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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can you fight?

119 replies

hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 20:19

I have never had one but I dont think i can

I do imagine ripping the head off of some people on occasion though 😄

Can you? Have you? Would you at this point in your life, if someone was very deserving?

I might take up boxing 🤔

OP posts:
Timeforachange26 · 29/07/2026 21:23

hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 21:07

I feel like my personality is very 'cut them off'(trauma response)

Its not always the way, sometimes square up and fight back, you never know what it'll lead to!

Sorry for your loss x

Show quote history

Id gained respect by not being a wimp and actually fighting back lol.She told me exactly this I was also the youngest in the year below her

I do miss her She's the only person who really knew me the whole of my life 40 odd years of shared history

Lesina · 29/07/2026 21:19

Yes I can. Grew up with 4 brothers so learned at an early age to fight. Fight quite dirty actually. Back in the seventies when I was about 11, some punk rocker went to kick my dog. I went for him like a thing possessed. Teeth and nails. Earned the nickname Hell Cat… proud of that.

Mumsgirls · 29/07/2026 21:16

I fought off a mugger in Spain, he did not get my bag or money. I was hurt, but he ran off. Probably not too sensible, but it was instinct and not a conscious decision. I am now nearly70, but would definitely fight if my family were attacked.
i am the sort who tells teenagers to pick up litter, so have not mellowed with age.
My Dad was mid eighties, when he squared up to a thug who had insulted me, probably on the gene lol

takealettermsjones · 29/07/2026 21:16

hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 21:14

Ahh okay, I misunderstood it

I was like 'attack men first. Okay 📝😩'

Completely agree

Edited
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Oh no haha. As someone up thread said, we don't start it. We finish it 😁

Lilypad789 · 29/07/2026 21:15

I wonder this all the time. If someone hit me could I recoup and smash them to bits? In my head I can 😂

EmeraldRoulette · 29/07/2026 21:14

No

I can't run either and I genuinely worry if somebody knocked me down I wouldn't be able to get back up. Had a spine injury.

So also slow in the sense that if I try and watch boxing, I can't really keep up with who's doing what? Like it doesn't make sense to me. I wish I wasn't like this.

Before my injury, I tried going to some of those fitness classes where they have boxing drills. I could not believe how much my wrist and fingers hurt afterwards.

Original poster
hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 21:14

takealettermsjones · 29/07/2026 21:11

That women should basically do whatever they have to in order to get away when being attacked by a man. If you have to get nasty, do it. Bite, scratch, grab his bollocks, stick your thumbs in his eyes.

Show quote history

Ahh okay, I misunderstood it

I was like 'attack men first. Okay 📝😩'

Completely agree

OP posts:
DreamingOfGeneHunt · 29/07/2026 21:12

Certainly. I have had to in the past.

moonraker0 · 29/07/2026 21:11

DrumsPleaseFab · 29/07/2026 21:09

I think there is an advantage with having grown up with two brothers because it definitely gave me experience fighting with people who are bigger and stronger, and it taught me to fight dirty 😬 You basically want to hurt them in the balls/eyes/nose

that is assuming you are fighting a male

i might be too scared to fight another female 😅

From my years working in a pub women fight dirtier than men. They don’t care what they use and I’ve seen some damage done with a stiletto shoe that I’ll never forget.

clearlyy · 29/07/2026 21:11

Never had one but my legs are massive I bet I could cause some damage if I booted someone hard 🤣🤣🤣

olafree · 29/07/2026 21:11

I was bought up in the care system. I learnt to fight pretty young. But I’m wheelchair user now so the most damage I could do is to bruise someone’s shins lol

takealettermsjones · 29/07/2026 21:11

hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 21:09

What do you mean by the last sentence - get nasty - like fight before they try and overpower you? Genuine q

Show quote history

That women should basically do whatever they have to in order to get away when being attacked by a man. If you have to get nasty, do it. Bite, scratch, grab his bollocks, stick your thumbs in his eyes.

