# Poll: Can you defend yourself? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 13, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804 "2011-05-13T17:49:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/21 "2011-05-13T20:45:17Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > I’m not sure I can defend myself without using disproportionate force. If I were assaulted even trivially, I’m afraid I might kill the person assaulting me or at least hurt them badly. To be specific, I’m thinking about a situation like [when Don Zimmer took a swing at Pedro Martinez](http://everyjoe.com/sports/revisiting-the-pedro-martinez-don-zimmer-smackdown-379/). Pedro dumped Zimmer on the ground, but came out on the bad side of things in most people’s view because he “didn’t have to be so rough” with such an old man. I can defend myself, but proportionate response is probably beyond my capabilities. I don’t know if ‘disproportionate response’ would be an issue. We’re not talking the wide world of sports here. We’re talking about walking in the Wal Mart parking lot and some guy approaches you with ill intent. I think being ready, willing and able to swing a shopping cart around and bashing his gob in with it is an appropriate self-defence response. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/22 "2011-05-13T20:47:38Z")
Nobody is invincible. It depends on who it is, and what the circumstances are. A home invasion? I have access to firearms. A robbery? No defense is necessary - take the damn wallet and go to hell. If you want to hurt me, I could probably hold my own until you lose interest, and it is not going to be any walk in the park for you. A threat to my wife or children? I’m not afraid to die, as long as you die with me. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/23 "2011-05-13T21:11:30Z")
I’m really bad with a handgun, but if I’ve time to get to it, I can put them all in a chest size target across a room. Otherwise, I can run fast. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/24 "2011-05-13T21:20:19Z")
I’m on the same page as **Oakminster** – if someone attacked me or someone I cared about, and I was left standing, I’d probably be beaten badly, but I have a very high tolerance for cruelty and would do my utmost to break into the assailant’s teeth with a rock or start beating a temple. Never happened – the only place I’ve been mugged (twice) was in Paris, France, and I discouraged one dude with a knife by threatening to fight, and a couple of punks emptied a can of mace in an eye at 1" distance for about ten solid seconds. I think they did that because they were pissed I wouldn’t give them shit, and they were teenagers who probably didn’t want to get deported or have their pockets searched by les flics for reefer. Nobody messes with me, even in dodgy neighborhoods in the states, I think because I’m a big guy (not obese, but tall and imposing) and give off a “Don’t fuck with me” vibe pretty much constantly. Honestly, I would love it if some pussy driving his car through my right-of-way at a pedestrian crossing whom I flipped off would start a fight. Probably end badly for both of us, but I’d fucking love it. Lot of anger in that there swing. ETA I do carry a rock in my pocket when I’m out for my daily walk. I’m out walking for hours and lots of people do some strange shit. Glad to have it, although it’s not much of a weapon. I’m too poor to buy a sidearm, and I’m not sure I’m responsible enough to carry concealed at _all_ times, and with my luck, I’d probably not have it if I needed it. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/25 "2011-05-13T21:21:53Z")
Probably not, never really been in any situation where it seemed like it would be necessary. ETA: If they trow kittens at me, I will be totally helpless. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/26 "2011-05-13T21:28:00Z")
I probably could. I mean, I’ve never been in a fistfight before, but I’m big, heavy and naturally strong; I could probably just slam into him until I can pull him to the ground and then just sit on him until he yields. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/27 "2011-05-13T22:03:23Z")
No. I am 65, with much less physical strength than I used to have . . . not that I had much. I’d try to talk the person out of attacking me, and if that failed I’d do my best. The only time I worry about this is when I’m traveling alone. I know that people see a middle-aged/elderly person traveling alone and draw certain conclusions, some of which are true. I try to stay out of questionable neighborhoods and usually don’t stay out after dark . . . but the only time I’ve had my wallet stolen was in broad daylight in a major airport. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/28 "2011-05-13T22:10:30Z")
I weight less than the majority of the adult population, so I’m not too confident in my self-defense abilites. I’m stronger and meaner than I look, however, and I know how to fight dirty. And thank god people don’t mess with me much. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/29 "2011-05-13T23:08:44Z")
> [@Winston\_Smith](#): > > Hell no. I’m a lover, not a fighter. So am I. But I can still fight so don’t get any funny ideas.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/30 "2011-05-13T23:17:59Z")
