I've had a situation only once where I felt truly threatened, and averted it by acting assertively. Never had to throw a punch.
I was travelling interstate, as I was doing a lot at the time, so rather than eat in restaurants, I was self-catering. I was walking back from the supermarket, fully laden, and my unit was down a dark alley. I suddenly noticed that as I turned into my street, two men moved in a pincer-like action around me. I accelerated, and got to the alcove that surrounded my doorway. I tried to get the key into the lock, but could not, and they were closing in. I had a little "cave" to protect my back, so I just dropped my grocery bags, and turned to face them in kamae - they were less than 10 metres away by this point.
Seing me standing ready, they looked at one another, and melted into the shadows.
I moved apartments the next morning.
Perhaps this illustrates why the women on the board have not had stories of street fighting to exchange. I think that thugs who pick on men are doing it because they want a fight, so if you stand ready, they think "bring it on".
I think that people who go to attack women are looking for an easy target. Stand ready, and they are perhaps more likely to back down.
Truly, they were small weasely men....and I am not lightly built! I think I scared them!!!!!
