I just had a street fight...

[thelostdragon]

Damn! It has been about 4 years or so since I last had a real street fight.

Here is the scenario:

I was in the train going home. It was quite empty. One guy sitting in the back of the train, a few people in front and me in the middle reading. I came from training, so I had my training bag with me. At one station three youngsters entered the train and went to the back where the man was sitting. I heard them speaking in Russian and in English. Suddenly, the man walked past me and I noticed he was about 35 years old, darkly skinned with a beard. So I figured he was Muslim. One of the Russians called after him, "Go away, man! You fuckin' Muslim!". I didn't believe my ears. My eyes followed the man walking to the front of the train and sitting down there. I closed my book, packed it into my training bag and moved as if I was getting ready to get out at the next station. By doing so I inconspicuously checked the three guys out. I wouldn't have been able to fight them all three was my first thought.
I felt sorry for the man, went to the front and sat in front of him, saying, "As-Salaamualeikum."
He replied, "Aleikum-As-Salaam."
I asked him in Arabic why they drove him away from back there, by screaming at him etc. Just wanted to know what the whole story was as I didn't pay that much attention before when I was reading.
Before he replied I saw the one guy who screamed that loud get up and come towards us. He might didn't like that I was trying to comfort the man he just successfully discriminated against.
I noticed that the Muslim man didn't 100% understand what I said, but he replied in English. He said, "They're just hooligans. We might have to tell the driver."
"Maybe, yes", I replied.
I asked where he was from and it turns out he's from Tansania. He also said that it was very hard, being a Muslim in Germany. I guess what he meant was rather that it is very hard to look like a Muslim in Germany, because I very rarely face discrimination against me. But his sad face made me feel so sorry for him. I got really angry by the time the Russian guy arrived through the corridor and sat down on one of the four seats on the opposite site of ours. He deliberately didn't take notice of me and talked to the man right away.
"Man, I talk to you. I say, you like Russia?"
I smelled his breath as it was full of alcohol. The older Muslim man kept saying, "Go away! I don't wanna talk to you!"
The Russian guy stood up and as we were sitting, he had the more threatening position. That was when I interfered and stood up myself.
"Leave the man alone.", I said in a calm, but determined way.
The Russian guy just looked at me and then asked, "Do you like Russia?"
I said that I had never been to Russia before, so I couldn't tell. However, he shook his head in disbelief and asked again, louder. I just asked him if he had been to Jordan or any other Arab country before and whether he liked it or not. He started getting really loud, "I'm no Arab. You are Arab. I'm Russian. Russia good or not?"
I had to get out, but couldn't leave the man alone with this aggressive asshole.
I gave up and just said, "Russia is good, Russia is great and wonderful."
He said, "Good!"
"Problem settled then?", I asked.
"Yes, yes!", he said in a slow drunken way.
He was about to turn around in order to walk back to his two friends and I looked at the man and started feeling sorry for him again and it just went through my mind how he was called a fucking Muslim. I got angry again so as the guy was turning around I said, "Now let me ask you a question! Do you like Muslim countries?"
I felt the adrenaline pumping and my hands were shaking. He just turned to me and yelled, "Fuck Muslims and Islam!"
My anger exploded and I beat him with my right fist into his face, followed by a straight kick to his stomach (which kinda hit his balls I think) and when he bended forward from the kick, I gave him a headbutt to his nose. He was starting to get down, but I continued beating him with my fists. I didn't even give him an opportunity to hit back as I was throwing my fists at him very quickly with a dirty kick every now and then. The whole thing must have lasted 10 seconds maximum, but it really felt longer. I noticed the two other guys in the back of the train were already running towards me. I grabbed my bag and the Tansanian guy was already standing at the door. Didn't notice how he got there. We were lucky that the train had arrived at the next station. We jumped out and ran. Oddly, they didn't follow us and stayed in the train. Maybe, because it was the last one for that night.

The Tansanian guy didn't say thank you or anything like that, but he was, judging from his behaviour. He asked if I was ok and I just said yes. We said good-bye. I walked back as I had missed my actual station and he went into the direction of the train. I didn't know how far he had to walk now as this was the last train. On my way home, I called the cops and told them my name was, Müller, a typical German name (as cops here usually process your report slower when they hear you are a foreigner, even though I'm not, but my name is), and I told them that there are three thugs on the last train to Bonn who might get out at the next station trying to find the man or maybe even me. I am still worried about the man. He is walking home and might meet these assholes again.

