Bullies

[Hardball]

I like polling you martial artist; it really gives me a scientific picture of my various inquires. Thanks for participating.

[Tom Yum]

A friend and I got jumped by 6 bigger and heavier fellas many years ago, before cell phones and cell phone cams existed.

When those dudes spotted my friend and I, they waited outside of the establishment and it went from escalation to incident really quick.

People underestimate the raw power of survival and luck. I'm talking about the times you get tunnel vision, things allmost seem like 3rd person and time slows down (while your internal body-clock speeds up).

Its crazy.

[Hardball]

A friend and I got jumped by 6 bigger and heavier fellas many years ago, before cell phones and cell phone cams existed.

When those dudes spotted my friend and I, they waited outside of the establishment and it went from escalation to incident really quick.

People underestimate the raw power of survival and luck. I'm talking about the times you get tunnel vision, things allmost seem like 3rd person and time slows down (while your internal body-clock speeds up).

Its crazy.

So you kicked their Arse?

[blitz]

Yeah I didn't get whether you kicked there asses or the opposite? :O

[Tom Yum]

We took a beating. My friend got dropped and got back up and continued to fight. I kicked a dude in the nutz and sent him crying then got hit on the back of my head, chest and face all at once

I hit another dude in the solar plexus and sent him gasping.

The luck part came into play because someone saw what was happening and came to our rescue.

Whenever we saw one of those guys alone in school, they respected us. Its funny how that works.

People hate you for no rational reason and want to beat you. You put up a good fight. Then somehow your friends. You don't talk, but the guy gives you a "what's up, bro" look in the hallway.

[Timberwolf]

We took a beating. My friend got dropped and got back up and continued to fight. I kicked a dude in the nutz and sent him crying then got hit on the back of my head, chest and face all at once

I hit another dude in the solar plexus and sent him gasping.

The luck part came into play because someone saw what was happening and came to our rescue.

Whenever we saw one of those guys alone in school, they respected us. Its funny how that works.

People hate you for no rational reason and want to beat you. You put up a good fight. Then somehow your friends. You don't talk, but the guy gives you a "what's up, bro" look in the hallway.

Interesting! I got into martial arts because I just needed something to keep me challenged and occupied. I voted the worst scenario is multiple attacks. I find your story interesting because my ideal concept in a scenario of multiple attackers is not to beat them all senseless but to make such an example of the attackers that they lose all taste to continue their pursuit. Entering the martial arts because of a bully problem is not a bad concept, but you must be mindful in your pursuit. You don't want to become the bully you are fighting against as so many have before. Nice Thread!

[Tom Yum]

Interesting! I got into martial arts because I just needed something to keep me challenged and occupied. I voted the worst scenario is multiple attacks. I find your story interesting because my ideal concept in a scenario of multiple attackers is not to beat them all senseless but to make such an example of the attackers that they lose all taste to continue their pursuit. Entering the martial arts because of a bully problem is not a bad concept, but you must be mindful in your pursuit. You don't want to become the bully you are fighting against as so many have before. Nice Thread!

This happened a long time ago, when I just started getting into MA and I didn't know any better having only a little idea of what to do. I don't think I became a bully, just tried to understand the aggressive mind set.

Its perfectly fine to avoid fighting over silly things, but sometimes people can and will attack others because they think you looked at them funny, simply because they want to see what you're made of or because they see you as some kind of competition.

Ignoring them doesn't improve matters neither does negotiation (which are great options!). However you engage, it depends on the environment. In some situations its better to be like Ghandi and provide no resistance whereas others you have to pony up.

