Posted on 11/07/2015 1:26:36 AM PST by lee martell
I was on the stationary bike today, watching one of the TV's hung high on the wall. There was a bout of kickboxers just beginning. The only time I'm really interested in watching televised sports would be for activities in the ring and/or dojo. I tried to recall when was the last time, or one of the last times I ever put fist to jaw in anger? Training doesn't count. One is not even supposed to be in a boxing or martial arts class if you are too agitated, because that force will come out upon your training partner, who will have the urge to retaliate.
I've had a lot of experience in working with mentally ill adults, often much younger than myself. I've gone through training to chose the best approach when confronted by someone upset. First thing is not to escalate the situation if at all possible. That may mean not immediately responding in kind to every unkind word or unsavory tone. Second thing is understand you need not respond immediately to every perceived slight. But what if the tension continues to build? What if it becomes clear that ignoring the source or the troublemaker is not going to work. Third may be to speak with authority, possibly putting an end to the scene. Forth tactic is to let the person talk, some people just need to let go of built up tension. Maybe no one has been listening to them for quite a while.
I have to put on my (now dusty) Thinking Cap and go back, far back to the seventh grade. A classmate wanted me to take a duffle bag box to another area of the school for him. I knew that wasn't the school dufflebag, and that this kid had a reputation for drug dealing. I refused. The classmate took this as my way of saying that i was 'too good' to do anything for him or his friends. The banter went back and forth for a while, until the kid was 1 inch away from my face yelling about people like me, who don't think he's good enough to be friends with. I pushed him away, almost knocking him on his rear. We enchanged a few hits, not much. Mostly bluster. By that time. the school bell had rung for classes to change. The student didn't bother me after that, but I got dirty looks from his little Goon Squad for the rest of the semester. I'm sure you Freepers have better, more sizzling stories, but I don't really.
Even though my fighting experience was very minor, very quick and blood-free, I'm glad I had those few fights, because I felt a little braver about everything else after that. Learning to stay put and deal with a tense situation is a valuable trait.
Are todays' schoolkids ever allowed to fight without being put on detention or even expelled?
You are a person of wisdom and good fortune. Many times, it simply is not worth it. Diplomacy and street smarts are also tools of survival.
Very good defensive skills. Some people naturally know what makes a good weapon. Even if the bottle was empty, it would have an effect of a baton.
The Winner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj6e8xpxomo
I’m Irish. We love a good fight. :-) I used to have a terrible temper but over the years I have mellowed. I don’t worry much anymore as Mr. GG2 is a formidable character.
My BIL used to carry a 16 oz Pepsi Cola bottle on the floor of his car. He told me that once 3 guys jumped him and he grabbed the bottle attacked the biggest guy with it, beat him to a pulp and when he turned around the other two were gone.
I have found all of the fight stories on this thread highly entertaining. Guys rock! :-)
Glad to see you’re not going down without a fight!
Ka-boom!
Yep...:o)
I must have had a good reason but couldn’t remember what it was. I woke up with a swollen and bloody face.
1992, I was 40 years old. A drunk street person accosted me in Chicago. I would have let it go if he hadn’t grabbed me by the coat lapels. I had to do the break-loose move (arms up and out) and then a shot to his face and another to the throat. That put him down. I didn’t want to touch him any more than necessary, so I learned that, as well as fighting with a drunk (when you’re sober) doesn’t end up being much of a fight.
The Three Stupids Rule:
1. Don’t go to stupid places
2. With stupid people
3. And do stupid things
***********************************************************************
All good advice but after you’ve already hoisted a few, all that good advice goes out the window.
I used to get in fights, then 34 years ago, I quit drinking.
No fights or jail, in at least 34 years. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
OK, it's been almost thirty years, but I can still (barely) remember the moves...
Forgot the side kick to the knee to bring 'em down though. lol
Golden Gloves, '64. :O)
Almost all street fights go to the floor within 6 seconds or so, so yea, it’s nice to have a signature strike, a signature take-down, and a signature finishing blow — not necessarily fatal
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