I was really pissed when I got home. My hand hurts and I noticed that the guy had actually scratched my neck. After I took a shower, though, I have to admit that I feel rather good. I don't know why. Maybe because I kinda helped the man, but I feel that it isn't that really. It's something else which makes me keep thinking about tonight. I'm writing this here, because I feel ashamed to tell it IRL. I don't want people to think of me as a streetfighter who hits people who are already down. Strange, isn't it?

[tom2681]

Good to see I'm not the only short-tempered guy on the board.
When people provoke me, I have a tendency to throw punches as well.

Anybody who says "Fuck [insert your religion here]" needs to be taught a lesson.

[thelostdragon]

So I guess you know that feeling. Adrenaline in the beginning and your mind saying "shall I do it now?". The bad feeling during the fight, like "how am I gonna get out of this?" and the "that was an awesome experience" later even though your hands hurt (and provided you aren't severely injured yourself ).

[romerojpg]

You should have kicked his head in and knocked all his teeth out like I did to 4 drunks the other night for laying hands on me 8) bitches.

[Shingster]

I don't want people to think of me as a streetfighter who hits people who are already down. Strange, isn't it?

Somehow I don't think anyone here's going to think bad of someone who gives some racist twat a good hiding.

You should have kicked his head in and knocked all his teeth out like I did to 4 drunks the other night for laying hands on me Cool bitches.

Wow, that's impressive! You must be as strong as you are thick, romero. :twisted:

[Yi-Long]

Well done, LD! I fucking hate racists and the guy obviously had it coming, so I'm just very glad that you came out of it unharmed.

Kinda dissapointed that you didnt Tony Jaa the guy, like he did in Ong-Bak against the big hairy guy ('Fuck Muiy Thai!!!' *kick*)

Nah seriously, you did well.
The shaking trembling part right before a fight is such a bad feeling, I absolutely hate it everytime I got it, but it does mean that your body is preparing itself for what's coming, meaning you're a little bit sharper and faster and all that (I read tha in a book somewhere), so it's probably a good thing to get a bit of the shakes every now and then.

I just really hope you won't run into them again, or they want revenge on you in a group or something. Try to fetch a ride from someone next week, cause they might be on that same train again... so please just be carefull.

You're having Ramadan now, right? So just wondering... if they did manage to get you bad, and you would have been taken to hospital... would you be allowed those feeding-tubes during daytime?

Seriously man, I'm glad you're OK and I'm glad those punks got what they deserved. So from now on I'll be calling you Ryu, ok!?

[Kurgan]

The shaking trembling part right before a fight is such a bad feeling, I absolutely hate it everytime I got it, but it does mean that your body is preparing itself for what's coming, meaning you're a little bit sharper and faster and all that (I read tha in a book somewhere), so it's probably a good thing to get a bit of the shakes every now and then.

It's the adrenaline going through your veins. It's happened to me before when I've had to deal with unsavoury people in the past and it takes me a little while to calm down afterwards as well. A mate of mine (who's a bouncer) gets the same thing, except to a lesser extent because it happens on a regular basis; once your body gets attuned to it, the adrenaline flows but affects you less visibly (like the shakes).

As for the incident itself, well, I can't say that you took the high road, but then the path you took was the one I probably would've as well, so...
So kudos for coming out of it (relatively) unscathed.

[Markgway]

I hate drunks/racists/thugs who bother innocent people minding their own business. It's all too common.

I don't think I would've started the fight like you did, especially if the Russian was walking away. I would've made my point verbally and left it at that. I only use violence when things get physical (ie. I have no choice). I don't believe saying "fuck Islam" is a good enough reason to beat up on someone; obnoxious or not. That's just my opinion. Fighting is a last resort. It takes a lot for me to raise my fists - as I always think of the consequences and possible outcomes - but if I do I can be extremely vicious.

[EvaUnit02]

They should call you Train Uncle.

"I face racism, you face racism."

[Shingster]

He's the new Densha Otoko

[romerojpg]

You should have kicked his head in and knocked all his teeth out like I did to 4 drunks the other night for laying hands on me Cool bitches.

Wow, that's impressive! You must be as strong as you are thick, romero. :twisted:

More than you know, you forgot sexy as well and large in the penis department, which no your not getting your hands on baby!




I wouldnt even tell anyone I was in a fight, most people hate the idea of it so I just shut up about it, online and with friends. Unless you had your head smashed in and had the signs on your face.

Most drunks and scum who fight all the time every weekend just need locking up, I hate being out on the town and seeing evil acts of violence and racism, it happenes way to often. We need more Vigalante's to kill them I say, clean the filth from the streets. As I am sure as hell the police dont give a shit.

[Shingster]

More than you know, you forgot sexy as well and large in the penis department, which no your not getting your hands on baby!

I think that's one for The Romero Thread.

