Now, it might not help an entrenched bullying situation, which usually requires the low-key, matter-of-fact intervention of a sibling, a friend, or an on-the-ball teacher or school official.
And as far as preferring a draw? Well, you can probably figure out that part. It's better not to publicly embarrass someone you're likely to see again, and I wish this was understood much more in international relations.
And even in college. When I moved into a large college dorm in 1982, I was surprised at how much physical intimidation there was. It was worse in high school, but not as bad as junior high. Maybe military barracks might also have this aspect. It was damn unfortunate in any case.
And you also want to get a little good at verbally defending someone else not present who is being over criticized. Maybe just saying something like, 'Well, we all have our quirks.' It's often far easier to defend someone else in matter-of-fact fashion, plus it gives you a kind of street cred. Walking with dorm mates down to the cafeteria, or walking with dorm mates to a store, seems to be soft beginnings of friendships. More so than classes or student organizations. Of course, your mileage may vary, and you may have great beginnings of friendship in student organizations.
Back to boxing . . . I have learned far more in sports in general from individual lessons than from group lessons.
And please don't take a bunch of blows to the head during training, even with head gear. All that stuff about cumulative lesser blows in the NFL is largely true, I wish it wasn't. You mainly want to practice blocks and punches. And if an instructor is not hip to the safety aspects, either perhaps play the autism spectrum card or get another instructor.
17 Jun 2015, 11:32 am
