The problem with defending yourself in public interactions is that usually the person attacking you has nothing to lose, while you have everything to lose.
Some random loser in a bar or on the street picks a screaming match with you. He might be overstaying his visa, has just enough money to pay rent for the next week, has no job or career, and if he’s Thai, he could be earning just 250 Baht a day.
Meanwhile, you’ve built your entire life. Saving for retirement, making investments, pursuing education, advancing your career, and sending your kids to an expensive school. If he gets arrested, it doesn’t matter to him. If you get arrested, you could lose everything.
So usually you keep your head down and walk away, makes you look like a 🐈 in front of everybody. Because you’re not willing to risk losing everything over of some loser.
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Defending yourself in a life-or-death situation is, of course, different, but I think there is only a small chance of getting into such a situation.