Siggyboy
Member
Ha ha! That was great Dig! 
All these grade-school stories are lame. "This one time, in 4th grade...."
All these grade-school stories are lame. "This one time, in 4th grade...."
"It happened to me" and "Lessons Learned" by High Roaders
- Thread starter orangeninja
- Start date
- Status
axeman_g
Member
A little later in life lesson
I was picked on in school, being a well fed, somewhat rich kid. I was a little passive, but I learned to stand up to bullies in about 8th grade and fight. I definetley took some beatings, but I never backed down.
Years later, I am in my upper 20s, 6' and 200#, not the biggest be any means, much less passive after years of football and water polo, and working as a doorman/bouncer at a bar. Whenever trouble started, just by calmly giving the impression that I was going to soundly whip and humiliate the troublemakers usually defused the situation. In three years I had three altercation go to fists and I dont regret one of them because the other guy always had an out. At least 100 inceidences more defused by rational and calm behavior.
This nows works in my corporate position, where if an antagonist/nasayer gets the idea that you will crap all over his/her position in a calm and succinct manner and embarass them, they usually back off. I havent had to punch anyone.
Lesson learned ... always be ready to defend yourself with confidence and emotional distance, whether the weapon be words or actions.
I was picked on in school, being a well fed, somewhat rich kid. I was a little passive, but I learned to stand up to bullies in about 8th grade and fight. I definetley took some beatings, but I never backed down.
Years later, I am in my upper 20s, 6' and 200#, not the biggest be any means, much less passive after years of football and water polo, and working as a doorman/bouncer at a bar. Whenever trouble started, just by calmly giving the impression that I was going to soundly whip and humiliate the troublemakers usually defused the situation. In three years I had three altercation go to fists and I dont regret one of them because the other guy always had an out. At least 100 inceidences more defused by rational and calm behavior.
This nows works in my corporate position, where if an antagonist/nasayer gets the idea that you will crap all over his/her position in a calm and succinct manner and embarass them, they usually back off. I havent had to punch anyone.
Lesson learned ... always be ready to defend yourself with confidence and emotional distance, whether the weapon be words or actions.
orangeninja
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2003
- Messages
- 3,117
I started the thread....and I think I caused a little confusion. I was looking for any type of story that people learned somthing about their own well being. Kind of like what those gun rags try to do with stories of shootings. I started mine off with a grade school story, but if I'd known it would be nothing but, I wouldn't have started it.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Zonamo
Member
Many years ago, I had a summer job where I was responsible for a recreational facility. I was not very knowledgeable about firearms at the time, having only owned and used a single-shot shotgun for bird hunting. But one of my employees was a gun "enthusiast."
This was in the days before gangs were the problems they are today, but some gangster wannabe's showed up one day, and caused enough trouble that they had to be ejected. They came back about 45 minutes later and at the entrance their leader pulled a small-caliber handgun on me, perhaps a raven .22, racked the slide, and asked "you wanna mess with me?"
Guns were illegal in the facility, and I was only armed with my hands. But before I could even react the leader's eyes suddenly opened wide and all his buddies lined up behind him. I then heard a loud click behind me, saw a wet stain appear on the leader's pants, and then the entire group started running like mutant zombie bears were on their tail.
Unbeknownst to me, my "gun enthusiast" employee had retrieved his Thompson Contender 12" .44 magnum from the car and had pulled it when the leader racked his little pocket pistol. It was like the scene from Crocodile Dundee-"You call that a gun? THIS is a gun!"
Having seen my employee's hunting handloads, I suspect that even with one shot he could have taken four or five of the gang after they lined up in a row.
Lesson number one: Bring enough gun.
About an hour later the gang unit from the local police arrived with a report that one of my employees had threatened some "kids" with a gun. They talked to the employee with the Thompson and several other witnesses, and despite the fact that guns were not allowed there, his story convinced the cops not to press charges. I doubt they would have let it go today, but the questioning did drive home another important point.
Lesson number two: He who calls first is the "victim."