[romerojpg]

[Markgway]

Most drunks and scum who fight all the time every weekend just need locking up, I hate being out on the town and seeing evil acts of violence and racism, it happenes way to often. We need more Vigalante's to kill them I say, clean the filth from the streets. As I am sure as hell the police dont give a shit.

Romero for Prime Minister, anyone?

[gojensen]

Well done?

Hardly. You had the option to walk away without violence.

You didn't.

Shame on you.

Words are words. We've covered this before I think.

[grim_tales]

With a pound of plaster, your bones get better.
But once its been heard....
Who forgets the word?

(Brian Lee)

LD's reaction was probably OTT though.

[Shen]

how can we comment on this when we arent in LD's situation...90% of here are white people, we dont face the predjudices and racism of mulism and other people...personally i would have done the same, and i dont usually like violecence, but racism is one thing that really really pisses me off, there is just no need for it...

say some drunken pricks had been harrasing your girlfriend and wouldnt cease, what would you do? knock them out probably. same situation. you are defending something close to you...doesnt matter whetr it be a person, you love or dont even know, or you faith and beliefs...

ok i dont agree with violence but still, i dont think its rterribly bad that LD kicked these guys asses, i would have felt like it too, and probably done it given half the chance...

you cant really judge him until you have put yourself in a position that would evoke the same feelings and reactions...

[Markgway]

Violence should always be a last resort. If you start a fight you're really little better than they are. I think LD let himself down to be honest. If the racists had threwn the first punch or produced a weapon then that's a different story... But he was walking away.

We'd all love to beat the shit out of foul-mouthed thugs/drunks/racists we encounter but we don't. We try to maintain our dignity in the face of conflict until it's time not to. I don't see how being white has anything to do with it. Were it myself up against three Muslim bullies I still wouldn't fight unless I absolutely had to. You're right, though, it was LD who was in that situation, not us. All I'm saying is that it sounds like a fight that could have been avoided. Certainly nothing to feel good about.

[brooce-leroy]

They should call you Train Uncle.

"I face racism, you face racism."

Have you checked YouTube?

[tom2681]

When somebody insults you, punch them.

None of that "dignity - I'm above all that - walk away" bullshit.

I've tried reasoning with drunken idiots before... never works.

[thelostdragon]

Mark is right about one thing. The guy was definitely ABOUT to walk away. I was ABOUT to sit down. But then I saw the man who seemed to have been ashamed of himself for being so scared from these thugs. So I just asked the asshole if he liked Muslim countries in return and to really settle scores. When I heard "fuck Muslims and Islam", he basically insulted all my life and most of the people I know.

[romerojpg]

Hey I dont start things for ONE reason, they could have a knife, or even worse a Gun. Then your dead. If they start it with fists mind you and push it etc.. then I think its fine to kick the shit out of anyone. But still I am always uneasy about what people are like and how far they will go, you never know what someone is like or how far they will go to win a fight, or if they may kill you.

The thing is the person who starts it with the fists is ussually the one who gets into trouble with the law, no matter what is spoken to you its Only words, thats how the law sees it anyway. If he was to grab, push or spit at you then thats another matter.

[Markgway]

When somebody insults you, punch them.

None of that "dignity - I'm above all that - walk away" bullshit.

I've tried reasoning with drunken idiots before... never works.

That's really mature, Tom. Starting a fight makes you little better than them. I believe strongly in self-defence, but not throwing your wait around because you've got something to prove.

[Markgway]

Mark is right about one thing. The guy was definitely ABOUT to walk away. I was ABOUT to sit down. But then I saw the man who seemed to have been ashamed of himself for being so scared from these thugs. So I just asked the asshole if he liked Muslim countries in return and to really settle scores. When I heard "fuck Muslims and Islam", he basically insulted all my life and most of the people I know.

To me that's still not enough reason... all you did was lower yourself to his level by provoking him in return. You knew roughly what he'd say before you asked... thus you were gearing up for a fight. Looking for justification to do what you'd already decided to do. To say "fuck Muslims and Islam" is an ignorant generalisation. It's not a personal insult to you or your family. Sure, it's annoying, but worth beating the shit out of a drunk for? Certainly not. The guy probably ended up in hospital. And for what? He never hurt you. It sounds as though you've used the old man as an excuse to exact some sort of revenge. You think you're the first person who's ever had to put up with shit from assholes? If I battered everyone who bothered me I'd be asskicking 24/7. You have to rise above that urge otherwise you're no better than them.

[Yi-Long]

I agree with LD, Shen and Tom: The bastard had it coming. It's good he finally got a lesson he deserved, instead of getting away with being a major-league racist asshole. Maybe next time he'll be smarter.

Again: Well done, LD!