This isn't some preppy college boy frat party. I don't know what kind of a "bar" you've been around, but these are real bars with real dangerous men who will gut you like a pig if you look at them crossways. Criminals who've been to jail and don't mind if they go back. I don't give a shit what you think about it. You go play patty cake and you end up dead. You want obituaries? Yes, for the record, I've been to prison. I'm also still alive where other aren't.
You are the one in love with Hollywood theory. I live in the real, dangerous world where you die if you wait until you're ass is in trouble. You think you hash out rules before a bar fight? There are no rules. There is no philosophical discussion like this one. You fuck, or you get fucked.
I would stay out of bars where fights are likely to break out if I were you. Most especially, don't get into people's faces talking violence with that attitude.
Sorry to necro this thread, found it from someone's sig...
That's always been my philosophy for at least 10 years (I'm 30 now). We're adults, we're no longer in grade school. If someone threatens you with physical harm, you need to take that threat very seriously, your life is potentially at stake. Even if they aren't using a weapon, the right punch or elbow or knee and you can die (or get knocked out and then die when your head slams into something).
My advice for anyone who's put in a situation where someone is escalating the situation, try to step back and leave. If you are pursued or have nowhere to retreat to, refrain from getting into shit talking or provoking the other person. If they step up into your personal space, I would advise that you do not wait to see what their intentions are. In most states in America I highly doubt you would be criminally liable for being the first to physically act in a confrontation where someone else is being the aggressor and threatening you.
Just to clarify, I'm not a violent person, I would never go out of my way to start a fight, but you're being delusional if you don't think there are dangerous people in all parts of the world, and potentially in any bar or establishment you visit. My point (and I'm pretty sure Pappy's) is that if someone is going to get in your face or threaten you with violence, you shouldn't wait around to find out if they're going to follow through with it. Either separate yourself from the situation, or be the first to act (you can still claim self defense if you are the first to physically act, if someone is threatening you and approaching you in a violent manner)
