5 Tips For Dealing With Bullies

For those who have been reading these entries, it's well-known that this writer has a hatred for bullies.  It's also known that this writer believes that while there are many solutions, nothing works quite as well as a big, meaty fist to the face.  Some of you may be fighters, some of you may not be.  No matter what type of person you are, these are some essentials to dealing with bullies.

1.  Don't Let Them See You Cry

To clarify, this doesn't mean not to cry.  Just don't let them see it.  A bully's whole goal is to see you hurting.  Seeing you cry will make his or her day and encourage them to continue.  In a classroom setting, this can encourage other people to pile on and suddenly you have more than one bully to deal with.  Obviously, this is not what you want.  Save the tears until you get home, to some secluded place, or around people who genuine care about you.  You don't want to risk realizing that no one cares about your pain by crying in public.

2.  Get A Hobby

Everyone needs an escape.  Yes, eventually you'll have to deal with the bully, but you don't want to be thinking about him or her from school, work, or church (yes, church).  You have a life.  Live it and forget about the bully until you're ready to deal with them.  And when this writer says forget about them, he means FORGET.  Their already taking up too much of your physical space.  Don't let them take up any of your mental space.

3.  Get Some Courage

Bullies are devils who feast on fear.  Give yourself a dose of vitamin C (or courage) and they will starve.  A confrontation doesn't have to result in a fight.  A simple warning will do.  Don't come with an emotional fire.  Be dispassionate and use a cold delivery.  This will discourage future attacks because you'll give the illusion of unpredictability.

4.  Reverse The Hurt

If the bully simply won't stop, try bullying them.  You're attacks should be swift, cold, and without warning or mercy.  Keep in mind that you're not trying to enjoy this, because you risk morphing into a bully yourself.  Instead, the goal is to make them realize that it don't feel good to be picked on every day.  Match them blow for blow and eventually they'll want to negotiate and/or give up.  Remember to be cold, because you don't want to become what you're fighting against.

5.  Have At Least Two Real Friends

Numbers can dissuade a fight.  If you have the charisma, win over two real friends (emphasis on the word 'real') who you can trust.  The bully isn't going to want to risk taking a three-on-one ass-whuppin' just to get at you.  However, DO NOT provoke a fight just because you have friends, because (just like tip 4) you risk becoming a bully yourself.  The goal is to defend yourself, not be a two-bit gangster.

So there you have it.  Five tips to deal with bullies without fighting.  Using intellect and keeping your emotions in check is always preferable to swinging fists.  But if intellect fails, you do still have your fists.

Until next time...