This was in the days before gangs were the problems they are today, but some gangster wannabe's showed up one day, and caused enough trouble that they had to be ejected. They came back about 45 minutes later and at the entrance their leader pulled a small-caliber handgun on me, perhaps a raven .22, racked the slide, and asked "you wanna mess with me?"
Guns were illegal in the facility, and I was only armed with my hands. But before I could even react the leader's eyes suddenly opened wide and all his buddies lined up behind him. I then heard a loud click behind me, saw a wet stain appear on the leader's pants, and then the entire group started running like mutant zombie bears were on their tail.
Unbeknownst to me, my "gun enthusiast" employee had retrieved his Thompson Contender 12" .44 magnum from the car and had pulled it when the leader racked his little pocket pistol. It was like the scene from Crocodile Dundee-"You call that a gun? THIS is a gun!"
Having seen my employee's hunting handloads, I suspect that even with one shot he could have taken four or five of the gang after they lined up in a row.
Lesson number one: Bring enough gun.
About an hour later the gang unit from the local police arrived with a report that one of my employees had threatened some "kids" with a gun. They talked to the employee with the Thompson and several other witnesses, and despite the fact that guns were not allowed there, his story convinced the cops not to press charges. I doubt they would have let it go today, but the questioning did drive home another important point.
Lesson number two: He who calls first is the "victim."
orangeninja
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2003
- Messages
- 3,117
Amen...on both morals of the story.
Moparmike
Member
Straight out of Indiana Jones?
My first "incident" was in 5th grade, standing in line to have my test graded. This guy, Clayton Houghland, wouldnt leave me alone. He had always picked on me, etc etc. So, after telling him multiple times to stop it and the teacher doing nothing (and I hadn't done anything yet because of his large, burly presence), I turned around and pushed him away while saying "STOP IT NOW!" Well, he decided he needed to grab my shirt collar and get in my face. Unfortunately for him, I had just seen Goldfinger the night before, and perfectly duplicated the "thrust both arms up and outward, knocking his hands away, then forcefully sweep them down into his ribs" move, which promptly doubled him over. I then body slammed him into the wall, and told him to leave me alone. He toned it down later in life, but never fully quit.
My teacher, also my basketball coach and the guy that administers all the swats, merely said "if you insist upon doing that sort of thing at school, dont do it in my classroom." "Yes, sir" was the response, and nary a word after that was said.
I can think of a few times I wish I had used that lesson later in life.
Then there was this one time when this little pissant wouldnt leave my sister alone, after she had confronted him about it. He had the gaul to do this next to my mom's truck. Now, this guy was about 120, and 5'2" or so. I was 5'11", 260. I started off in a calm tone of voice, and it only got more calm, the "oh my god he is insane and going to rip my head off and puke down my throat" kind of crazy-calm (
), as I went along. He decided he was going to start poking my chest telling me how it "was going to be", after we had some discussion about my sister. I promptly grabbed him by the collar and told him to leave my sister alone, and if he didn't I would be kicking is butt, only in a more "colorful" fashion. He tried to bow up on me, and I was still holding his collar. I promptly slammed him up against the bed of the truck, and told him something like "not only have you been annoying my sister, you have also scratched up my mothers nice paintjob. Do you know how pissed off I am at that? If I ever hear that you have annoyed my sister again, not only will I take the cost of the paint out of you, I will also make sure you never annoy her again. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" He had this look, like I had put the fear of God into him or something. My mother was so proud.
He ran off, and his large cousin (in my grade) confronted me about it the next morning. This is a guy I know could bend, fold, staple, and mutilate my body and barely work up a sweat doing it. He breifly told me to leave the cousin alone, and I responded with "well, tell him to leave my sister alone and he wont have a problem" about as matter of factly as I could. He saw the look in my eyes, a look he hadnt seen before, and "harrumphed" as he walked away.
Lesson: Even if people dont know how well you can back up your words, having the reputation of someone that may just decide that you will be the one he "snaps" on and goes psycho isn't such a bad rep to have.
fistful
member
Pax,
You are very right to point out that women can indeed be dangerous characters. The overgeneralization of which I am accused, which arises from the fact that women are much less likely than men to physically attack a man, are precisely why it is unusual that 1911 Ron felt mortally threatened. As loud-mouthed men rarely back up their threats, one hardly expects an angry woman to do so.
