Why do people always want to fight me for no reason?

[Jawocha]

It seems like People want to fight me alot, I don't act aggressive towards Any of the people that try to fight me. I'm actually pretty passive if they hit me I just stand there and ask them why we're fighting. Do they just get mad Because I don't respond with any aggression. Is that why they see me as an easy target because I'm beyond calm, they think I'm soft but if they asked my friends if I could kick their ass they'd all say yes. What's the dealio

[2019DoctorPsych]

Same thing 4 me, except mainly it's just confrontation. Haven't been randomly hit yet. Something's going on. Used to think it was me giving off a "vibe." Now, I'm not so sure... It's confusing and frustrating!
My girlfriend pointed out that the times it happened when I was in the OC, it was due to racism (I'm Asian, but often mistaken for Hispanic). One time, there was a middle-aged white man in line in front of me at the grocery store. I emptied my cart to put my groceries on the belt so the cashier could ring me up and I could pay for my stuff, like a normal person on a normal day. Mundane... routine... automatic...
The guy in front of me looks at me, scoffs with an audible "ffft..." Then he put his hand on my cart and as he put his debit card in the reader to pay for his stuff. When he was done, he forcefully tried to pull my cart from me! "Excuse me! What are you doing?"
"Oh... is this your cart?"
I say, "Yes. If you need a cart, I'm happy to get you one."
"No..."
Then he stormed off.
What's worse is that the cashier gave me an aggressive look as though I was the one who was wrong!!
This happens to me when I'm out in crowded places, not just with white people either.
In my Jeet Kune Do class (I just started a month ago), some short, hairy, fat Indian guy kept mad-doggin' me and bumped me when I went to get focus mitts. The instructor won't let me spar because I just started (even tho' this ain't my first rodeo... just my first Bruce Lee class).
At Whole Foods, I'm looking for a line to get into, some guy's staring me down!
At the bookstore, as I'm hanging out with my girlfriend, some random guy's staring at me (I glare right back at him when I catch him looking and he doesn't let up!).
An elderly Asian man walking his dog the other day!
Countless times at other stores, esp if the stock/floor guys are 20 somethings (trying to "gangster walk" while leering at me! You're ****ing working! why would you treat a customer this way, esp if I'm in my 40's!!)
An orderly at a hospital when I went to visit my dying aunt! (saying "yeah he don't want none!" while he and his friends walk by as I'm obviously in tears waiting for an elevator!!! AT A HOSPITAL!!)
My best friend's wife's cousin throwing me a gang sign at their wedding!

[Distant]

It's either than you look like an easy target or a good fight. Both of these (especially, the first) will leave you getting into a lot of fights when around douches. The way I've delt with this in my earlier years was kicking their asses. I do not condone fighting but it works in many cases. The other side of it is to walk away and avoid contact with such people. Make sure you're walking with confident body language (Stand up straight, keep your arms to your sides and keep your head up) since it'll decrease the chances of people starting trouble.

~Distant

[Brendi87]

one of my exes I chilled with months ago, used to say this and it made me uncomfortable because if there was a fight, I would walk away. anyway, I noticed he talked like the world was out to get him, like he had a chip on his shoulder, and possibly was attracting those negative people into his space. he talked bad about people but would literally turn around and watch his back. I didn't notice it when I was with him, but I'm almost sure he will give people dirty looks if they look at him wrong or say something thinking that people are judging him. I believe he downplays it when he's with me because he doesn't want to appear like a jerk, but I suggest you walk around with confidence and positive thoughts.

[selfishstars]

I don't really have an answer, but it's the same for my boyfriend. He isn't an aggressive person

and he tends to keep to himself, but people try to start things with him all the time, out of no where. Walking down the street, at the bar, even when he's just reading a book on the subway train. My only guess is that it has something to do with appearance----like maybe because he's kind of a smaller guy, it makes him seem like an easy target to guys who want to show how tough and dominant they are?

[djmoore33]

I feel you man. It’s really irritating and tiresome as hell. Of late, I’ve been going through that. I thought I left those days behind. I’ve often heard growing up that how you carry yourself affects how others will treat you. In my case, I don’t carry myself in a submissive way. I regularly work out and try my best to project an image of strength. Some people are the opposite and maybe see both you and I as a challenge. Maybe that’s what it is. I also have nice things and dress well. I’m thinking it might be jealousy. I really thought I was past such silly grade school antics this far into my life. Unfortunately we share the world with a lot of immature idiots who think trying to pick fights with people is still in style.

[Anonymous]

How do you look? Tall? Muscular? "Bad boy"?

It could have something to do with that. I'm a tall guy and I have sometimes experienced small guys trying to take me down to prove that they can. I guess that have low self-esteem, and they compensate by trying to take some down who looks physically superior.

But you don't tell much so I'm just guessing.

[Vtartaud]

Lol, ofcourse they keep picking you, start fighting, geez.

[djmoore33]

That was beyond helpful. How did you gain such insight?