[lakraboob]

it happend in the hallway of my friends building was going to his house after kendo to probly go play handball after, this guy said shit to me I sorta eggd the fight on, im a person who backs down easy. But still i know where to punch its just when ur nervous u dont know what to do. Well I dont, ima try not going to my friends that late at night. Would be interesting though if i could defend myself through the use of kendo but I dont really like using a weapon in a fight. will just use my fists next time but still the sparing in kendo looks cool. I watched a practice tournament at the kendo club i go to just looked really awesome.

Hi!

Welcome to the forum!

I've read all your posts on this now. Well, if I was you, I'd have not said anything back and booked like heck out of there. NEVER egg on a fight. That makes you part of the problem. ALWAYS avoid idiots that shoot off their mouths. If you get into a fight, that's very bad. What if the police get involved ever? You them may get a rap sheet going thanks to an assault charge. ALWAYS avoid throwing a punch at a person if you can help it. That will make you look like the good guy if you don't fight and the attacker then can't complain about you. Besides, you don't want to end up very dead...

Anyway, yes, it's an excellent idea to avoid going to your friend's house that late at night. I used to live in Baltimore when I was going to University, and we were told never to travel alone at night in the city. People do jump others. You would do well to remember that, too. Also, we were told never to get into confrontations with strangers hanging around on the streets and to always avoid them. Excellent advice, that I hope you'll consider. I don't know what Brooklyn is like, but I know we had all sorts wandering the streets even in the safe parts of Baltimore. Of course, I was right in the middle of it... Not sure what your area is like. It still pays to be careful and ignore and avoid anyone you do not know. Especially, if you are alone.

You say next time you'll use your fists. Well, you shouldn't do that at all. Just leave if you see them. Best to be the good guy. Nobody likes to be near a person who looks for fights. Safety should come first!

Kendo isn't really meant for self defense. Kendo is mainly for helping to develop one's character since today, we can't carry swords for protection. Too dangerous anyhow. Yes, the sparring does look cool. Work hard and you'll eventually be able to do that. In the dojo only, I might add... Your sensei won't like to hear about you using it on the streets to defend yourself.

Also i forgot to add i think the guy was stoned cause it smelled like weed.

That's an even better reason to stay away from him and others like him and NOT fight. What if this druggie brings his druggie buddies along next time and jumps you for hitting him? People high on drugs often can't control themselves. They think they can, but often they really can't. Obviously, his judgement was seriously impaired thanks to being high. So, just stay away from people like that. Don't even talk to them.

Can you get a parent to drive you to your friends house and then pick you up if you want to go? That might make it safer to visit him. I know my parents would have had six cows if my brothers ever did what you did when they were 16. They'd have been really worried on top of that. So, you might consider how your parents would feel about fighting a complete stranger.

And, now that I think about it, maybe you should tell them what happened and be honest and tell them everything and then ask for help about what to do about it. Could you do that? Would that be helpful to you?

Anyway, it's late and I need to go to bed soon. I hope this helps you. Good luck with this, and I hope you stay safe. And I also hope you continue to enjoy kendo!

Kaoru