Cyclist punched repeatedly in the head by aggressive driver furious that group were riding two abreast

I used to teach knife defences, many of which involved the attacker conveniently impaling themselves. We started with rubber knives, then wood and finally real knives.
Even though I taught such things, I would only ever use them as a very last resort i.e. if actually being attacked. Not worth the risk.

Stop talking rubbish I'm nearly 80, I can hardly walk, how the hell can I get the hell out there?

By fighting back I'm protecting myself from serious injury or death - do you understand that?

You should stop living in your fantasy world and start living in the real world.

I was attacked at Barnes Station by a gang - I phoned the police, nobody turned up - a few weeks later I received a leaflet from the police asking me to tell them "how did we do".

First of all, the event you are bragging and laughing about where you rendered somebody unconscious was, by your own admission, 60 years ago, so I was not talking about what is happening now as you well know (and I'm not sure how anyone is supposed to guess your age from your posts and speak accordingly). Secondly, if you can barely walk how can you fight? Thirdly, I wasn't even addressing you. Lastly, I live in a very much rougher area of London than Barnes so I do very much live in the real world; long experience of living in it has taught me that the best thing to do is not to use violence but to remove oneself from the situation whenever possible. You appear to revel in violence and find it amusing – I don't.

I use my age, I tell them "I'm nearly 80 - if you attack me you will be put in prison for 5 years" - that works very well.

Or, even if you have done nothing wrong say you are sorry and make a humbling apology - in other words, give the aggressive thugs the feeling that he or she has conquered you and won the battle.

Or, if it is not a physical attack, say or do nothing - let them have their aggressive rant - that works very well.

Uh-oh, hope I didn't start an argument... When I said,

Allen Key wrote:

have you any tricks when someone gets out and tries to attack you?

if the reply had been, "yeah - run like hell!" I would have grinned Let's be honest though, in quite a few of these clips, people have banged on roofs, shouted offensive stuff, pulled on wing mirrors...
Maybe the 'trick' is to avoid antagonizing people in the first place?

Anyway, sorry if I implied fighting was my goal, I only meant in last resort self-defense to enable an escape, "Kick 'em in the ghoulies"

So long as you don't actually get out of the car.

and its towards a cyclist 

What was the caution, "Careful, you may scratch your vehicle" ?

I couldn't agree more. 

Nigel Garrage wrote:

That's outrageous behaviour by both the driver and more importantly by Wiltshire police. Being attacked in this way simply for riding a bike has to be more serious than simply receiving a caution.

This is welcome and rare show of common sense from you, although I'm sure I'm not alone in awaiting the "but". I've largely stopped engaging with you directly, as your views are no longer funny or even edgy.

However, I'll use this opportunity to suggest that you think a bit harder about how you come across, if not your opinions themselves.

Your foolish defence of the lorry driver the other day, and the condemnation of those reporting him is a case in point, as the attitudes that he presented have a logical conclusion - eg the behaviour illustrated in this article.

Thank Christ this individual was only driving a car and not an lgv

Nigel Garrage wrote:

As for how people think I come across, I couldn't give two hoots.

I don't actually believe that, you care very much. You just aren't aware of the contempt in which you are held.

I'll return to my previous policy of not engaging. Have a great weekend

Nigel Garrage wrote:

That's outrageous behaviour by both the driver and more importantly by Wiltshire police. Being attacked in this way simply for riding a bike has to be more serious than simply receiving a caution.

Hi Nigel I know we have had our differences but this post was apposite, succinct and well said. 

Thank you, have a like and a good week

I'll second that

sensei wrote:

The diffuse tactics will not work with people who have that much anger.

[pedant on] DEFUSE [pedant off]

Otherwise excellent.

eburtthebike wrote:

sensei wrote:

The diffuse tactics will not work with people who have that much anger.

[pedant on] DEFUSE [pedant off]

Otherwise excellent.

I appreciate the correction, I usually don't miss these but well spotted.

sensei wrote:

eburtthebike wrote:

sensei wrote:

The diffuse tactics will not work with people who have that much anger.

[pedant on] DEFUSE [pedant off]

Otherwise excellent.

I appreciate the correction, I usually don't miss these but well spotted.

Not really well spotted; it's one of my favourites.

Well, diffuse means to spread all over the place, considerably weakening. Sounds like it might work to me!

HoarseMann wrote:

Well, diffuse means to spread all over the place, considerably weakening. Sounds like it might work to me!

And a more appropriate metaphor for 

Quote:

let[ting] them blow off steam ... to take the anger out of the situation.

As in, you're letting the energy of their anger dissipate and fade, rather than removing an immediate trigger point that could prompt an explosion.