London yoofs

Sporky · March 7

I reckon you just were, but weren't familiar with the current fashion for such.

fastonebaz · March 7

I must remember to carry a briefcase next time I'm on a train and with a quick case swing chop to the neck, i can make my escape.

darthed1981 · March 7

fastonebaz said:

I must remember to carry a briefcase next time I'm on a train and with a quick case swing chop to the neck, i can make my escape.

Or get a James Bond one.

nero1701 · March 7

Musical_Mystery_Tour said:

Emp_Fab said:

Trust me, there was no misinterpretation of his statement. He saw a grey-haired old man and enjoyed intimidating me. I doubt very much he would have even wanted to sit there if I'd been younger and looked like I could flatten him.

To be perfectly honest, thinking that someone's appearance, or age, means they can't flatten him is almost certainly going to end up being a very big, and possibly the last mistake he'll ever make. But, that doesn't help you to know that, so...

If you are likely to feel like such intimidation might occur regularly, you really ought to consider some self-defence training/martial arts stuff. Having got that myself, I can tell you that knowing you are able to 'handle yourself' tends to make you exude an air of confidence which most of the time means you'll never actually get to the point where you even have to use what you know. People can sense that you know you can take them out if you have to, because you don't give off any signals that you are intimidated when you know you stand a pretty good chance of knocking seven shades of shit out of them.

Now having said that, you are absolutely right to consider the potential for someone having a knife, because they are easily available, can mean unpredictable attacks, and can actually do a lot more damage than a pistol, and that damage can be fatal. The main difficulty in defending against them, is the potential for a large slashing wound to your forearm, which is something that can easily be life-changing regardless of any other slashes or stabs which might follow up such an injury in a repeated attack. Such an injury would certainly end your guitar playing. So in most cases, discretion is probably the better part of valour. and even if you do get threatened with a knife, you are probably best off handing over your wallet or phone; no amount of cash or phone is worth dying for. But if you do have to defend against a knife because you don't have any choice in the matter, a good tactic is an improvised weapon of your own with which you can parry an attack, such as a briefcase, laptptop or similar, then you can deliver your own disabling follow up blow with it (the throat is a good target to aim for). However, it helps if you have had some martial arts or self-defence training if you you have to try that. As I say, handing over your valuables, walking or running away is a better option if you are not fairly certain that any defence you put up is going to work, and there is no shame in doing that when you think about the potential alternative, but it is as well to be aware that making an exit might not be an option, and should that be the case, what would you do?

Now you might not like the idea of going to some karate school and getting chucked about all over the shop, so a good option would be to do some Tai Chi. And by Tai Chi, I don't mean some new age hippy or wannabe ninja dipshit who thinks they know what they are doing and has set up his own crappy classes, I mean at a proper Chinese MA centre, with an instructor who has been doing it for years and knows what it is really about. The reason I'm suggesting Tai Chi, is because it is a very gentle and (initially) entirely non-contact way to learn self defence in the form of what is also some good exercise, so you don't have to worry about getting chucked about and battered by some ten year old lol and it will if nothing else, improve your fitness. There will be somewhere in most towns where you can do it, and it's not expensive, nor do you need to dress up like Bruce Lee, a t shirt, some pumps and tracksuit bottoms is all you need.

A lot of people have a completely incorrect impression of what Tai Chi is: You may have seen people going through their Tai Chi forms, and not really realised the purpose of that; the real purpose of all those moves, and their regular practice, is to turn those movements into smooth muscle memory, because what all those flowing moves actually are, is blocks against attacks perfected in slow motion whilst maintaining good balance so you don't get knocked down, and this to facilitate the opening up of your opponents front, so you can deliver a follow-up strike, which through constantly doing those form routines, becomes something you can instantly recall and use without having to think about it in a stressful situation.

It's not dissimilar to how guitar practice makes playing something which occurs almost on autopilot, without having to think. So although it looks quite balletic when you see someone going through the forms (and indeed it kind of is), what it does, is make you really good at blocking attacks and staying on your feet, so you can then deliver a finishing counter-attack rather than a prolonged brawl, put the person down quickly, and then either restrain them, or if you prefer, run off whilst they are still down.

You might also be interested to know that although lots of people think that inner chi is something which is just 'mystical bullshit', I can tell you from personal experience that it really isn't; it genuinely is something which allows you to 'wind up' and then explode with a really devastating single blow to someone, which is definitely going to put them down for the duration of a fight and quite possibly hospitalise them, allowing you to make an exit. So aside from all the other valuable stuff doing some tai chi offers in terms of health benefits and confidence and the social aspect of getting out and doing it with a regular bunch of people; if you have any interest in the 'mystical' aspect of such things, it's quite an eye-opener which will surprise you. Trust me, not all of that stuff you see in kung fu movies is bullshit.

Give it a go; I bet you'll like it.

Or @Emp_Fab just start reading this to him, guaranteed the yoof will either fall asleep halfway through or loose the will to live..

Axe_meister · March 7

All I can say is welcome to UK inner city living. A place were there is a massive difference between rich and poor.
Teenagers who can't afford to get their kicks away from the street, no positive role models. I.e. stressed out teachers, not given the time or the budgets to guide the kids in a positive direction. Gang cultures that replace, parenting cos the parents are having to work two or three jobs just to keep their head above water, or have just given up.
Extreme povety and extreme wealth, breed the same type of Dickheads. If you had gotton on the train at Eton, you'd get the same type of arsehole in dapper suit. Just if they got arrested daddy would get them out.

