Violence and aggression can act like a bad spread of the flu virus; when a carrier inters the vicinity many others are likely to catch it. However, while puffing your chest out and breathing hard may seem like the best thing to do, such an act only puts you level with the perpetrator of confrontation. Perhaps you are bigger than he or she. Maybe you do know the right Judo chop to knock him out. But, in today's world, as mighty as some of us think we are, size or skill does little in the face of a knife or bullet. And there are plenty of fools in world willing to use these methods to prove that they are bigger than your biceps.

So what, pray tell, is one to do in the light of confrontation? Here are some methods I find very useful to remaining above the perpetrator's level:

1. Don't look the opponent in the eyes. If you feel fear in the situation, you can feed them power by challenging them in the eyes and "loosing".
   
2. Treat the person like they are too ignorant to know what they are doing and avoid talking to them.
   
3. Don't react. When you react to their childish thwarts you are again feeding them. Instead respond to the situation with as much clarity as possible.
   
4. Understand the individual's angle. Understanding is not justification and it will elevate you beyond their level of ignorance.
   

All of the above are methods of avoiding conflict and remaining aware if caught by someone else' aggression. Of course, one cannot always plan his moves when caught in a situation, but with these ideas in your mind, chances are you will respond with better clarity.

For physical self defense contact this man: Victor Gojcevic @ paradoxical_vg@yahoo.com