In any case, the fact that Ron left out any details that might have explained his concern resulted in a story that makes Ron sound like a real pansy. Hence the posts are funny and he will be mocked. Note I have not accused him of cowardice, I am merely provoking him so that he will defend himself, and explain the situation.
Why, you ask, don't I just ask for the details? It's more fun this way.
You are very right to point out that women can indeed be dangerous characters. The overgeneralization of which I am accused, which arises from the fact that women are much less likely than men to physically attack a man, are precisely why it is unusual that 1911 Ron felt mortally threatened. As loud-mouthed men rarely back up their threats, one hardly expects an angry woman to do so.
In any case, the fact that Ron left out any details that might have explained his concern resulted in a story that makes Ron sound like a real pansy.
Hence the posts are funny and he will be mocked. Note I have not accused him of cowardice, I am merely provoking him so that he will defend himself, and explain the situation.Why, you ask, don't I just ask for the details? It's more fun this way.
PATH
Member
All I know is that whether you win or lose your hands hurt. AT least mine have in the past. There are always tough guys and I ain't one of them. I believe in walking away. I believe in being as humble as the dust.
Being 6'6", 300+ pounds, and looking like a psycho does help of course.
You can punch someone and kill them. You might cause a blood vessel to rupture or cause them to fall and crack their skull. Physical violence has risks. I am a pacifist up to the point where it is impossible to be one. Fighting can sometimes get you killed or the fellow you are fighting with killed.
I have not been in a fist fight in dogs years and I avoid bad situations like the plague. I hope to continue avoiding the use of violence or being involved in situations that could lead to it.
Being 6'6", 300+ pounds, and looking like a psycho does help of course.
You can punch someone and kill them. You might cause a blood vessel to rupture or cause them to fall and crack their skull. Physical violence has risks. I am a pacifist up to the point where it is impossible to be one. Fighting can sometimes get you killed or the fellow you are fighting with killed.
I have not been in a fist fight in dogs years and I avoid bad situations like the plague. I hope to continue avoiding the use of violence or being involved in situations that could lead to it.
bigred0383
Member
My story happened last week. I am a senior in college and have had the unfortunate privledge of living near one of the world's lesser human beings for over a year now. He is the kind to run his mouth, and take advantage of any situation, or person that he sees as something he can profit from. I REALLY don't like this guy, but he is a freind of a friend, so I see him on a somewhat regular basis. He knows I don't like him and normally stays away but evidently he felt extra cocky last saturday. We were standing outside a freind's apartment, when he felt the need to spit. Most of it landed on my shoe (and I am not entirely sure that was an accident either). Instead of apologizing, he started cracking jokes about it. I won't lie, I wanted to beat the crap out of this guy. So I threw a beer on him. (Now normally, I can brush things off, but like I said I REALLY don't like this guy, and I KNEW if I gave him an inch he would take a mile.) He didn't find this funny, so to impress the people around us he started to swagger towards me his hand closing into a fist. This idiot wasn't even looking at me as he did it, he was smiling to the people around us in a "look what my bad ass has to do now" sort of way. He was coming to hit me and he WASN'T EVEN LOOKING AT ME. In any event I grabbed his shirt with both hands and threw him backwards, and far too calmly said, "try it and see what happens." Now I don't claim to be a super strong or tough guy, but I have a pretty big build (6ft 225lbs) and my wrestling coach used to make me run around with the heavyweight starter on my back, so I am no wimp either. His look of shock was priceless. He went back inside and hasn't talked to me since.
Lessons I learned: Intentions, good or bad, can mean a lot. Fear and respect can work very differently. You don't always have to hit somone to win a fight. Sometimes you just have to deal with
holes.
