Something everybody should do.
A very long time ago, while getting out off the train station in Park slope, Brooklyn one evening, a young girl approached me and asked if I was the b#@*!# who was sleeping with her boyfriend.
She was clearly angry and pretty convinced that I was the person she was looking for. I looked her straight in the eyes and told her “no, I am this person. I have a boyfriend of my own and he lives a couple doors down if you want to see for yourself”. It took quite a bit more arguing before she eventually, reluctantly, walked away.
Thinking back, I was pretty scared after words. I thought to myself. What if I had not convinced her? What if she had hit me? How would I have reacted? I’m pretty sure I would have been in such shock I would not have been able to do much at all. The only physical fight I have ever been is with my sister when we were teenagers and it stopped quickly when she learned to punch and knocked the wind out of me. I never picked a fight with her again.
This little incident lead me to the conclusion that we should all be prepared to defend ourselves. The next day, I went to the gym and took a class…ok, it was a yoga class. What can I say, I am a lover not a fighter. I still think it’s good advice, so do as I say, not as I do…awe hell! Take a yoga class too. You won’t regret it.