[Sagacious Lu]

I'm a little hesitant to post this because I don't want it to seem like I'm bragging which is not my intent at all. This is a great example of why I train though, and I hope this will add to the discussion. Last night some jack ass tried to shake me down for my wallet. I was going to a club in mid-town to hear Infiltrata spin, and when I got to the door I realized that I was short on cash. That was no big deal since I knew where there was an ATM a couple blocks away. As I was getting close to the bank the street was pretty much empty except for three guys on the other side of the street about two blocks in front of me. They were being loud and laughing. As we approached each other one of them crossed the street and stopped in front of me. His two friends were watching- still on the other side of the street. He tapped my arm and asked me how much money I had. I looked him over and didn't see any obvious weapons, and although he was a little taller than me he didn't really have a size advantage. I brought my hands up and told him I didn't have any (I had about $10 in my pocket) so he asked me again louder. I looked him in the eye and told him "Not a dime". I was more than a little nervous, but I figured if he had a weapon he'd have pulled it on me from the get go, and his friends were still on the other side of the street. He pulled his fist back to his ear like he was going to throw a big sloppy punch and I brought my fists the rest of the way up to guard- I had my hands up the whole time. At that point he quickly jogged back over to his friends, who were cracking up laughing.

Looking back on it I'm proud of how I handled myself. I called his bluff without escalating the situation and ended the confrontation without losing anything or getting hurt. Although I didn't do anything other than put my guard up I def. think my training served me well. It gave me the confidence to look him in the eye and hold my ground without panicing, and the fact that my natural reaction was to put up a solid-looking guard showed him that I meant business and was prepared to fight if I had to. Obviously from the way they behaved they weren't hardened criminals. I think he was just showing off and hoping that he could scare me enough to get a few quick bucks.

[Hardball]

That has happened to me also. Most of the Badguys are looking for an easy target. They can tell from your stance that you are not a Wuss. Also, because of your training---calling your bluff was not an issue. What i mean is, that you were actually prepared for unarmed combat if neccessary.

[Sagacious Lu]

Also, because of your training---calling your bluff was not an issue. What i mean is, that you were actually prepared for unarmed combat if neccessary.

I'll tell you I felt a whole lot better about it as soon as he pulled his fist back to his ear; he wasn't going to hit much punching like that.

[CS J0ker]

God... I used to get picked in school. Thing is I dont do anything about it. My instructor is also my english teacher so he says this " if somone tries to punch you, just block it and walk away. Go tell a teacher or something. " Thing about that is, if you just walk away, many times the person just comes back and attacks you from behind. How the hell are you supposed to block if the dude attacks you from behind. And also, if he doesnt attack and you DO tell a teacher, you are looked upon a snitch. The lowest person in school (thats how it is in my school anyway)

Reason I got picked though is because I didnt do anything about it. Made fun of my ears because they are small and they stick out, and Id just let it pass. Every once in a while Id get them back by getting them in a lock that manipulates the small joints like fingers and stuff and they would quit for a while.

Man, they all stopped once I did a presentation in my school. Halftime in a basketball game, well... they stopped now. Prolly continue later on. But got that is annoying.

[elliotNess]

My instructor is also my english teacher so he says this " if somone tries to punch you, just block it and walk away. Go tell a teacher or something.

You need a better instructor.

[CS J0ker]

Well I live in a smalllll town in SW Arizona. Its called Somerton and thats practically the only instructor in the whole town that has an actual dojo... and the dojo is held in school campus. ;_; my towns pathetic .

[fermento]

Me personally think there is nothing wrong with bullying, i was bullied in primary school, bullied in high school when my own friends turned against me.
But i grew from it, it made me the warrior i am today, the problem lies with the victim, because they just accept whats going on and do nothing.
Victims need to stop feeling sorry for themselves and fight to live the life they want to lead.
"never let fear stop you living the life you want live"

[Tant01]

Me personally think there is nothing wrong with bullying, i was bullied in primary school, bullied in high school when my own friends turned against me.
But i grew from it, it made me the warrior i am today, ......

...."

Right.... Until it turns Columbine, eh? Revenge is a bitch...

You are no warrior.... If you want to become a warrior enlist in the Marine Corps and get your silly ass to Iraq...