The #1 most important thing you said: Avoid places where assholes hang out ….. great advice that I hope most of the people reading this will never need.
You kind of mentioned it, but I'd like to underline the role of alcohol in street violence (and pretty much every other problem). Avoiding drinking in public and places where other people are drinking cuts out 99.9% of the chance of ever being in a fight with a random stranger.
May I add: Time of day. It’s been my experience as a firefighter in a busy downtown that NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER 10PM. Be home by then, trouble will still be getting ready to go out.
Love the restraint mixed with the hard reality of what it takes to survive. Navigated a lot of bullshit bullies in my life and only one close encounter with a knife. Ran. Wounded, but walked away.
I agreed with all of this. In fact it was an unlikely thing to pop up in my feed but it's all good advice and to be honest in many difficult situations,even taking something back to a shop. We are told to go in shouting about our rights and demanding refunds etc but that just makes them angry but a polite and gentle explanation of why the item doesn't work gets the result. Back in the 70s,80s,90s we often used to have local news items on our tv(in UK) telling of self defence classes for ladies but I always thought that was a terrible idea as what if your attacker had also trained in judo,or Kung Fu or whatever.
Avoiding jail time is a big one. You are so right that the myth of the first punch condemns too many. Most men simply need to learn that you do not need the trouble. If some drunk idiot breaks his neck falling, you go to jail. If you accidentally punch too hard, you go to jail. It is a lose-lose situation. The best option is to not engage. Who cares if some loser trying to pick a fight is being rude? No one that matters will care that you can take him. This should be a required chant to all young men from age 12 to 18.
Great post. You probably increase your chances of being assaulted by about 1000% just by walking into a place that serves alcohol, particularly dodgy bars.
Remain calm. Loose muscles may disorient and repel an aggressor. And loose muscles are faster. Dont hesitate. But you must Practice kicking the shin. Punching the solar plexus. Straight palm to the nose. The key is to close the space smoothly and quickly and blast through the target. But If it's not hardwired into your DNA, you freeze.
Appropriate self-defense training (e.g. a striking art like karate and a grappling art like BJJ) will enhance all your points of advice, especially "Be and look strong" and "If you have to street fight, swing first and neutralize." If you want peace, prepare for war.
You said, “As long as the person isn’t disrespecting or blatantly attempting to harm you, let it go and keep it moving.” I interpret that as you saying that someone disrespecting you is a reason to confront the disrespectful person and escalate the situation. That sounds like what causes shootings in large cities every day and seems to contradict everything else that you said about avoiding conflict with strangers when possible.
The #1 most important thing you said: Avoid places where assholes hang out ….. great advice that I hope most of the people reading this will never need.
You kind of mentioned it, but I'd like to underline the role of alcohol in street violence (and pretty much every other problem). Avoiding drinking in public and places where other people are drinking cuts out 99.9% of the chance of ever being in a fight with a random stranger.
May I add: Time of day. It’s been my experience as a firefighter in a busy downtown that NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER 10PM. Be home by then, trouble will still be getting ready to go out.
Stupid hour seems to be 10pm to 4am. Add alcohol.
Yo ain’t that the truth man.
I’m convinced it’s it’s almost impossible to get murdered if you stay inside during then
Unless you are female. They get murdered at home.
Same for cops, they say. Night shift is a different beast.
Love the restraint mixed with the hard reality of what it takes to survive. Navigated a lot of bullshit bullies in my life and only one close encounter with a knife. Ran. Wounded, but walked away.
Lots of logic and common sense here. Good, no, excellent article.
Much appreciated! Thanks for enjoying!
This is why I run 2 miles a day, no one can hurt what they can't catch!
wise words!
me on the martial arts path:
year 0) be aware at all times
year 1) killing people will get you in jail
year 2) people are delicate and easy to kill
year 13) don't go into bars
year ??) being polite costs nothing, saves much
I agreed with all of this. In fact it was an unlikely thing to pop up in my feed but it's all good advice and to be honest in many difficult situations,even taking something back to a shop. We are told to go in shouting about our rights and demanding refunds etc but that just makes them angry but a polite and gentle explanation of why the item doesn't work gets the result. Back in the 70s,80s,90s we often used to have local news items on our tv(in UK) telling of self defence classes for ladies but I always thought that was a terrible idea as what if your attacker had also trained in judo,or Kung Fu or whatever.
Avoiding jail time is a big one. You are so right that the myth of the first punch condemns too many. Most men simply need to learn that you do not need the trouble. If some drunk idiot breaks his neck falling, you go to jail. If you accidentally punch too hard, you go to jail. It is a lose-lose situation. The best option is to not engage. Who cares if some loser trying to pick a fight is being rude? No one that matters will care that you can take him. This should be a required chant to all young men from age 12 to 18.
Great post. You probably increase your chances of being assaulted by about 1000% just by walking into a place that serves alcohol, particularly dodgy bars.
Great advice. You know what really ticks me off? When welll meanng people tell women to fight back.
There isn't one woman on earth, including the biggest strongest woman, who is equal to 99% of men in a bare knuckle fight.
Neutralize and escape. But better yet avoid where assholes hang out.
Remain calm. Loose muscles may disorient and repel an aggressor. And loose muscles are faster. Dont hesitate. But you must Practice kicking the shin. Punching the solar plexus. Straight palm to the nose. The key is to close the space smoothly and quickly and blast through the target. But If it's not hardwired into your DNA, you freeze.
I'm just gonna stay home
Appropriate self-defense training (e.g. a striking art like karate and a grappling art like BJJ) will enhance all your points of advice, especially "Be and look strong" and "If you have to street fight, swing first and neutralize." If you want peace, prepare for war.
Pull out the widowmaker
You said, “As long as the person isn’t disrespecting or blatantly attempting to harm you, let it go and keep it moving.” I interpret that as you saying that someone disrespecting you is a reason to confront the disrespectful person and escalate the situation. That sounds like what causes shootings in large cities every day and seems to contradict everything else that you said about avoiding conflict with strangers when possible.
There is a middle ground. In my experience, disrespectful behavior that isn't a response leads to problems no matter what you do.
I do need to clarify though. My sentence doesn't make the claim that clearly.