Lessons I learned: Intentions, good or bad, can mean a lot. Fear and respect can work very differently. You don't always have to hit somone to win a fight. Sometimes you just have to deal with
holes.TonyB
Member
Sounds to me like the smartest guy here is Boats.....
but all these stories have me thinking....if I ever see Wally from Our Savior's lutheran school again he's goin' down
but all these stories have me thinking....if I ever see Wally from Our Savior's lutheran school again he's goin' down
Smokey Joe
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2003
- Messages
- 2,617
Lessons--NOT from grade school:
My wife finally taught me that when I'm driving, and a passenger points out a hazard I've already seen, they really are just trying to be helpful. Better 2 of us see it and deal with it, than nobody does.
THR and TFL posters have finally taught me that I'd better keep my words soft and sweet, in case I have to eat them.
Both lessons help me enjoy life with a little less stress and strain.
Thanks Dear Mrs. Smokey Joe! Thanks THR and TFL'ers!
My wife finally taught me that when I'm driving, and a passenger points out a hazard I've already seen, they really are just trying to be helpful. Better 2 of us see it and deal with it, than nobody does.
THR and TFL posters have finally taught me that I'd better keep my words soft and sweet, in case I have to eat them.
Both lessons help me enjoy life with a little less stress and strain.
Thanks Dear Mrs. Smokey Joe! Thanks THR and TFL'ers!
dustind
Member
alduro: Sorry that more of us did not learn from life or death experiences with plots that could easily be made into action movies.
Never mind my stories, I wouldn't want to bore anyone or be called names.
Never mind my stories, I wouldn't want to bore anyone or be called names.
Last night I was driving, thinking about being in 10th grade again... And some woman pulled out in front of me.. The other lane was clear and I was going 55mph but she pulled in front of ME. I changed lanes and blew my horn and though" I'm glad that when I was in HS I took Drivers Ed."
BluesBear
member
What the heck....
Didn't none of y'all go to band camp?
Didn't none of y'all go to band camp?
Persnickety
Member
Hey! What's with these 'my car was being followed by . . .' posts? If your car is being followed, drive to the police station. For some reason, the follower tends to turn off, rather than drive behind you into the cop's parking lot.
For pity's sake, if you are being followed, DO NOT DRIVE TO YOUR OWN HOME. Do not give lunatics your address.
I'm no fighter, so I rely on insanity to diffuse tense situations.
About midnight, at a bus stop, (I know, but sometimes ya gotta), with 4 or 5 unpleasant creatures making unpleasant suggestions - "Well, I'm small and outnumbered, so I'll probably go down. When I do, I'll take a piece of you with me. If you're sure it's a piece you won't mind losing, let's have at it." & they all went away . . . .
Then I went home and cried for 3 days straight.
& once - I was feeling very depressed anyway, and actually contemplating suicide - some thug threatened to kill me. Given the mood I was in, it struck me funny and I started laughing hysterically. "HAH! I've been trying to work up the nerve to kill myself for weeks and here you are offering to do it for free!" The thug looked absolutely appalled, said "Sh** you are $&#* crazy" and walked away.
So I've learned three things:
Show no fear.
Be whacko.
Be lucky.
For pity's sake, if you are being followed, DO NOT DRIVE TO YOUR OWN HOME. Do not give lunatics your address.
I'm no fighter, so I rely on insanity to diffuse tense situations.
About midnight, at a bus stop, (I know, but sometimes ya gotta), with 4 or 5 unpleasant creatures making unpleasant suggestions - "Well, I'm small and outnumbered, so I'll probably go down. When I do, I'll take a piece of you with me. If you're sure it's a piece you won't mind losing, let's have at it." & they all went away . . . .
Then I went home and cried for 3 days straight.
& once - I was feeling very depressed anyway, and actually contemplating suicide - some thug threatened to kill me. Given the mood I was in, it struck me funny and I started laughing hysterically. "HAH! I've been trying to work up the nerve to kill myself for weeks and here you are offering to do it for free!" The thug looked absolutely appalled, said "Sh** you are $&#* crazy" and walked away.
So I've learned three things:
Show no fear.
Be whacko.
Be lucky.
mmike87
Member
firesafety3 - that's awesome. I love it.
BluesBear
member
50freak, that's OK as long as you used a machete and not a flute.
12 Volt Man
Member
OK, here is my life changing experience. Or at least the experience that started my desire for a CCW license.
