Did I do the right thing?

[mindsedgeblade]

GojuRyu Shawn, I think you did the right thing. I'm glad you didn't start the fight, but you did finish it. If I've learned nothing else from MA, that is one lesson I'll always keep. I haven't had to use my knowledge of MA, but it would have been nice when I was younger. Hopefully your bully will think twice before going after anyone else. Just don't let it go to your head- you still have to watch out for yourself- you're not invincible.

[AdmiralX]

Today, in my view, martial artists have too many rules. What is an attack? Is it putting your shirt over your head in front of an entire school? Or calling you names? Is it the shove? Or the "push"? Then how do you tell the difference? In the old ways, the push was mental, and once it came, there was no restraint. The old west says; draw guns. The old days in Japan says; draw swords. Stereo-typical old days in the US says; fist fight after school to earn your respect back. But now people have guns, or knives, and having been attacked with a knife and defended myself (without harming the other person) I realize the unfairness of the law. To have to think about what is necessary force? What if I "accidentally" break an elbow or wrist? Or I gouge the eyes, then toss him to the ground and leave? Everyone has different views. What is excessive? If a person attacks, the old grandmasters would argue that to "think" about rules and what is "excessive" or "enough" is weakness that would get you killed. Since your kick put the bully down, you left, life goes on. Just don't make the mistake to stand there and let him get up once he re-gathers himself, and don't turn your back on him (maybe he is unstable and tries a knife another time? Or a gun?). If you make it out alive, great, but these days, you never know if anyone has a knife, or multiple friends. Just my thoughts on this.

[dtstiachi]

Standing up to the bully was the right thing to do. Maybe he will think twice before he messes with someone again.