How to defend yourself against a menacing person in the street?
Hey there! Today I was crossing the street to buy some groceries and an idiot in a bike almost hit me when he ignored the red light. I yelled at him "WATCH THE RED LIGHT!". The guy turned around and started to insult me, he got really close to me, putting his face in front of mine and threatening with hitting me (and taunting). I was a bit confused since I never encounter myself in these situations. I just kept a straight face and told him I was not going to fight over a stupid thing.
At the end he left cursing me, but that left me thinking, what is the best way to handle that sort of situation? I am just a regular dude with no training in self defense, and I don't really want to start a fist fight without knowing if my opponent is better than me at that. So I was thinking that maybe a personal defense article could help me.
Of course I can not carry guns, they are illegal here, and I am just thinking about defending against unarmed persons, or at most, knife wielding. Also, I only would defend if I perceive a real threat, but if it's against a gun, I would simply surrender.
What do you think is the best way to go?
At the end he left cursing me, but that left me thinking, what is the best way to handle that sort of situation? I am just a regular dude with no training in self defense, and I don't really want to start a fist fight without knowing if my opponent is better than me at that. So I was thinking that maybe a personal defense article could help me.
Of course I can not carry guns, they are illegal here, and I am just thinking about defending against unarmed persons, or at most, knife wielding. Also, I only would defend if I perceive a real threat, but if it's against a gun, I would simply surrender.
What do you think is the best way to go?
Comments
You could try hitting him with your purse
Is this what Canadians do?
I would do the exact same thing as you did, just tell em to frig off.
If he hits you then hit him back, you are defending yourself.
Or watch this video:
You could try hitting him with your purse
Is this what Canadians do?
no I just assumed he carried one around, since he doesn't know how to defend himself
You could try hitting him with your purse
Is this what Canadians do?
no I just assumed he carried one around, since he doesn't know how to defend himself
EDIT: unnecessary bit that I apologize about.
I don't go around looking to get into fist fights, and honestly I am looking for advice into the best cost effective way to handle an encounter. At the end this guy just left, so that was the best scenario possible. Worse case scenario, he hits me, I hit back. Maybe I win, maybe I do not win, but I end with a bloody face or something. Worst case, we fight, I lose and I end up battered on the pavement.
Hah, and they say canadians are good mannered! I guess it is just a stereotype then. I don't go around looking to get into fist fights, and honestly I am looking for advice into the best cost effective way to handle an encounter. At the end this guy just left, so that was the best scenario possible. Worse case scenario, he hits me, I hit back. Maybe I win, maybe I do not win, but I end with a bloody face or something. Worst case, we fight, I lose and I end up battered on the pavement.
I was only kidding I think your situation went well and most of the time that's how it'll go I would think. For that rare occasion it doesn't, I dunno. Kick him in the nuts and run?
I would not carry a weapon unless the chances are high that your attacker will have a weapon. I would, however, know where to get a weapon if you believe your attacker will leave and return with a weapon. Preferably, go to a friend who owns a weapon and will use it in your defense.
Aside from weapons, I would learn a basic guard stance. Know how to move your feet and keep your arms up to guard your face. Be sure to keep your balance. Just showing your attacker that you are confident and having the appearance of someone ready for a real fight, will be enough to deter some attackers. Use a low-pitched and commanding voice. Focus on your attacker's body language. Most people do not know how to disguise a punch or kick. Focus on their hips and shoulders and you'll see it coming.
If your attacker is aggressive and physically attacks you, neutralize him or her. This could mean knocking the attacker down, pulling clothes over their eyes, using pepper spray, spray paint, window cleaner, throwing dirt/sand in their eyes, throwing water in their face, or use of harassment or disorientation by any other means. If absolutely necessary, return attacks with focused punches. If you haven't trained to fight in hand-to-hand combat, do not attempt a kick. Keeping your balance is key. Use a combination of unpredictable jabs, hooks, and crosses. Push your attacker if you think you can knock them down. If they fall, rush them and use your weight to keep them pinned. Call for help or finish them, depending on how you gauge the threat of them re-engaging.
If you deal severe bodily damage, the head, neck, and groin are most vulnerable. You can gouge their eyes with your fingers, fighting blind is nearly impossible. You can choke them until they pass-out. Delivering some nasty groin hits can disable the attacker simply because of the high pain level.
IMPORTANTLY, do not use any unnecessary force. Before you leave home, think of how a judge, lawyer, and the public will view your behavior. Be sure that it will be seen strictly as self-defense. It is very difficult to think during a fight, so being mentally prepared is very important. Keep in mind what is important to you. Fight for the things and people who are most important to you. The will to fight will bring you victory, even in the face of great odds.
If anything can be avoided, that would be best.
You handled it the best way possible. He sounds like a dick, and it's probably not worth fighting over. I would have just turned into a smartass and pissed him off more, but I have a bit more experience dealing with people like that.
Nuff said.
Punch the nose instead. As hard as you can.
It will hurt like hell, confuse them and give you time to run away.
Only engage in combat if you are in serious danger. Otherwise try to de-escalate and if that doesn't work, neutralize and get the hell out of there.
Knee or kick to the balls are too telegraphed.
Punch the nose instead. As hard as you can.
It will hurt like hell, confuse them and give you time to run away.
Only engage in combat if you are in serious danger. Otherwise try to de-escalate and if that doesn't work, neutralize and get the hell out of there.
what about a punch to the nose and then a kick to the balls?
Knee or kick to the balls are too telegraphed.
Punch the nose instead. As hard as you can.
It will hurt like hell, confuse them and give you time to run away.
Only engage in combat if you are in serious danger. Otherwise try to de-escalate and if that doesn't work, neutralize and get the hell out of there.
what about a punch to the nose and then a kick to the balls?
Takes time away from the running away, and you can always lose balance when doing a kick if you aren't practised in them.
And by the time they would have recovered enough from the bloody, painful nose, they would also be recovered from that.
Of course, if it was a rapist, then unleash all hell upon him or her at your leisure.
Road rage is alive and well though, holy fuck, people really need to chill out on the roads. People are fucking crazy when they have a car to protect them.
Seriously though I'd shit my pants in that situation, nice to read some advice on how to handle this in case it happens.
Worst case, we fight, I lose and I end up battered on the pavement.
Climactic.
Not sure if you mean motorbike or bicycle, but if it was a motorbike maybe get the license plate number? Lots more fun shit you can do after the fact.
Back to the don't take a swing- if you're not used to punching somebody, there is a high probability of you breaking your hand. Even if you are, that hand breaks waaaaaaaay too easy. Take them down and slam their head against the nearest blunt object/wall/etc until they give up.
You took the correct course of action.