? Would you try warning other people around at the risk of looking silly? Etc...

Note: Although this involves a "zombie", try thinking about what you would logically in real life.

Honestly I'd probably think "Man that drunk guy has bad acne, and needs to get out more."

or

Headshot, and use the "Zombie Defense" in court just in case.

 

[Lord George]

I think I did this last Halloween I punched what may have been a zombie, or may have been a goth, the important point here is I was pissed, it was dark and I saved humanity either way.

 

[HardRockSamurai]

That depends on the type of zombie:

Regular [slow] Zombie: I'd probably notice it immediately, and run away faster than you could say "...braaiins..."
Running [enraged] Zombie: I probably wouldn't recognize it as a zombie, but I'd run nonetheless (or give it an epic bro-hug.)
Intelligent [talking] Zombie: I'd probably assume it's just another "tired person" and greet it with a smile and a wave.
Reanimated [animal] Zombie: I'd probably treat it the same as a regular zombie.

 

[Who Dares Wins]

I would offer him a beer, he is still a human so he shouldn't be degraded, he should also have the right to vote.

 

[Who Dares Wins]

I would offer him a beer, he is still a human so he shouldn't be degraded, he should also have the right to vote.

Once you are dead, under the law, you are no longer human, you are property.

Of course, fast zombies (ie infected people) are still alive, and therefore the right to vote still applies to them (so long as they have citizenship).

Well, that's just bummer.

 

[TheNumber1Zero]

That's just a chance I'm willing to take. Seriously though, what are the odds that the guy in the zombie costume is shambling because he's drunk?

Halloween Office Party?

 

[sephiroth1991]

Proberly not.