BACKGROUND: My shit is together if I do say so myself. Life is good, I've got a great career I've been building for the last half decade or so, hot gf, social skills are good (not perfect but I'm alright), I am a fighter for sport so I know how to handle myself physically VERY well compared to your average person.

I have noticed instances in the recent past where I'm faced with a situation that can EASILY be ignored or just as easily turned to violence. I don't have shit to prove so historically I've ignored shit unless it actually required direct action. But this has always left a bitter taste in my mouth. I find this generally happens with random men that may not have much to lose.

Example: I was out with two female classmates that are obviously into me. We were walking past a dark alley where some guy ( homeless? convict? We don't know) catcalls out to them. They yell back, but I decide to say nothing and keep the group moving. Something tells me that if I choose differently the situation might have turned out way differently (in a bad way), and what the fuck do I look like fighting for two chicks that I'm not sleeping with.

This example is a bit extreme but does RP have advice for asserting yourself in a situation without immediately turning it into violence?