How do you handle people harassing you?

I haven’t been harassed since tenth grade, but I have a few stories.

Once in about fifth grade I was running (O.K., walking) on the track when I heard two kids talking about “getting” me and my friend who was running with me. Each of them picked one of us. My friend took off, pursued by his assailant. I continued to walk while I was approached. I honestly don’t remember the details well, but there was a punch, a kick, and he ended up in a full nelson and then I threw him on the ground. We ended up in the principals office and were friends ever since.

In 8th grade I was constantly verbally harassed by a couple of kids, one day after class they decided one of them was going to beat me up. They told me it was coming. Then I was approached at my locker, I was up against the lockers and surrounded by a half circle of kids. The lead bully stepped up and hauled off to punch me in the stomach. I was obviously ready for the punch and he hit me with everything he had and I didn’t flinch. I just stood there and looked at him. They walked away and never messed with me again. This time I did not end up in the principles office.

In 10th grade there was this kid who was just huge, 6’4” at least, and that’s no exaggeration, I was 6’ at the time. And he was pretty muscular too. He always gave me a hard time one way or another, and one day he told me to give him all my money. I was stunned. “What is this, third grade?” I thought. I said no. He hauled off and slapped me hard across the face and said give me you money again. I said no and that was the end of it.

Moral of the story: A lot of bullies aren’t really prepared for a fight, and just want to get a reaction. They assume they can reduce you to tears with one shot and feel like big men. When you take the best they’ve got with no reaction, they’re done. No need to get in a fight and risk serious injury or trouble with authorities if a real fight is not coming your way. Which is not to say you can’t defend yourself, just that you are capable of making a decision about when it is really necessary to hit back.

@Snarp We ended up in the principals office and were friends ever since.

Hey, the guy that tried to bully me, we became very good friends. His mom owed a store not far from the school and he would take me down there and feed me hamburges everyday…loll..now, that is a friend.

@Cotton101 I think that with grade school bullying that outcome is fairly common.

@Snarp oh yes, could tell another dozen stories about bullies…

when i was in the 9th grade, a senior who was on the football team, about 6’4” and weighed about 220 hit me from the blind side and sent me across the gym floor and hit my head on the wall. Got up, and thought about going and getting a baseball bat and knocking his ass off…well, after more thought…decided that would not be a good thing..

Many years later, I was 6’4” and weighed about 235 (played college basketball and still in great shape) was in the Kream Kup to buy a hamburger..guess who walk in..the guy that hit me!...walked up to him and called him by his last name and said, “Wright would you like to try hitting me now?” The chicken did not say a word…LOLL

I have become tough and I enjoy putting them in their place. I am a mule when I know I am right. Never allow anyone to force you to go against what you know is right. Document the facts and ignore their endless chatter.

Growing up,my sister would KMA often.This went on for a long time until the day I lost it on her.She ran into the bathroom, locked the door behind her and climbed out on the roof.I let her stay out there until I graduated from high school…hehehe…We get along very well now and are quite close,but every so often I wish she was still fiddling around on the roof ;)

The last time I was harrassed (and stalked) was a year ago…

She was under the impression that, because she has money, and an education, I was supposed to bow down, kiss her ring, raise my children, and run my household the way SHE thought I should…After I made it clear to her I raised 3 of my 4 children without ANY input from her childless self, have paid for, and run my household on my own for the past 10 years, wasn’t as dim as she expected a woman with a 10th grade education to be, and was totally unimpressed with her family’s wealth, and her own intelligence…she quit acting like a princess…she’s still a bitch on occasion, but I think she’s been knocked off her pedestal…at least where I’m concerned.

The local bully was beating the crud out of my big brother he was 9, I was 6 but I had a skill set which was handy in these situations. I could throw a rock with deadly accuracy and I could run like the wind. One day when my brother was getting his weekly wedgie I threw a rock at the bully, I almost took out his eye. His dad showed up with Bubba in tow and demanded my father bring the kid who hurt Bubba to the door so he might impress upon him how dangerous and uncivilized this sort of behavior was. Dad called me and I walked between his legs and peered out at the man and his dingle berry of a boy. The father said, “You are the one who threw the rock?” I said, “Yes, but Bubba was picking on my brother again.” The man was so embarrassed he drug Bubba home by the ear. In short, you deal with a bully by fighting back.

@Silhouette LOLL…good one!

@Cotton101 Thanks

@Silhouette Welcome

The last time I was “harassed” was on another Q&A site (which shall remain nameless). A young man used to pop up every so often to criticize me on certain topics. He would downrate my answers and would tell me I’m old and just try to goad me into “fighting” with him by saying rude things to me. I would simply tell him that I wasn’t going to waste my time or energy on him. He finally faded into the woodwork permanently. I guess it just wasn’t “fun” for him since I wouldn’t allow him to annoy me.

People who harass others are bullies and bullies are basically cowards who find pleasure in trying to make others as miserable as they are.

I go away.

@JustPlainBarb oh my gosh, a friendly face! Barb, I’ve been so lonely here! LOLL..awwwww…geezzzz!

@Cotton101 Nice to see you and GQ.

I’ve never been harassed! Or was I just oblivious?

I ignore them.

(Isn’t that what Caller ID is for?)

Ingore them.

I harrass back…its one ofthose things where when you are done you say should I have not messed with him…the answer would be yes!