[OT] poll on inappropriate behavior

Kamog · #1 November 20th, 2003, 07:57 AM

I'm not sure why somebody would start by shoving somebody else. If he wants to fight, why doesn't he start off by swinging his fist? Maybe he just wants to intimidate the other guy by acting tough but doesn't really want to fight.

Erax · #2 November 20th, 2003, 06:12 PM

No, he wants to fight all right, but he has to go through this ritual. There's no explanation.

Me, I was taught not to talk back, not to shove back. Yeah right, like that works.

But this was the 80s, and all the real bullies or wackos got involved with drugs and parted ways from me (one of them, I learned later, went into a mental institution). So all that was left was kids who wanted to play bully - and the first time I faced one one them with that 'OK, let's fight' look they all backed down and never bothered me again.

After that, I never again got into a potential fight situation. And people are always extraordinarily nice to me - my wife says that it's because I look intimidating.

So if someone decides to shove me, either he's extremely self-confident or he's got some backup I don't know about. Since I probably won't know for certain which is which, the rational thing to do would be to not fight back. But I can't say for certain that I would act rationally in such a situation.

Loser · #3 November 20th, 2003, 07:20 PM

If that's you on the left, I can understand why she thinks you look intimidating.

Instar · #4 November 21st, 2003, 06:52 PM

I am a pretty big guy (6 3 and over 250 pounds, and I just started back up weightlifting at the gym), and I can look intimidating enough.
I've always wondered how I would hold up in a fight, in the past as a school kid I was attacked once or twice, both times I didn't really fight back.
I'm not looking for a fight, but I hope that if need be I can defend myself adequately.

gregebowman · #5 November 21st, 2003, 08:07 PM

I think I've been in one fight in my entire life, and that was during the 8th grade. IIRC, it came out pretty much a draw. That was over 25 years ago. I know it happens, I see it in the news all the time here in Florida, but why after the first punch or harsh words come out, does some idiot go to his vehicle and bring in a gun into what would have been a few years ago just a fist fight? Nowadays, just throw lead instead of fists? I don't understand.

Kamog · #6 November 23rd, 2003, 04:47 AM

I wouldn't want to fight a big guy...
Big guys have a major advantage in a fight. They have longer reach with their arms and legs, are usually stronger than smaller guys, and are less hurt when they take a hit.

Cipher7071 · #7 November 23rd, 2003, 06:06 PM

Well, I'm from Gryphin's generation, and when I was still young enough to seem a likely target for youthful posturing and aggression, a sucker punch was when someone came up and nailed you one without warning or provocation, or blindsided you. There was always a difference between a shove that said "You're a jerk," and one that said "F-off and die." The response depended on the circumstances, and whether there was any history of "bad blood" between them.