Kurtis · March 7

WezV said:

Emp_Fab said:

robgilmo said:

LionAquaLooper said:

Emp_Fab said:

A couple of you are missing the point somewhat. It wasn't about the kids play-fighting or being boisterous or noisy on the train. That was just context. It was the 'alpha' male that challenged me with his facial expression and his body language. It was clear he, at 15 or whatever he was, felt he deserved my respect and that I should move out of his way.

Sorry but this bit is definitely nothing new lol. Especially here in Europe and the US. This problem you had isn't localised to London either. You're not in Asia where it's ingrained in kids to respect elders without question (and they actually do). This incident of intimidation could've very easily happened to you at your local pub, supermarket or bus stop and you know it.

Or, maybe the kid wanted to sit down and thought, whats this old guyt doing taking up two seats? Everyone 'deserves' everyones respect regardless.

No. Hell no.

Everyone should show courtesy to others. Respect is earned.

Then show curtesy by not taking 2 seats in a wide legged "alpha male" stance.

He was only one inch over.

LionAquaLooper · March 7

Emp_Fab said:

Oh here we go..... How did I "assume they should respect me right off the bat" ? What part of my story had you come to that conclusion?

If I have to explain then don't worry about it. The statement "respect is earned" is massive because it goes both ways doesn't it. I think what you meant to write is "MY respect is earned".

All you need to do is look back at that night and when you started this thread and check whether you showed them respect that you expected from them. If your conscience is clear then good for you.

Here's a hint of one instance I can see right off the bat though. Automatically assuming they were carrying knives and bringing their hairstyles into this like it's relevant to the story isn't respectful either. Your version is actually packed with negative assumptions and stereotypes. Just saying. And I'm not one of these London "yoofs" as you creatively referred to them as so I've no reason to defend them because you're right - they did act like louts. But you're not exactly being respectful either

mudslide73 · March 7

We all know that people are the same whereever you go
There is good and bad in ev'ryone
We learn to live, when we learn to give
Each other what we need to survive, together alive!

Offset · March 7

WezV said:

Then show curtesy by not taking 2 seats in a wide legged "alpha male" stance.

...with your stringy bollocks hanging down to your knees.

WezV · March 7

Yes, he was only one inch over, but that may stop someone feeling comfortable to take the seat next to him.

They were only having fun, but that still made Emp feel uncomfortable.

Crime is a real problem, so I do understand it isn't clear cut. We all need to take responsibility for our own safety and Emp is within his rights to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

I wonder what this group felt like when faced with another group who were clearly uncomfortable with their presence. Emp tells us he was sizing them up to see if he could take them. I wonder if this was perceived in some way by the group. Is this something they constantly face from similar groups? There will likely be some bias on both sides here, conscious or not.

Kurtis · March 7

It may, but it's very unlikely.

As far as I can see no crime was committed.

Kurtis · March 7

Another thing is trains/train stations are covered in cctv.

Lestratcaster · March 7

I overheard someone talking about gobby kids on his estate giving him jip when he was out walking his dog. He challenged one of them and smacked him in the mouth, as they had no weapons he legged it, as he didn't know what to do as he couldn't fight. I'd rather have a fist-fight with someone than with a weapon, but these days you don't know what they're carrying (if they are carrying anything).

Petepassion · March 7

I don't know much about Tai chi, but I agree with what Musical mystery tour is saying about a level of confidence can help to keep you out of trouble. It doesn't turn you into a well rounded street fighter and no guarantees you will never be attacked or intimidated, but it does reduce the likelihood, helps keep you in shape and is also a social network, so for me, that in itself is great.
We could go down the path of hard determinism and say nobody is to blame, which partly I believe. We are a product of our genetic pre-disposition and environment...that being how we are raised, under what conditions and those we meet in life.
The 'arseholes' we meet in life all have a story, a reason, but that doesn't mean their behaviour is acceptable, and the closer and more personal it is to us, then the more we will be affected...but that's a rabbit hole.
On the child raising front, personally I believe show your child plenty of love, praise them greatly when deserved and be their inspiration.
The other reason I believe these things happen is because we are now a fragmented society, we rarely stand together, so the individual can intimidate a group of people even though they could easily overpower the individual, because they see themselves as individuals and not a collective. There is actually a name for this syndrome, but can't remember what it's called.
My partner moved over here 35 years ago, she came from a village in Bangladesh, a place where any troublemakers would be confronted by the village, they had a sense of belonging and social responsibility.
She's very petite, but too often outspoken should she witness antisocial behaviour and this does worry me.

munckee · March 7

I agree with the looking like you know what you're doing and won't back down works. That's why I've had "psycho" tattood on my forehead and my teeth sharpened into points and the whites of my eyes dyed black. If I see anyone looking for trouble I always think "what would Jack Reacher do?" and that's what I do.

Usually involves me killing them getting arrested and then helping the police solve their cases before being let go by the cops with no mention of the previous murder.

Sporky · March 7

I just explode the air with my thoughts. Then the potential miscreants can't breathe.

bertie · March 7

Petepassion said:

I don't know much about Tai chi,

Biology ? Science ? French ?

Petepassion · March 7

bertie said:

Petepassion said:

I don't know much about Tai chi,

Biology ? Science ? French ?

Damn, what song is that?

bertie · March 7

Petepassion said:

bertie said:

Petepassion said:

I don't know much about Tai chi,

Biology ? Science ? French ?

Damn, what song is that?

Offset · March 7

Petepassion said:

bertie said:

Petepassion said:

I don't know much about Tai chi,

Biology ? Science ? French ?

Damn, what song is that?

I think it's by Thomas Dolby.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

London yoofs

Comments