How common is it to know self-defense but you never had to use it in real life?

[Anonymous]

I can actually handle myself (having aces under my sleeve basically) and have fast reflexes. I don't need male cousins saving me from a wannabe abusive, loser. However, I keep a low profile.

Besides play fighting with both genders, several competitions and all the training over the years, I never needed to use it against anyone. Basically I have the skill to neutralize or hurt an abuser (I know when to stop though) but I never had to use it. How common is this? Yes you know self-defense but no one ever mess with you, you never had to defend yourself?

[Phoenix98]

I mean where you live can make a big difference on wether you’d need to use it or not. But there is always that chance you’ll have to use it.

but it’s better to have those skills and be able to protect yourself and never need to use. Then not have those skills and need them.

Personally I’ve had to use it several times throughout my life and I’m glad I had those skills. But there were times were just being intimidating and sincere we’re enough to avoid fights.

[CallmeTheKnight]

Any situation where you have to protect yourself, That is self-defense. Knowing when to flee or stand your ground is self defense.

[Asker]

Exactly. The best tool is walking away when not needed. For instance if it's just words and someone talks garbage about my mother, that's the perfect example of just leaving, ignoring them.

[rigmarole]

If you’ve never been in a fight, you don’t have the skills you believe you do… In order to be able to actually fight, you have to actually fight. To some extent that can come from controlled environments in tournament competition to build experience, muscle memory, and confidence, but handling confrontation in high stress environments were people want to maim or kill you is essential to understanding how your skill actually works in the real world. That said, unless you live under a rock I don’t know how you avoid violence. Obviously you get a lot of special treatment as a girl, but still the world has a lot of conflict. Street fights, muggings, robberies, heated arguments with strangers, etc. are pretty common in urban environments. I’ve had people try to mug me, I’ve been in many street fights both one on one and multiple people attacking me, and I’ve had many close calls where people were trying to pick fights and posturing but I was able to avoid them by how I handled it. People mess you if you are out in the world. It happens… I doubt you’re that intimidating. I’m personally 6’3”, muscular, probably twice your weight, I have a deep intimidating voice, a mean look when I put it on, and have been in thousands of fights mixed between competition and actual street fights. That doesn’t stop people from picking fights or throwing the first punch.

[rigmarole]

*People mess with you if you are out in the world.

[Asker]

Well I don't get involved in someone else's argument or feud. For instance when I saw two women fighting (the typical slapping around and pulling hairs, catfight style), I walked away and let them handle their own fight.
While I'm not short (5'7 and 132 Ibs), yeah I'm not a very intimidating person. On the outside, I appear like your normal, feminine lady in a dress, minding her own business. I've been raised in a relatively peaceful environment, calm neighborhood most of my friends I've known them since my early school years.

[rigmarole]

Typical houses in the neighborhood I grew up in run from $800K - $2M and with 1 mile there are neighborhoods with $10M-$30M homes. It's considered a "safe neighborhood". It has the best schools in the county. At the closest grocery store between my neighborhood and the more upscale neighborhood I've had people pick fights with me in grocery stores and I had 2 guys try to mug me roughly 100 feet away from the police station. Violence is everywhere. In fact I'd say it's more common in "safer" wealthy areas because criminals target wealthy people. If you are crook, you go to where the money is to rob and loot most often.

[rigmarole]

In the same area, I've even read stories of old ladies being robbed for their jewelry and purse at gun point in the graveyard while they were praying in front of their dead spouse's gravestone... Criminals don't have morals. They try to take advantage of you when you are at your most vulnerable, because they think there will be less resistance.

[The-Stud]

Very rare , especially if you are not looking for a fight and try to stay away from them

Despite being into Professional fighting , I would still avoid any form of fight in real life as much as possible even if I have to run... cause if the attacker has friends or has a glock then I am dead

[Asker]

That's pretty much how I stay at low profile. I saw a fight between two girls and I didn't do anything. It wasn't a deadly one. It was the typical catfight. I walked away and let them solve it themselves.
Walking away is usually the best option. I'm not fighting anyone unless there isn't any other option.

[The-Stud]

👍👍

[KillinItHard]

I know self-defense and I've actually had to use it several times in my life so I'm glad to have learned what I have.

I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[Asker]

Yes it's better to have it in handy just in case.

[KillinItHard]

Exactly my thoughts.

[NamerOfStars]

Probably fairly common, given how much of it is avoiding situations where you need to use it.

[jahaims]

You have false confidence

[Asker]

Not really. I just mind my own business and don't look for fight. If someone else is fighting but it's not deadly, I'm letting them solve their own issues. I don't even get involved in someone else's feud.

[Anonymous]

It's very common