Thank you Mr. Holman.
I started training in martial arts in about 1977, when surfing. I was always getting confronted by some sort of idiot. I remember one guy trying to pick on Mike Crouteau, a shaper that was about 6'5" and 275 pounds, about 90% of it muscle. I figured if some idiot who weighed 150 pounds would try and pick a fight with him, they would fight with me.
This was further reinforced when I watched a punk at Pleasure Point take off in
front of former WWF World Wrestling Champion Don Morrocco, and then turn around and verbally abuse him.
Edicate is the guy behind is the better surfer, and, it was true in this case. Mr. Morrocco was well over 6'4" and 330-340. He threw a stage punch at the guy, about 1/4" from his nose, and, the guy peeed his pants, and started yelling for help. When I stopped laughing, I realized I'd made the right choice in studying martial arts. The guys name was Troy and he maybe weighed 150 pounds, soaking wet.
My skills later saved my butt in Hawaii about 4 times, and, the issue posted above occured in a bowling Alley, Mel's, in Alemeda, in 1994-5. Three guys picked on me, because they though I was friends with the jerk that ran the bowling alley. I was in a bathroom, still in training, and, about 175 pounds. They all were over 230-240, and, I figured I actually had an advantage, since they didn't know who I was, and, because of my training, I reacted differently then they expected. As hogdogs has pointed out, in a confined space, when you are attacked at close range, by changing heights, you can strike very hard, and, be a very difficult target, and, anything you hit is going to be bad guy. I remember thinking of all the training I did, and, thinking this might be a bit of fun.
I was worried about the guy behind me having a gun, but, they all seemed to differ to one guy, since he had the gun. When he pulled it, all the rules changed.
Keep in mind, the only way you are going to know someones' intentions is by their actions, and, when most bad guys point a gun at you, the possibility of being shot is much better then the above dreamers would like to think. Police, with vests, cover and tactics are a more difficult target then the average person, and, their perspective is pretty much worthless for a civilian. Their perspective is altered by the many times, thanks to uniform, vest, gun, and backup, they may have survived having guns pointed at them.
One thing I have learned is that fear slows you down. I've spent many years training, and, this comes through loud and clear. To free your body and mind, you have to be willing to pay the ultimate price.
I face kids in the school I teach in now that are gangbangers, and, some are very large. We do not have metal detectors, and, one of these days, I'm afraid I'm going to find myself trying to defend, or break up a fight with deadly force involved. I have a vest, but, it's not suitable for daily wear. I can't get a CCW in my city, or, really haven't tried.
Maybe it's time...