> [@Winston\_Smith](#): > > If attacked (and for the sake of argument let’s rule out a personal nuclear attack against you), can you defend yourself? How? Karate? Boxing? Mace? A gun? Do you have any sort of training? Yes, I can defend myself, and have, a number of times. But I’m more offensive than defensive. If someone confronts me, I tend to go a little too far overboard. Last year, in a similar thread asking if dopers could kill someone, I mentioned an altercation where I hurt someone pretty seriously, quite unnecessarily, and for which I felt horrible afterward. I’ve never used a weapon when I’ve fought, which is a good thing. My dad, who was a military instructor, gave me hand-to-hand combat training which, I admit, I loved. My dad used to say “The most lethal weapons you have, boy, are confidence and your ability to anticipate your opponent’s next move,” which he was right about, and “You’ll never really learn how to beat a man until you’ve been beat,” usually followed by an unanticipated behind-the-knee trip, an open-hand slap, or a short punch to my solar plexus, pulled just enough to drop me to my knees. Yeah, kind of jerky, but it worked. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had a physical confrontation with someone, and I’m hopeful I will never again, because I simply don’t have the ability to walk away if I’m challenged, and that’s not a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/31 "2011-05-13T23:24:22Z")
You talking to ME?!?! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/32 "2011-05-13T23:43:09Z")
I know key-fu, which my friend Bubba taught me years ago. It’s indefensible, and we’re the only two practitioners on the planet. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/33 "2011-05-14T01:09:06Z")
I have not been in that situation as an adult, but if push came to shove, I would grab the nearest banjo and distract the attacker with my picking. mmm ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/34 "2011-05-14T01:53:17Z")
I can manage. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/35 "2011-05-14T06:58:06Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > Probably not, never really been in any situation where it seemed like it would be necessary. > > ETA: If they trow kittens at me, I will be totally helpless. I knew someone who threw a full grown cat at someone who ripped her screen door open and went in after her. After she threw the cat at his head, she then ran up and kicked him in in the balls. Attacker, not cat. Cat was fine, friend was fine, the attacker was badly damaged. From what I understand, the attacker also fell down the stairs several times. Me, I’m like you. Toss kittens at me and I’ll be too busy catching and cuddling to notice what else was happening. To the OP, seeing as how I don’t have a concelled carry cat permit, I just carry a gun. I take self defense classes often and one of the main things I’ve learned is to not put myself in a situation where I need to defend myself. If I actually get attacked, my plan is to blow up like a cherry bomb and then run away really fast. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/36 "2011-05-14T07:40:17Z")
I still can. But I don’t know for how much longer. My knees are in bad shape. They’d take me through a fight now, but my legs are getting weaker from disuse, and I’m facing other health issues as well. I have judo, wrestling, and boxing in my background, so I know how to react to an attack. After that, one of us will be the better fighter. When I was younger, in very good shape, and built like the Hulk, I didn’t face many threats. But any guy who wasn’t worried about my size was pretty damn scary. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/37 "2011-05-14T19:24:08Z")
I have never had any training or experience in hand to hand combat so anyone with either or both could probably take me. On the plus side I’m fairly strong, I’m a stout 5’10" and I can take a blow fairly well and keep my wits about me under duress. I have guns and knives out the wazoo but I never trained for combat with those either. I’m a good shot with a handgun but I fear I would hesitate too long if I needed to actually defend myself with a gun. Plus I don’t usually have one handy. I’m licensed to carry but almost never do so. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/38 "2011-05-14T20:19:22Z")
I am a small woman who has traveled to some dangerous spots, and not on the first class plan, either. I am quite confident I could protect myself, but that comes from the conviction that my best defensive weapon is my brain. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/39 "2011-05-14T21:03:53Z")
I’m confident in my abilities to defend myself both armed and unarmed. I’ve had enough combat training to hone my natural inclinations into nasty, effective attacks. I’m not huge or even large, but I know how to use my weight and I’m not afraid to rip chunks out of you with my teeth if necessary. My philosophy is to assume that anyone willing to engage in combat with me is trying to kill me, and I respond with the maximum amount of force I can muster. I don’t play fight or spar for points. I’m a decent shot, and having served in the military, I’m not leery of discharging a firearm at a person if the need arises. I"m fair to middling with other combat weapons but crap at knife fighting. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804/40 "2011-05-14T21:59:57Z")
I can and I have… but I prefer to avoid situations where the use of such skills are necessary. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-can-you-defend-yourself/581804.md?page=3)