Fight or flight? What to do when a bully squares up to you

Chris was doing a typical day’s work at the local butcher’s when a man behind him started swearing at him, claiming he had got blood on his shirt. A few weeks later, Chris found himself confronted by a burly individual who accused Chris of disrespecting his friend. At first Chris tried to avoid confrontation but, as he found himself pursued in the street, he decided that the only way to protect himself was to challenge his pursuer. When he did so, the pursuer backed away.

This would not be the end of the situation, however. Chris found himself pursued by the same individual on two more occasions. Finally, a fight broke out. Despite his smaller size, Chris got the better of the exchange. It seemed as if the conflict had reached an end but Chris would go on to discover something about his attacker that would make him realise how intensely close to danger he had been.

Would Chris end up regretting the actions he had taken to defend himself? And how should you react when you are threatened in the street?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Chris. His honesty, humility and considered reflections are deeply appreciated. They also provide a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world.

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