Quote: (11-10-2015 02:44 PM)Wutang Wrote:
Quote: (11-10-2015 07:49 AM)Kieran Wrote:
I've always believed that the amount of time that needs to be invested to become good enough for self defence purposes compared with the amount of occasions that it will actually be required makes it foolish to train for that reason. I've had my fair share of street fights, but looking back nearly all could have been avoided. Being friendly and confident and having good social skills is far better (and not hanging around with idiots that attract trouble), and there's not much training that can prepare you to deal with 4-5 attackers all prepared to smash a glass in your face anyway.
Same. If someone's first priority for learning a martial art is self-defense rather then fitness or the pleasure of mastering a new skill I would suggest they get a weapon of some sort instead.
In your case, the only acceptable weapon would be a pistol or some other form of small firearm. Even then, there are chances that if they only purchase a weapon and then do not take the time to garnish any sort of training with it, they just wasted money buying something dangerous that could be used against them.
Just for the sake of mentioning it, owning a weapon is only providing another and very dire reason for the person threatening you to draw his own weapon as well. While there is no honor in a bar fight, a person generally won't pull out a weapon unless they are planning to kill you.
As far as the training goes. I train in combat arts because 2 reasons, the love of sparring/competing to win and to know that if I ever need to use my strength to protect myself or someone I am with that I can do at least do something. I've yet to be in a bar/street fight but that's more to be attributed to my demeanor towards someone who may be wanting to cause trouble. I've had several occasions where people start to get rowdy and then expect me to back off so that they can continue pushing and feel big. When I acknowledge their childlike behavior and show them I'm willing to engage them in their playtime if that is really what they want. They always either back down or try to befriend me immediately.