I saw an ex-marine buddy of mine back down two Seattle Seahawks in a bar once — scariest thing I have ever seen.  This guy is only about 5’8″, the Seahawks just towered over him.  Things escalated to the point where they said, “We are going to mop the floor with you and what do you think you are going to do about it?”  The ex-marine eyes are just as black as death and he said, “I don’t know, but we’ll find out if you try.”

This was the perfect thing to say.  It didn’t challenge them, and it wasn’t submission (although submission and running might have been a good way out for most people).  It drew a line for them and told them there WOULD be a response if they stepped over it.  His body language made it clear that he would respond.  The Seahawks backed down — they didn’t feel a need to find out what the response might be.

Greg Hamilton (paraphrased)
Self Defense Instructor
February 5, 1997