In your face

[Spartacus Maximus]

Physical situations are often preceded by a verbal attack and an invasion of personal space. Usually a loud outburst with profanity or threatening words or both. Most of the time the “attacker” moves aggressively towards the other person or gets uncomfortably close.

What are your strategies for dealing with someone who is “in your face”? Why and how have you succeeded/failed to prevent the situation from turning physical?

[singularity6]

This strategy seems to work best with adults:

Calmness!

The few times I've been in such a situation as an adult were diffused by me being calm. Don't acknowledge the foul language, or insults. In a normal voice, without finger-pointing, address whichever issue is at hand. Things seem to deescalate quickly once you show that you're not interested in responding to aggression with aggression.

[mushybees]

Hands up and out in a none threatening manner. If they come close enough to touch your hand AND are displaying aggression that's my line in the sand.

There's no room to dither, it's time to act.

Edit: This depends entirely on the laws where you live. In the UK, if you honestly believe in that moment that you're about to be attacked you are justified in taking pre-emptive proportionate action.

In martial arts parlance, you don't have to wait to become the defender.