No, you are definitely right. If your gut says "don't get in that situation", listen to your gut. That's exactly what I mean about trusting yourself.
Obviously, the fight like hell attitude is going to be most appropriate in a stranger attack - you don't know this person, and you can fight without compunction, knowing that he does not have good intentions.
But when else do you fight? When your mind has overruled your instincts (oh, X says he's okay, just a little intense) or someone is a little too friendly. Society would say "ask him to back off". I say "ask him to back off and make your displeasure known with and elbow in the solar plexis".
I know too many people who excuse overly familiar behaviour with a "he's just a touchy-feely kinda guy". Just like with a dog, you (the hypothetical person I just mentally beat down) should ask before you touch people.
I think people are far too hesitant to fight back when someone they know personally is acting in an agressive manner. Of course the best thing is to not get into that situation. But it takes experience to trust your gut, and even then there's often an unavoidable hidden creep in a large group. And that's the situation too many people hesitate. They are too concerned with not offending the other people that they put up with inappropriate and unpleasant situations rather than getting themselves out.
Granted, sometimes the elbow to the teeth isn't warranted. But words are weapons too. Someone deliberately belittling you? Call them on it.
I've never had occasion to go beyond removing myself from the situation or making a comment about not enjoying the conversation. But I know that if I had to I would.
And if I'm physically attacked, I know I'm going to fight. And if I lose - I still fought.
no subject
Obviously, the fight like hell attitude is going to be most appropriate in a stranger attack - you don't know this person, and you can fight without compunction, knowing that he does not have good intentions.
But when else do you fight? When your mind has overruled your instincts (oh, X says he's okay, just a little intense) or someone is a little too friendly. Society would say "ask him to back off". I say "ask him to back off and make your displeasure known with and elbow in the solar plexis".
I know too many people who excuse overly familiar behaviour with a "he's just a touchy-feely kinda guy". Just like with a dog, you (the hypothetical person I just mentally beat down) should ask before you touch people.
I think people are far too hesitant to fight back when someone they know personally is acting in an agressive manner. Of course the best thing is to not get into that situation. But it takes experience to trust your gut, and even then there's often an unavoidable hidden creep in a large group. And that's the situation too many people hesitate. They are too concerned with not offending the other people that they put up with inappropriate and unpleasant situations rather than getting themselves out.
Granted, sometimes the elbow to the teeth isn't warranted. But words are weapons too. Someone deliberately belittling you? Call them on it.
I've never had occasion to go beyond removing myself from the situation or making a comment about not enjoying the conversation. But I know that if I had to I would.
And if I'm physically attacked, I know I'm going to fight. And if I lose - I still fought.