Back in 1993 to 1995 I was spending time as a Laotian Speaking Mormon Missionary in Oakland California. (Let's not make this a religious issue, but you needed to know that to understand the story) We had been teaching and looking after a widow woman who had 5 young kids all living in a very bad neighborhood in a one bedroom apartment. She happened to be Mien, which is a hill tribe from Laos somewhat similar to the Hmong Hill Tribe people. This is a lesser known hill tribe and many of them reside in the Bay Area of California. Anyway....Their culture is animistic. They worship their dead ancestors and spend time doing rituals to appease the spirits. Some of her family members became angry that she was working with the "Mormons" and that she had been attending church with us. The were upset because they believed that the dead ancestors of her family were becoming angry and bringing bad luck on their family. So they took action. They actually slit all four tires on her minivan. This was their families only transportation. We acquired some donations and we were fixing her van for her one night. It became dark and that neighborhood was not a good place to be after dark. I was bent down trying to loosen some lug nuts on the car. I glanced up at a car moving slowly down the street towards us. I saw an Asian teenager lean out of the back window 1/2 of his body was out of the car. I could also see that he was pointing a gun at us, I tackled the guy that was with me as I dove behind the car while said teenager proceeds to unload his magazine at us. We came through without any new holes in us. I don't know if it was her extended family that had put a "hit" out on us, or if it was just kids messing around.
What I learned:
If there is a gun fight, then I want to be shooting back. I felt so defenseless. I will always remember that feeling. Thus I have made the decision to be able to defend myself next time.
Back in 1993 to 1995 I was spending time as a Laotian Speaking Mormon Missionary in Oakland California. (Let's not make this a religious issue, but you needed to know that to understand the story) We had been teaching and looking after a widow woman who had 5 young kids all living in a very bad neighborhood in a one bedroom apartment. She happened to be Mien, which is a hill tribe from Laos somewhat similar to the Hmong Hill Tribe people. This is a lesser known hill tribe and many of them reside in the Bay Area of California. Anyway....Their culture is animistic. They worship their dead ancestors and spend time doing rituals to appease the spirits. Some of her family members became angry that she was working with the "Mormons" and that she had been attending church with us. The were upset because they believed that the dead ancestors of her family were becoming angry and bringing bad luck on their family. So they took action. They actually slit all four tires on her minivan. This was their families only transportation. We acquired some donations and we were fixing her van for her one night. It became dark and that neighborhood was not a good place to be after dark. I was bent down trying to loosen some lug nuts on the car. I glanced up at a car moving slowly down the street towards us. I saw an Asian teenager lean out of the back window 1/2 of his body was out of the car. I could also see that he was pointing a gun at us, I tackled the guy that was with me as I dove behind the car while said teenager proceeds to unload his magazine at us. We came through without any new holes in us. I don't know if it was her extended family that had put a "hit" out on us, or if it was just kids messing around.
What I learned:
If there is a gun fight, then I want to be shooting back. I felt so defenseless. I will always remember that feeling. Thus I have made the decision to be able to defend myself next time.
Average Guy
Member
I've never been in a "real" fight. After I got some size and "skillz" (and my father's omnipresent scowl), trouble seemed to forget how to find me.
But if you want a school story... I got picked on a lot in high school and just let it go (OK, it scarred my psyche, truth be told, but only superficially). Last year I went to my 20-year HS reunion with all my hair, in great shape, in a nice suit, with my beautiful wife at my side. I made sure to shake hands with my tormentors, and I didn't stop smiling all night. I can't see how beating someone up could have felt better than that.
But if you want a school story... I got picked on a lot in high school and just let it go (OK, it scarred my psyche, truth be told, but only superficially). Last year I went to my 20-year HS reunion with all my hair, in great shape, in a nice suit, with my beautiful wife at my side. I made sure to shake hands with my tormentors, and I didn't stop smiling all night. I can't see how beating someone up could have felt better than that.
mbs357
Member
I always had people bugging me in school. I really have no idea why, either. I was quiet, hardly said a word, did decent work (up until high school) and didn't bother anyone. Never did get into a fight because I don't see much point in hitting someone unless I think they're going to hurt me first. *shrug*
- Status
