Consensus on Streetfighting...

[Ahoym8e]

you guys probably don't live in a hood where a bad look or refusing a shot of gin can get you killed.

You probably don't live in a place where doing anything including "nothing" can get you killed.

You've got that right!

Smart martial artist's rule #1: Don't live in a place where refusing a shot of gin can get you killed.

[Karate_is_cool]

your curiosity points back to your confession, "You are new." those who have been to street fights train all the more to prepare for street fights, yes that's true. But unless one is a self-centered megalomanic martial artist, he would not actively seek opportunities to test his street fighting skills.

Sun Tzu refered to knowing your self and your enemy. On close inspection this also means if you keep yourself from being known, (like not looking for a fight) you keep an ace up your sleeve agaisnt would be opponents.

Don't be too eager to kick megabad-asses. One might end up being whipped themselves.

very true. sun tzu's art of war is a good book, but i've only managed to read a part of it. i read the book of 5 rings though. that book has a lot of good advice if you interpret what he says right. but there's one thing.... if you've never experienced a real fight before and you keep holding back, then you might actually be at a disadvantage. experience does help a lot. that's why and well experienced brawler can beat a good martial artist. im not saying every single time or most of the time. im just saying that it can happen. so i dunno... do as much as you can to prepare yourself. fight in the ring or in a lot of tournaments because they give you a feel for the adrenaline and nervousness.

[Tant01]

Fighting is stupid. Forget megalomania or ego adjustments, inferiority complexes and testing your art. Any thing that claims to be self defense is just that. It doesn't mean not fighting it means fighting for the right reason. I've been victimized over things as petty as who's quarters were on the pool table! You generally don't need to look far to find a reason to fight but a reason worth fighting for doesn't mean you'll win. Even if the guy leaves humiliated he just might be back with friends or weapons or both. My advise is don't do it unless you feel it's worth dying for. Then do it swiftly with the legal and moral boundries in mind. You don't need deadly force against an unarmed drunk guy.. But don't hesitate if it's real and immediate. Make sure they go to jail or the hospital and be prepared to go there yourself...