Just like a punch in the face
Tonight I took the 21 MUNI line home. Bear with me here. The front was crowded as a dude was blocking the way. I excused myself and moved past him only to have him accuse me of pushing him. To "retaliate", he pushed me back. As I turned to figure out what was going on...
Dang!
That son-of-a-bitch punched me square in the face. The chin to be exact. A nice solid punch. I haven't been punched in the face since college but times were different then: we were in a ring wearing boxing gloves so there was no element of surprise.
My bell was a little rung so I stepped back and asked something reasonable: Why did you punch me in the face?
His response was less reasonable.
So the other passengers started yelling at him and telling the drive to throw him off. I asked again: Why did you punch me in the face?
At which point, because of all the other passengers yelling at him, he started to flip out, saying that he was going to "tear this thing apart" (or something to that effect, things were a little hazy).
I felt it was best to get off the bus, go home, and file a police report.
That officer would like you to know that if something similar ever happens to you, tell the bus driver to immediately push their "panic button" (which I didn't know they had) and a bunch of cops will come immediately and arrest the guy.
Anyway, don't worry about me. My lip is swollen and a little bloody but will be fine after a few days of aspirin and ice. My pride is not bruised, I have not been turned into a frightened city dweller, and I'm glad I didn't do anything stupid.
Just remember that panic button.
posted by Steve Jenson at 9:28 PM
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14 Comments:
An important detail: he was straddling the aisle by holding the bars on each side. I GODDAMN FUCKING HATE THAT. I wish you decked him.
Though, I also appreciate the fact that you didn't deck him, and instead incited an angry mob and hightailed out of there. That's very Art of War.
9:24 AM
That's good that you kept your cool. Don't worry about that dumbass, he'll get his one of these days.
2:17 PM
My wife's ex-boyfriend pulled a similar stunt. He and I were acquaintances but not friends; I didn't know they'd dated. Mike was pretty upset about her seeing somebody else, and made a scene in front of a bunch of friends at the beach. I went over to his place to talk to him about it the next week and we buried the hatchet.
Or so I thought.
A week later we were at a church dance. I was up talking to the DJ when Mike came up. I thought he was making a public gesture: most of the people present for his earlier tantrum were also there that night, so chatting for a moment in public would send a message that we'd settled our differences. The two large goons wandering up behind him should have clued me in.
I stuck my hand out and said "Hey Mike." He just glared at me; then without a word, while I was wide open with my hand outstretched, he hit me with a quick left hook and followed with a hard uppercut to the jaw. Like you, I was incredulous; I remember yelling his name in shock. I stepped back to get out of his range and promptly tripped over the DJ's subwoofer, landing on my back. I rolled to my feet, and Mike and his two goons were already out the side door, dashing into a running car that quickly peeled away. It was like a bad B movie.
He'd deliberately worn a ring that split my chin open to the bone. It took six stitches to close, but there's almost no scar; because of what he was wearing, it was almost like a scalpel cut -- clean, not jagged.
On the way home from the police station, where we filed an assault charge, we stopped at a gas station. I picked up some rather sorry-looking roses for my sweetheart, who felt horribly guilty about it all. I scored major points for not being intimidated by her ex, and for thinking of her despite what had happened.
The irony was that not only did I marry her, but I lost whatever fear I'd had of Mike. He was smaller than me but worked out religiously (I do now; I didn't then): he was a strong guy. But he'd hit me hard, fueled by anger, when I was wide open, and nothing happened: I didn't black out; I didn't see stars; I wasn't even sore the next day, except a little bit on my right cheek. So I knew I could take whatever he dished out.
Like you, I let the law deal with him, and still walked away with the girl. =)
2:31 PM
Anonymous: Sucker punched at a church event? Wow, that's pretty low.
Happy ending, though.
7:38 PM
Wow... Dude... never expected to read this here... take care
11:02 PM
Dude!
WTH? Suckerpunching is for cowards.
Ty
8:15 AM
This explains the Gracie classes?
I'll take this space to advise you that nonviolence is not a defense.
Turning your back is not a defense.
Only recognizing the precursors to violence, and preempting it with your preferred counter would have changed this situation at all.
The Gracie studies will help to some degree - but fighting every week will make you truly prepared.
Just 1 hour every Friday - can make such a difference.
;)
8:20 AM
Jeremy,
If it had been a financial district stiff that sucker punched me, and not some crackhead, I would have reacted differently. I wasn't that interested in getting stabbed with a rusty pen knife.
The Gracie classes aren't a reaction to what happened, I've been talking about it for a while now. Although it did help remind me. :)
10:35 AM
Holy shite. Remind me to stay off the 21. My gf rides the 5 home everyday. Makes me worried.
10:14 PM
Hey Christopher,
FWIW, I've ridden the 5 for over 3 years and have never been socked in the jaw.
10:17 PM
Man.. doesn't google pay you enough to take a cab :)
Seriously though.. glad you're ok!
That sux..
12:22 AM
Hey Steve,
Cool first name, man! :) Also, very cool blog. I've already added you to my blogroll.
It stinks that you had that bad experience. I feel for you. I'm glad you're doing OK. Get well soon. Is it too much to ask to simply ride the public transportation home without hassles and threats?
Anyway, you've got a good site. Thanks.
I inferred something else of mutual interest (besides first name). You used to box in college? That's cool. I did, too. Had fun with it. I've learned to avoid street fights, though. Sport is one thing, but I don't care to get hurt or hurt anyone.
That guy probably wouldn't have had the courage to face you in the ring with the gloves on. Then again, the dude is probably a few slices short of a pizza, so he's probably not playing sports with anyone.
Anyway, thanks again for the neat blog site. Feel better soon, and be careful out there. Be well.
12:31 AM
Re: girlfriends on the 5: I've never had a problem with the 5, she'll be OK.
And I can confirm that Steve's been considering martial arts for a while now. He's been encouraging me to take kickboxing so we can ensure mutual destruction in our household.
10:18 AM
Man SteveJ, you should have pushed this guy real hard. You ever seen somebody fall down while riding a bus? There's really no place to grab on your way down and you usually make the fall a lot worse by trying to save yourself. That's what I would have done...after smashing the guy's face hammer-style, of course. But your 'peaceful' response is good too.
11:03 AM
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