Jellycatspyjamas · 29/07/2026 21:09

Yes, I have a black belt in a martial art and could certainly do enough damage to get away from danger.

DrumsPleaseFab · 29/07/2026 21:09

I think there is an advantage with having grown up with two brothers because it definitely gave me experience fighting with people who are bigger and stronger, and it taught me to fight dirty 😬 You basically want to hurt them in the balls/eyes/nose

that is assuming you are fighting a male

i might be too scared to fight another female 😅

Original poster
hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 21:09

takealettermsjones · 29/07/2026 21:08

Yes, I'm a martial artist (and a scrapper lol). But I would avoid it wherever possible nowadays. I'm also not blind to the fact that while I am a fairly tall and strong woman, I would still be in trouble against a lot of men. It's just a fact, and one I teach the women and girls I train - get nasty before the situation does.

What do you mean by the last sentence - get nasty - like fight before they try and overpower you? Genuine q

OP posts:
Port1aCastis · 29/07/2026 21:09

Yes if I'm angry I would certainly stick up for myself. I was married to a violent man and once managed to knock him out of my way by punching him on the nose and kneeling him in the crotch. He deserved more but that was all I could manage at the time

takealettermsjones · 29/07/2026 21:08

Yes, I'm a martial artist (and a scrapper lol). But I would avoid it wherever possible nowadays. I'm also not blind to the fact that while I am a fairly tall and strong woman, I would still be in trouble against a lot of men. It's just a fact, and one I teach the women and girls I train - get nasty before the situation does.

moonraker0 · 29/07/2026 21:07

Yes. Grew up in a rough area and if you wanted to go into town drinking on the weekends you had to be able to handle yourself. Same goes for working as bar staff which I did for many years when I was younger.

Original poster
hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 21:07

Timeforachange26 · 29/07/2026 20:55

Of course I have 3 brothers

It's also the way I " met" my best friend. She waited to beat me up after school as I spoke " too posh" I beat her hands down and we were best friends for years after that until she died a couple of years ago.

I feel like my personality is very 'cut them off'(trauma response)

Its not always the way, sometimes square up and fight back, you never know what it'll lead to!

Sorry for your loss x

OP posts:
Original poster
hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 21:06

fishbowlee · 29/07/2026 20:55

yes & no. Fighting a man is very different, it can be shocking to realise how much stronger they are then you.

This is true, it is shocking in the moment

OP posts:
QueenSmartypants · 29/07/2026 21:02

Wow I've led a sheltered life!

I used to think I had inner anger enough to take on any man, but who am I kidding against a man's strength !

Asthma means I can't run anymore so Id just have to give it my best shot if I were ever attacked

BMW58 · 29/07/2026 20:58

Yep at least a head shorter than me. Wanker.
Hope he never lost his virginity.

Original poster
hotmumshit · 29/07/2026 20:57

BMW58 · 29/07/2026 20:55

Yes, I get The Rage and feel no fear. I've been Sexually assaulted and instantly punched the bloke in the face then chased him down the street intending to push him in front of the bus that was due.

I'll always remember the look of terror on HIS face when he saw the rage in mine.

Police thought it may have been his first attempt - hopefully his last as well, the short arsed piece of shite.

Edited

I've encountered such men

They are often short

OP posts:
ScrimMN · 29/07/2026 20:56

I’m taking my black belt test in mixed martial arts next spring. I live to train and fight and love the sparring, we also have in depth self defence training as well.

i used be a people pleaser, but seethe behind the scenes when people walked over me. Now I’m a lot less likely to let people take the piss, and can recognise when they are. I’m also not afraid in certain situations either I used to avoid.

we never throw the first punch, we certainly throw the last.

fishbowlee · 29/07/2026 20:55

yes & no. Fighting a man is very different, it can be shocking to realise how much stronger they are then you.