I was riding to work @ 11:15 the other night (I work the graveyard shift in a 24hr store) when I popped my back tyre on my bike. So I was really in a foul mood and had to walk the four blocks to work. There's a bit where the path narrows due to roadworks that I had to push my bike along and as I did I saw a group of eight (I had time to count) Ozehomies coming up the path the other way.
*Note* Ozehomies are white, non americans who wear homie clothes, listen to black music and claim to identify with the struggle of black america. In short, they're nothing like the American breed, they are just try hard losers. And they like to fight people when the odds are distinctly in their favour. So I though "Oh Crap."
By the time I was within 10 feet of them I could smell the alcohol they'd been drinking and as they went past one of them deliberately shouldered me. I was ready for it (situational awareness I suppose ) and he just bounced off me and into one of his buddies. So then he starts yelling at me and basically spoiling for a fight. I knew I'd have no chance against eight guys but all I could remember is something I've read in a lot of MA mags: Don't look like a victim.
By this point his buddies had all gathered around, thankfully in front of me...I used the narrow walkway to keep them there...didn't want them behind me. I squared myself up to my full height (6'3) and gave this guy the same stare I give people when I'm about to hit them. And then I gave him a really cold ass smile. He took about three steps backwards, threw up his hands in a defensive motion, and said something like "Forget about it...only joking man" and they went on their way.
It mightn't have worked in all situations but these guys were looking for a victim and I showed them that I wasn't going to be one. I guess sometimes showing a willingness to fight and a psycho look can be self defence enough!