Posted by At first glace, you may think the words ‘fighting’ and ‘etiquette’ shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Not so, says I. In North America, there are major social implications to fighting and going about it incorrectly can have a major affect on your health, social standing, and life in general.
The first element of fighting you need to be aware of is knowing when it’s appropriate. There are definite Do’s and Don’ts and it is vital you know what they are before you board the ass-kicking train.
It’s important to note that people with self-confidence and self-esteem never start fights. This kind of outwardly violent behavior is reserved for individuals with poor self-esteem, image issues or mental problems.
Defense is the Best Offence
Defending yourself or loved ones is really one of the few respectable and socially acceptable ways you can pull off opening a can on someone. If someone attacks your child, wife, or any loved one you have every right to step in and protect them and you’ll likely be applauded for your efforts.
Although defending loved ones is the more likely occurrence, you may find other instances in which it’s socially acceptable to assert your physical presence. Preventing a rape, mugging, or any attack on another person who is unable to defend (i.e. abuse of a child, disabled individual or pet) can all be acceptable times to step in.
Now that you know when it’s okay to fight, you need to understand the kind of force you’re legally allowed to administer on your opponent. To the left is a chart that outlines the amount of allowable force you can dish out depending on the type of attack attempted on you. It’s important to be knowledgeable about what is physically possible within the confines of the law because self-defense can very quickly turn into assault and battery if you’re not careful.
When Your Opponent Becomes the Victim
It’s important to note that you’re only technically allowed to defend yourself to the point at which you can escape the situation and get help. This often does not end up being the case so the law can be lenient when it comes to the force you use in the course of defending yourself. But there is still a chance that you use far too much force than what’s needed to end the situation and this can land you in jail.
If after a series of strikes your opponent is on the ground and you’re standing then, from a legal standpoint, you should leave the scene as quickly as possible and contact the police. Any additional damage done could be counted against you in a court of law. Again, consult the graph above for a visual representation of force allowed under various circumstances within the confines of the law. Even if unusual force isn’t used you’ll need to prove why it is you felt the need to engage. You’ll need to explain why it is you felt threatened and why you reacted in a violent manner.
Violence is rarely the answer. Violence in modern times may be glorified on television and movies but in regular everyday society it’s very much frowned upon. Violence has a very deep emotional facet that is often ignored in popular media but it affects the people directly involved and also bystanders. Alas, sometimes it is unavoidable and only then you should meet attackers with equal force.
In short, real men don’t start fights; they finish them.
