I've always been a big dude, I was an all state offensive linemen & I can be the asshole you really don't like. I've encountered a million different ways that guys have tried to handle me over the years, and some were smooth as silk. Here's some of the more useful strategies I've encountered-

  • Kill me with kindness- These guys go out of their way to compliment, supplicate, and be agreeable. They laugh and amplify when you give them shit, and it usually defuses me if it appears empathetic. These guys usually had big brothers growing up and know how to avoid confrontation without pussing out.
  • Kill me with mockery- These guys try and get me to qualify, and love saying stuff like, "Did ya?" "Oh really?" and "Bullshit," When I'm trying to demonstrate value. "You're just too cool," is my least favorite of these to hear. This works when there is an audience and is most effective if they start out seeming genuine but turn the mockery up as the conversation progresses.
  • Kill me with sympathy- I've only ran into this a few times but it works like a charm. These guys are the ones who isolate and ask permission. "Hey man I like her, can you help me out? or at least not shit on me in front of her?" Anytime this happens it makes me feel like King Shit of the turd pile, and from then on I do my best to make that humble dude look like Big Dick Daddy the rest of the night.
  • Kill me with logistics- These guys love to say, "Let's get out of here," and get the lady away from me or at least try and frame it like I'm the tag-a-long that's ruining their fun. This works if the girl is already bought in to him, but fails miserably when he's misjudged how attracted she is to him.
  • Kill me with wit- These guys own their words and aren't afraid to get punched in the mouth. They know that if you do resort to violence that they've won because they made you look like "that guy."
  • Kill me- Some guys just really want to fight. If you're going to go this route then you better hit first and hit quick, because if you just puff up like most party/bar fights start than you're going to get balled up. One time this dude that I had 5 inches and 40 pounds on absolutely destroyed me. I squared up to the little guy, and before I'd even thought about doing the ceremonial chest bump, that Chun Li looking bastard judo chopped my throat and then kneed me in the groin. I couldn't breath and was on the ground, that kid kicked me in the stomach for good measure then took off like a banshee. Fight then flight worked real well for him. Remember, if you're not getting paid, then it shouldn't be a fair fight.

If you've got something of value to contribute, please do because I've run into too many guys that think pissing themselves or blowing themselves out are their only two viable options.