Exercising a high level of restraint and knowing when to walk away

While young and stupid, I was in any number of bar fights (can't remember what any of them were for though so none were apparently that important) but as I got older, I quickly realized that when the drunks get stupid, I leave. There is NOTHING in a bar (besides my life) worth me having to shoot/kill someone and I take my life and go elsewhere, everybody wins.If I stay and things go south, it's a no win situation however it turns out. I go out to drink/socialize and have a good time. When it stops being fun and I have to watch my back, I go someplace else. Cudos on the restraint but I probably would have left after the chick punched me in the face. That was the sign of things to come. It's a shame some folks don't know how to handle their booze
 
These situations are the best reason to carry pepper spray along with your handgun! obviously your not going to shoot em and getting in a fist fight when you're packing is a bad idea, so why not get them back in a much easier and more painful manor?
 
There is some good advice in this thread. For example, during New Years, it isnt the typical crowd of people. There are some people in there that dont go out or drink on a regular basis. So you have all these people drinking that cant handle it.

That is a good argument to stay away from bars around the holidays and other notable occasions. Just go on regular nights. Its also probably a good point in time when the police can do some increased patrols. They will probably catch all those drinkers driving.
 
Open carry is legal in restaurants that serve alcohol in VA (tihough the wisdom of OC is debateable-), concealed carry is not. No guns in establishments that serve in NM.
 
I guess many people have a misconception about bars and pubs.

Bars aren't really for drinking to get drunk. Any bozo can buy a bottle of booze and stand at their own kitchen counter for that experience.

Bars and pubs are for socializing. Where adults can go and interact with their fellow man while enjoying the relaxing effects of alcohol on their otherwise inhibited personalities.
Click to expand...

i have no misconceptions, just a more realistic view

bars are where intoxicated people congregate and yell to each other
they're good for picking up sleezy women or getting into an easy fight.

sure, that may not be what bars are ideally intended for... unfortunately i have not been able to find the sitcom styled bar you speak of.

if I want to "interact with my fellow man while enjoying the relaxing effects of alcohol on their otherwise inhibited personalities", i'll buy a few bottles and invite some friends over.
i'm selective about who i drink around and complete strangers hold no interest for me.

throw in the fact that we're talking about new years eve... or amateur night as some like to call it... AND the fact that i'm in a college town... and i believe you would come to the same realization
 
bars are where intoxicated people congregate and yell to each other
they're good for picking up sleezy women or getting into an easy fight.
Click to expand...

That's not a bar....that's a "dive": (Noun) a shabby and disreputable establishment (as a bar or nightclub).
 
That's not a bar....that's a "dive": (Noun) a shabby and disreputable establishment (as a bar or nightclub).
Click to expand...

the two terms are mutually inclusive

half dozen of one, 6 of another so to speak
 
One of a few reasons I don't frequent bars as often. One of many reasons I stay home on nights like that. Glad to know everything came out okay!
 
In Michigan one can go to any establishment that makes 50% or more of it's revenue from food. How would you know? Louisiana has something similar (different types of establishment licenses).

I don't go anywhere the pistol isn't allowed so BARS are off limits. Actually, once I began to take martial arts seriously I ceased attending bars. Don't get me wrong, you can pick up hot drunk chicks (who can later claim you raped them; impregnate them; contract something you can't get rid of), meet interesting people who decide to sucker punch you, hit you with a bottle or glass or in an extreme situation roll you with his friends on the curb or shoot you.

Me thinks I can avoid such excitement for now... alcohol IS bad juju.
 
I fell asleep at ~8:30 on New Years Eve and slept like a rock 'til the next morning.

I had enough of bars a long time ago, but if you're going to go, the OP did the right thing. Fight back when your life or limb is in danger.... walk away whenever possible.

Mr. Mellow! :)
 
That's not a bar....that's a "dive": (Noun) a shabby and disreputable establishment (as a bar or nightclub).
Click to expand...
the two terms are mutually inclusive
half dozen of one, 6 of another so to speak
Click to expand...

I know of several pubs and bars that would disagree with your premise. "Dives" they are not...and I am not talking about posh and highfalutin places of imbibery either. I am talking about watering holes for a salt-of-the-earth clientele
 
My New Years was not so good. I was at a bar, like many people out there, and there was a high level of intoxication.

First, a woman punched me with a closed fist for no obvious reason.
Second, about an hour later, a man grabbed my arm with a strong grip and said some threatening words with a scowling face.
Click to expand...

Why stay at that bar after the first altercation? That seems like a clue to leave that establishment.

There are classy places for a meal, drink and dance. Given the poster's previous question about a CCW badge, I'm not trying to be a wise guy but some serious study of the various books on self-defense from a mental strategy - avoidance point of view seems worthwhile or a related course like LFI - 1 or similar. As the NTI teaches: avoidance, disengagement, escape and evade - are operative principles.

The mental aspect is much more important than asking what ammo to use in what gun and how to show your badge after you use the ultimate man stopper.

Sorry to sound preachy.
 
I live by myself,and work pretty much alone.I get off work at 11PM.
If I want to see a human face after work,I do not have many options.
I will concede ,sometimes my local bar is like walking into the Jerry Springer show,and occasionally there is some trouble.
To stay out of bars to avoid trouble is a reasonable choice,but that arguement could be taken to "If I think I need to pack to go someplace,maybe I shouldn't go there".(I support CCW,I think it is good for USA")
There are salt of the earth folks in a bar,too.

I accept the fact that there is a zero tolerance for alchohol and CCW,so if I make the free choice to drink,I must make the free choice to be unarmed.Now,that may be a very valid reason to stay out of bars,but no human contact sucks.
BTW,I am 6'3",280 lbs,and I usually have 2 beers and go home.I had a total of 1 beer and what the bartender poured as 1 (generous) scotch.I consumed them over 45 minutes.The friendly local sheriff stopped in for some business with another customer.I asked him if I could do a breathalyzer before I left.I felt no buzz whatsoever.He said "Sure".I blew a .064.A .04 is impaired and a .08 is a DUI in Co.I locked up my car and walked home,surprised and enlightened.
 
Hello, HiBC-
Thx for sharing your experience with the breathalyzer. I'm kind of surprised a guy your size would blow that high, but a beer and (what sounds like) a double scotch in 45 min. is a fair amount of alcohol in a relatively short time. I'm still a bit surprised it got into your blood that quickly, but if it was after work, maybe an empty stomach figures into the equation?

IIRC, two beers in an hour is about what one might reasonably expect an adult male to metabbolize in an hour, but then again, if you're at alltitude, you can't burn as much as fast. I've noticed that since moving to Santa Fe (7000') that it definitely pays to go slow on anything alcoholic (I'm also 6'3", 250).

Kudos on exercising your good sense.
 
http://www.defense-training.com/quips/2003/19Mar03.html

I'd post the whole thing, but John is going to show up demanding royalties if I don't stop... 8^).

You did well to exercise restraint, yes indeed. Too bad you had to do it, but better to do so than get into a pointless altercation. The possibilities for such situations as you describe to deteriorate badly are so high that I have no trouble avoiding bars any more, my last round was more than 25 years ago. A friend had just graduated from the SF Q course at Bragg, and of course there was a party at one of the local bars.

And a fight.

And an unfortunate individual wound up dying from injuries a few hours later.

That was it for me.

lpl
 
In Ohio you can only defend against "serious" bodily harm...so you need to see a knife or baseball bat before you can draw your CCW. I suppose if you've been beaten half to death it would count...but it's probably best to do what you did. Keep your cool and walk away... :)

Milspec
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top