[gkckak]

Im similar to ozark dave. If something keeps happening Im good at concealing it but to a certain point and explode. Never happened to me at school but has happened with my brother. He would keep trying to act tough and so one day I punched him in the face he attacked me and my parents came over and pulled him off me. They didnt yell at me though.

Then with highwayrider I used to go looking for fights in middleschool and completely stopped after one day at a dance when I bumped into a short black kid he called me a bi*** and I came back with a dude cool it and he got 7 of his friends to take me in the corner of the room and punch me in the stomach. What was even worse was my friends for a couple of years didn't back me up. Thats a lesson learned also

[tjwilhelm]

Originally Posted by Bladed

Shoulda just wiped it on his face....

WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

This feedback is not meant to offend anyone else reading this...regrets and apologies if it does...

I've been taught that one of the differences between a "boy" and a "man" is that a "boy" will REACT to provocation, whereas a "man" will RESPOND.

I absolutely agree that you needed to stand up for yourself in this situation. I also agree with several comments, above, that three blasts to the face was probably excessive. One well-placed and well-executed "counter-attack" should have been sufficient.

You asked the question, "Did I over react?" Let me turn it around with a different question back to you..."Did you REACT or RESPOND?"

Typically, the ability of RESPOND in not natural and innate...it usually needs to be learned via training, practice, observation, and self-analysis. This is one of the values of martial arts training...it helps you keep your cool...it trains you to RESPOND with an appropriate level of force...it teaches you HOW to respond with efficient effectiveness.

Celticwarrior's story, above, is a good example of RESPOND vs. REACT...but then, we already knew that he was -- deep inside -- a wise old man by the time he was 10 years old!

All in all, though, young man...it's really good that you stood up for yourself. This is step one toward learning how to RESPOND to situations like this. The kids who cower and allow themselves to be abused are in for a world of hurt later on in their adult life.

[kevin]

back in highschool a kid gave me a little condescending tap on the face (open hand, like a slap, but only a little demeaning tap). I let it go, and forever regretted not popping him in the face, or at least giving him a left hook "slap". can't blame you. if you did nothing, then you'd have regrets.

[Bowman1911]

I fight with scum for a living. You did NOT overreact, if anything you under-reacted. You should have hit him at least 5-6 more times about the face. I can take any of that "your momma this or that" but there's 2 things I won't tolerate. Threats to kill my family, or spit. I can handle all the feces, urine, or whatever you sling at me, but you spit on me & I will make you regret it. In the 8 years I've been at the mental institution, I've been spit on once, & only once. Anyways, back to you story, dealing with the criminally insane, I've noticed one thing, some situations require a vulgar display of power. Sometimes you just have to make sure the other guy knows without a shadow of a doubt if he comes back wantin' a chunk, you'll give him the whole thing.

[elpidi0526]

Originally Posted by areth

...So, I just wiped my hand off on the table, stood up, and punched him in the face. Three times. Then the teacher stopped me and sent the kid to go get paper towels to clean up the phlegm. I didn't get in trouble. Still, though, thinking back on it, I do think I overreacted a bit (I just got really mad and didn't really think about it when I did it.)

So... did I overreact?

Of course you overreacted. No one should have to throw that many punches...you're just wasting energy. If you have to throw three punches, then you're just doing it wrong. Next time, try a hammer. Should only require one blow. Wait, am I overreacting?

[sypher96792]

i don't think you overreacted.....not at all.....i don't advocate violence either....unfortunately sometimes it makes you feel better but none the less like Mr.Miyagi said "fighting no good but if must fight WIN!!"...you did alright

[Slade N. Illinois]

Originally Posted by sypher96792

i don't think you overreacted.....not at all.....i don't advocate violence either....unfortunately sometimes it makes you feel better but none the less like Mr.Miyagi said "fighting no good but if must fight WIN!!"...you did alright

Well, I do advocate violence! And I would have done a lot worse if someone spit on me. SO he got off easy and he should feel lucky!

[Solar Geek]

Originally Posted by elpidi0526

Of course you overreacted. No one should have to throw that many punches...you're just wasting energy. If you have to throw three punches, then you're just doing it wrong. Next time, try a hammer. Should only require one blow. Wait, am I overreacting?

Love this response! How do you know he doesn't have AIDS or some other communicable disease? SG

[Pat/Rick]

Never apologize for standing up for yourself. Ever. Don't worry about punching out one so willing to literally spit on his fellow man. Some educations don't require tuition.

[areth]

Originally Posted by Solar Geek

How do you know he doesn't have AIDS or some other communicable disease? SG

Well... we're the same age, for one, and I'm fourteen, so I don't think he has AIDS... well... I hope.