[...] where I live it's almost impossible I go into a real fight. Why? First, because I don't work in an environment where it could happen more often (like being a LEO or a bouncer). Second, because if someone attacked me, there would be 0,1% chance my best option would be fighting back.
Why would ever someone attack me? Where I live, there's almost one only reason: to rob me. But where I live a robber would never attack me without circumstances that would put him in great advantage like: 1) the assailant has a gun; 2) he's got me alone against him and his partners (even so, rarely they would be unarmed); 3) there's a fragile and beloved one with me, like my wife or my daugther. Why would I ever, in such situations, choose to risk my life and/or other people's lives instead of only giving my money and going back home safely, after it's over? It's a very complicated choice, and there are many variables involved.
So I do believe fighting is an option, but it's the last option. Seriously, if you live in a hard environment, maybe you should buy a gun (anyway, you have to understand fully the responsibility of having one). Furthermore, self defense begins much sooner. Start watching out for your back when going on the streets. Avoid going out alone and walking around dangerous places (it many times depends on what time it is). Beware of the surroundings, trying to detect people with bad intentions. Try to walk in a way you don't look like a convenient target. Remember women and children are the favorite targets of assailants, so you have to take particular care with your loved ones. A person concerned with self defense maybe should try to learn to have how to talk to an agressor, how to avoid a fight with using words (example: not to stimulate or increase an agressive response from another person). One more thing: we have to remember that an agressor could be much more prepared to deal with stress over violent situations than a martial artist, once the first can already be used to deal with alike situations, while the later is used to train in a safe, controled area.
We have to remember that martial arts were created in a reality totally different of ours today, and in that time it was immediately meant to be used as self defense -- and they were more useful, because there weren't or there were not so many fire guns like today.
). I run about 30 or 40 kms a week and I always run with my german shepherd who is a big male and very protective of myself, my wife and my kids. When I map a run I always have to factor in a drink break at some point of the run for my dog becase they dehydrate very easily on long runs in the heat. Anyway, on this particular afternoon I was on a particularly long run and was passing through an area I wouldnt usually frequent (not because its a bad area, I just dont normally go that way). I saw a toilet block at the back of a park and stopped off in there to let my dog get a drink. My dog knows to just wander into a cubicle and drink from the basin (the tap is motion activated so he sticks his head there and the tap comes on). This left me standing alone in the entrance waiting for him. Suddenly, from out of nowhere a very dodgy looking guy appeared who asked if I was alone (which sent alarm bells ringing). He was talking to me and pressing forward and checking out my shoes and ipod and was basically backing me into a corner. It certainly didnt take great awareness to realise this guy was going to try something any second. Anyway, my dog cruised out of the cubicle and was uncomfortable with the situation (my dog wont let anyone stand toe to toe with me, he will always stand between me and another person, he actually barked heatedly at a mate once while we were doing sd in my backyard, and he knows and loves that particular friend of mine). My dog pushed his way between me and the other guy and just stared at him. The guy then said "gee he's a big boy isnt he, is he yours?", I said "yeah he's mine", and he replied "he doesnt look happy, I wouldnt want him messing with me", to which I replied "believe me, you dont want that to happen". The guy then looked panicked and instantly backed off and left the block saying nothing. I have no doubt that had my dog not been there it would not have ended that well, he could have had a knife for all I knew.
