Last night after work, instead of my usual simple dinners, I was craving for something savoury. Having previously agreed with the intern to take her to try out local food during her stay, it was decided that we shall head to a nearby mamak store (don't hold me to the spelling, but it means indian street food. it's not really "on the street", but it's not like a starred restaurant either. Hard to explain- will take a picture next time). But anyway, we had a fun time chit-chatting n as good times always fly by so much quicker, soon it was 10:30pm n we started to make our way back.
While we were walk-talking pass Jalan Alor, with her on my right, a guy sped passed me on my left with his hand reaching for my hip region. Lucky, having a habit to swing my arm when I walk, he touched my wrist instead. At that split moment, I thought it was all an accident n had the reflex to say sorry, but when I heard him snicker, I just flipped n snapped "DON'T touch me". Possibly drunk or just plain stupid, he actually repeated what I said mimicking my voice as he fled the scene. Like a pissed off lion, but not wanting to make a big deal, I brushed it off n left it at that.
Here comes the question: should I have done more? On the one hand, someone needs to teach the guy a lesson that women are to be RESPECTED. His attitude was just degrading n disgusting. (Sidenote: of course, I blame this on the level/kind of education n overall environment of things. So u can imagine, this would make it's connection to religious roots n how it's okay to think "women are inferior" nonsense. But anyway, I don't wanna open another can of worms here). Honestly, the whole night, I thought of so many things I could've done. By the time I got out of the shower, I reached the conclusion that I should've just broke his face, since he doesn't care about "not having face" anyway (it's a chinese saying to mean someone who's thick-skinned n oblivious to the fact that they've officially disgraced themselves). And to think I had my 1L bottle in my right hand...
On the other hand, it's the danger of the unknown to follow that put me on pause. How would I know how he would react? Considering I've profiled him to be either drunk or stupid, he could've done, oh I don't know, a whole lot of god-knows-what. Plus, I wasn't alone. I had to consider the safety of my group, which in this case was the one other person. Although, now that I think about it, I really didn't need to worry because with the size of us two- we're considered giants in Asia- we could've taken him to pieces easily. Except, we never know if he had backup somewhere down the street, or possibly, put us on his "hunt down list" n jump us while we're on the street some other day/night. Ultimately, if he chooses to act on revenge, we'd be in the open while he'd be in the dark. So what happens then? Not a good situation to be in, period.
So, what could I really have done after all that consideration? Well, as hard as it is to admit, probably nothing more than what I already did- brush him off n give him some yelling. Though, if I had nothing to lose, I'd have beaten him to a pulp for being such a douchebag (that's why I always say, the people who are more likely to succeed at whatever they wanna do, are the ones with nothing to lose). But anyway, not to promote violence: if in doubt, use only force that is of one level higher than what was exerted with the aim to stop further harm to oneself. (Every time I read that law, I get a K.O. image in my head. Okay, not the best course of action, but seriously, when u only have a split second to think, u can't expect too much of logical reasoning to occur anyway). So, best course of action? Show that u recognize the assault n demonstrate ur intolerance for such behaviour. If it escalates- n sometimes u do hope that he just gives u a reason to- then, by all means, use "self defense".
(for my birthday, if u duno what to get me....)
(need I say more?)