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Maybe there's been a misunderstanding, or perhaps someone's had a little too much to drink but a fight is brewing, and you don't want anything to do with it. What to do? Follow these easy steps, and avoid a nasty black eye.

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EditSteps

  1. Avoid a Confrontation Step 1.jpg
    1
    Determine the cause of the problem. Perhaps you said something inappropriate or offensive. If so, a simple and sincere apology might ward off a possible confrontation.
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  2. Avoid a Confrontation Step 2.jpg
    2
    Evaluate the situation. If you sense that an apology might not be accepted, take a look at the other person's size, and see how you measure up in case a confrontation might occur.
  3. Avoid a Confrontation Step 3.jpg
    3
    Restrain yourself. Even if you feel confident that you would come out on the winning end of an altercation, there is no reason to get into a fight.
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    4
    Try to assume control. If the other person is intoxicated, attempt to calm him down. Tell him you don't want to fight, and pick up your cell phone as if to show him you will call your local emergency number. (See Tip below.)
  5. Avoid a Confrontation Step 5.jpg
    5
    Protect yourself. If all else fails, just get away from there as soon as possible. Run until you are in a well-populated area, and then call your local emergency number.
  6. Avoid a Confrontation Step 6.jpg
    6
    Be humble and kind. This usually works because it's hard to be hostile to an agreeable person.
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EditTips

  • Emergency numbers:

    • Australia: 000
    • India: 100
    • China: 110
    • New Zealand: 111
    • Europe: 112
    • Portugal: 112
    • Jamaica 119
    • Japan: 119
    • South Korea: 119
    • USA/Canada: 911
    • UK: 999
    • Singapore: 999 police, 995 medical
    • Malaysia: 999
    • Hong Kong: 999
    • Sweden: 112
    • Italy: 112
    • Greece: 100 police, 166 medical
    • Europe: 112 for all emergencies
    • Vietnam: 113
  • If you are at a bar and the other person seems to be with friends, just leave.
  • Be familiar with your state's self defense laws. If all of your attempts to resolve the incident peacefully or depart the scene fail and the only option left is defending yourself - strike fast and hard. The harder you train, the shorter the fight will be.
  • Only if all of the above steps have failed should you resort to violence-and under no circumstances whatsoever should you strike first. 99% of fights can be avoided in this manner-only the most determined opponents will still attack. If a fight can at all be avoided, it must be.
  • If you have friends at the bar who try to instigate a fight, just get up and leave. They will soon follow you.

EditWarnings

  • Never try to start a fight. You never know if the other person is carrying weapons. It is better and safer to walk away from a confrontation than to be victim of a confrontation.

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Article Info

Categories: Managing Conflict and Difficult Interactions

Recent edits by: Rock20000, Claudia, Skycaptain95

In other languages:

Español: Cómo evitar una confrontación

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