PRESS RELEASE – Whether the fight just crept up on you or you provoked it, knowing how to walk away from a fight can be the most mature and responsible thing you have ever done in your life.
It won’t be the easiest thing to do though and you’ll need to stay strong in the aftermath of letting go. However, walking away can ultimately ensure that you don’t make an already bad situation worse than it already is.
- Keep your wits about you: Anger, panic, fear, and frustration are all emotions guaranteed to cause you to fall apart than thinking clearly about what is happening. It’s highly recommended that you learn to avoid getting yourself into situations that threaten fights as an inevitable outcome. Keep an eye out for danger signs, like the building up of high tension, the presence of alcohol, a too-late night or someone who is upset over something or someone else, don’t get involved in what does not concern you.
- Create physical distance: The other person is likely as riled and angry or afraid as you are and this makes things volatile. By stepping back or standing away, you make the first call to not engage any further in fighting. Keep your distance––if the other person come closer, move away again.
- Assess whether or not it will work to talk: In many cases, the emotions are just too heightened for a discussion. However, if it seems that talking might work, throw some hooks as an invitation to talk instead of fight. For example: Say something like: “Hey buddy. I don’t want this. You don’t want this. Let’s be reasonable and talk it out.”
- Ignore the insults or negative comments your opponent is flinging your way: This is to be expected and you should be ready for it. You might hear yourself being called a coward, weak and all manner of angry and taunting things. These are the last offenses of the angry opponent who sees a chance for a fight deflating, the last ditch efforts to rile you into returning to the fight. Recognize them for what they are and don’t personalize them.
- Avoid escalating an argument: There may be principles you want to stand on, points you wish to ram home and views that you think are irrevocably right. You may think that your opponent is all wrong. But none of these beliefs are either wholly accurate or helpful to you. The important thing is avoiding a fight, not arguing petty points about the disagreement you two have.
- When all else fails, turn away and leave: Remember there is no shame in running away––you did your best. Walking away from a fight doesn’t determine that you’re a coward (no matter how much the other person screams this); it determines that you’re mature and thinking responsibly, about not just yourself but about the other person too, and families and friends who will be affected by the repercussions. Above all, remind yourself the alternatives could be much worse: You could die, get crippled, or end up in jail. Remember what’s important to you and how a fight could impact your life.
- Never forget to call the Police: The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is there to maintain law and order. Call the police at the earliest of any dispute. Don’t allow the situation to get out of hand.
Weekend crime prevention tips are a production of the Public Relations Department of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. Do have an enjoyable and safe weekend.
(1)
(0)