Turning the other cheek.....

[Master Yoda]

Many times in my life when I was met with aggression I returned kindness in a calm way. Note... that is not always the case but I wish it was.

A recent occurrence was Northbridge where I looked at an individual and recieved a....

'What the f@ck you looking at c#@t!!!!!'

My response was ....

'I beg your pardon.... I didn't mean to stare...my bad'...

And I said it with a smile and no without judgment.

This person did not know what to do and went silent. When I bumped into this person later I was greeted with a friendly but a tiny bit of a nervous hello and a smile. We stopped for idle chat and moved on.

I believe that when someone pushes and I don't push back they cannot carry on fighting.


Has anyone else has these experiences?

 

[homer]

If everyone is like you Yoda, there be no war and peace on earth. WW I and II wouldn't have existed. Your a fire extinguisher.

I normally ignore rude people, gave them no eye contact, gave them no acknowledgements. Because chicken little told me to do it.

 

[Dez]

Agro breeds agro. Northbridge itself over the past decade has become a rather volatile place among many others. I tend to avoid places like this because that many amped up people make me nervous. I got shoved to the ground in Northbridge, random stranger came up to me and a mixed group of my my friends and partner whom I was standing with and asked me to bum a smoke- younger and still friendly and unaffected I was opening my packet to hand him one and his agro girl shoved me from behind and accused me of hitting on her man! WTF!

In general- people can stay the hell away from me until they have built some trust. I'm not some princess, I've run in some rough circles growing up, but I'm over it.

 

[Miss Chloe]

Yes this seems to be the case everywhere. People turn to violence so quickly. A simple 'oh, sorry!' Seems to prevent much of it escalating. Your experience seems to have had a good effect. If only we were all as diplomatic as you Yoda!

 

[Lingham]

A gentle word turns away wrath. Proverbs 15:1

 

[homer]

Does it turn cheek?

 

[asianguy77]

That's why road rage is so common.

However, turning the other cheek....letting things slide does not always work. There are always people out there who would do anything to try and start a fight....

 

[Xtraman]

Yes Yoda
has happened to me but it didn't end that well
I politely said sorry wasn't looking at you, was looking at girls behind you and tried to laugh it off.
but he attacked me and fortunately a friend behind me stepped in who happened to have arms as big as my legs picked him up by the throat and said bad idea
the night ended ok

 

[wr3xr]

I'm 6'6 and 117kgs. No one has ever even said boo to me let alone start a fight. Walking through pubs and clubs is also no issues! People get out of your way and im harmless lol.

But if someone did, they be told to fuck off but i certainly wouldnt throw the first punch. Guys and girls like that must realise there actions have consequences. Same as bullying.

 

[Lucy Lake]

Yoda you have a good attitude to life. I think it is the peace within that others have a problem with and will have a go at. I also get this type of confrontation from time to time. My approach is plead ignorance because usually I am just staring off into space or thinking about a sexy guy!!!!!!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

You have all offered kind words that are heart felt. Thank you. However I am far from perfect and most certainly not in this mind space all the time. Sometimes I slip and allow anger to slip in.

I used to fight tooth and nail to be right every single time. But often the cost of doing so far outweighed the payoff. Choosing to be kind rather being right is something I have not mastered yet. But being willing to learn that has brought me great rewards so far.

 

[Rochelle]

Love your attitude, Yoda but unfortunaltely I believe that if somebody really wants to pick a fight this somebody will pick it regardless how you might react.
However if we all would try to keep anger under control it would be a far better world.

And in this context: guess you guys did hear about the busker and the group attack of teenaged boys.........that is scary. It seems to become more and more comman that young teenager 'hunt' in packs. Honestly I am on high alert when I pass a group of teens nowadays.

 

[Master Yoda]

Love your attitude, Yoda but unfortunaltely I believe that if somebody really wants to pick a fight this somebody will pick it regardless how you might react.
However if we all would try to keep anger under control it would be a far better world.

And in this context: guess you guys did hear about the busker and the group attack of teenaged boys.........that is scary. It seems to become more and more comman that young teenager 'hunt' in packs. Honestly I am on high alert when I pass a group of teens nowadays.

You are right there are times when that sort of interaction can avoided. When I faced these I committed 100%. They usually back down. It is not my preferred way.

 

[homer]

Teen these days got nothing better to do. Intimidation is a show of weakness.

I had an experience couple of months ago, this lady in her high 40's yelling abuse to anyone who walked pass. My friend and I were getting some lunch. As we walked pass, she started yelling abuse at us. I just ignored her, given she was YUI and seemed harmless. But she did raised her fists at us, as if she was gonna take on two guys who are taller than her. My friend had some martial arts training and was willing to entertain her. I held him back and told him it's not worth the time.

 

[Rochelle]

When it comes to teens running wild I wonder sometimes what the parents are up to. Remember the case down in Mandurah? Group of teens knocked on a few doors late in the evening and assaulted the people living there. They were all under 18. Where are the parents?

There is a woman in Freo who is rather aggressive and violent. I watched her once going off at an other lady because she didn't want to give her a cigarette. I really do avoid her when she comes in sight. She is very unpredictable.

I had a confrontation once with a drunk woman. I was working as a duty manager in a pub and refused to serve her more alcohol. Wow.....close call.......I don't know what I would have done if she had hit me.........luckily she thought better of it.

 

[Anastacia]

I wish I would be like you Yoda. But my patience fuses really short... As much as I try to be calm= but when my bank f@k up my requests twice, I got to use F. word third time and everything being done straight away.

 

[Sapphire]

I usually just walk away or ignore someone if they are going to behave like a Nigel. Why waste your breath, life is too short and I have better things to do than rumble with a psycho.

 

[Master Yoda]

Here is another form of turning the other cheek that really steps it up............


How about when a loved one like a parent, child, or a spouse is hurting and cannot be saved until he/she/they get it for themselves. They are going to attack the ones they love the most and are most comfortable with.

Of late a portion of my energy has been exerted being there for a loved one going through a crisis. Its not easy to maintain this, but my motto is....

Keep it coming....I understand....I'm not going nowhere.....


Anyone know what I am talking about?

 

[Blart]

Ohhhh Yes.

I'd love to add more, but the complexity of issues around each situation is different.

All I can say is, there's a reason why they are able to test you. Give them a safe space to do whatever they need to do to blast off what they don't understand yet. Then welcome them back once they are done.

It's not 'your' story.