You know, a couple years ago I got to spend a day with all three of my kids. The two youngest (30's) still tease. It was very reassuring (maybe odd for some) when my son pestered his sister about demonstrating her kicks and then punches at him. When he stopped to tell her to change up her style and then asked about breaking a nose, my daughter said, very firmly, "I know how to break a nose!"

When in a situation where danger is apparent, as I was taught many many years ago, aim the heel of your hand directly at the tip of the nose and drive the heel of hand into it with every ounce of strength you can muster, the impact not only fractures the nasal bones, it also causes the most intense pain imaginable and the eyes literally flood with tears blinding the assailant, given you a chance of either landing another forceful blow to the Genitalia region or running like hell away as fast as your feet can carry you.

@Triphid Yep.

@KKGator A quick and forceful blow to the 'Family Jewels' on any man will bring him down faster than a ton of bricks from a roof-top.
He will be writhing in agony, crying his eyes out, retching his guts up and holding his 'family jewels' in both cupped hands for quite some time.
I have a really fair idea how it would feel because I once copped the towing hitch end of a trailer in that very region when a friend's young son decided to jump into the rear of the trailer while I was trying to attach it to the car.

@Triphid Always a good target, but if out of position, a useless one.
It's necessary to know multiple soft targets which will inflict maximum
pain. It's also helpful to be able to hit several in rapid succession.

@KKGator The nose first, then, if possible, a knuckled fore fingers to the eyes, followed by a rapid, full strength punch to the solar plexus and then, IF you truly want a bit the old ' I told you No' the knee or fist to the 'family jewels' as the coup de gras ….LOL.
Usually, as a friend who was a Martial Arts trainer taught my daughter, those in as quick a succession as possible, will bring down even the biggest and strongest of attackers into a screaming, blubbering heap.

@Triphid Slapping cupped hands over the ears is also rather disabling and a rude shock that few anticipate. So is a poke in the eyes, disables the main means of tracking you. Small men (like me) need to know some useful dirty tricks too.

@alliwant I mentioned both men and women in my initial response.
Good suggestions, too.

@KKGator Even a kick or punch to the crotch of female can bring her to her knees.

I have a (fake) pearl-handled lock blade that looks like a stiletto. Feminine and useful. hahahahahaha

P.s. agreed, YOU made the right choice of not seeing him again; your friend just confirmed it. You’re making good choices based on the information/ red flags/ deal breakers received.

If you think it is so easy to spot a psychopath or narcissist, then you would be easy prey. Because they are so subtle and sneaky, you would never see them coming. Especially as they are love bombing you! Master manipulators those fckers are.... I had a family member that was a narc and if you met her, you'd think she was a lovely nice lady. XD

Don't act like a judgmental asshole.
You really have NO idea what you're talking about.
You're also being damned insulting.
Which makes you seem an even bigger asshole.
You really ought to apologize to @LiterateHiker
Your comment was completely uncalled for.

@KKGator But thoughts were asked for! If a request for thoughts had not been asked for I would have said nothing.

I could also have said as a thought, “that’s shocking, I feel really bad for you”, which I do, but many other people will say that so no point, My comment is just another view of the situation.

@motrubl4u Thanks for knowing me. A troll is disruptive not someone who makes honest comment when they are asked to make one!

@Geoffrey51

Stop blaming me. Online dating is like a blind date. Before meeting, I:

1. Insist on a phone conversation.

2. Look up the man on WA Courts- Search Case Records.

3. Arrange to meet at a safe public place like a cafe' for lunch. (daylight)

4. Arrive early. Tell the waiter I'm meeting a new man. Arrange a signal with the waiter if things go south. Ask if someone can walk me to my car. Restaurant staff are happy to help.

@motrubl4u that's certainly not the Geoffry I recognise and I think he as a point as Literate hiker seems to be very unlucky in the men she dates.

@Moravian Thanks Moravian. That means a lot. If we didn’t live 12,000 miles apart I’d buy you a scotch!

@Moravian, @motrubl4u Thanks Motrubl,you obviously took the time to read my previous posts and comments before making such a detailed and erudite observation.

@LiterateHiker Not blaming you at all! You asked for thoughts, which I gave. I understand you seem to be having a difficult time at the moment in that department and if I caused you any distress in any way I apologise.

Please take the response in the spirit that it was sent as a reaction to a question and not a criticism of yourself.

@Geoffrey51

You wrote: "I think you are not discerning enough about the strange people you are dating."

You are blaming me for men's bad behavior. Although I appreciate your apology, look at what you wrote.

Try empathy instead.

@Geoffrey51 it’s not the person I recognise you as either....I think the term “troll” is bandied about here without thought or actual justification, any comment contrary to the majority view seems to be given that label. I have stopped short of giving my opinions on some threads because of the negative comments which I know they will elicit.

@Marionville Thanks Marj. It seems to be a term used toward anyone who has an opinion outside of the expected norm.

This is why I am not engaging so much. Most of the erudite and informed have departed and there seems to be a brand of knee-jerk reactionaries in their place.

Apart from two or three individuals, the days of proactive, intelligent discussion seem to have gone.

@demifeministgal you nailed it.

@Geoffrey51 Thanks mate. A 12 year old Glenlivit would be lovely

These are likely fabricated and/or enhanced to earn points.

These perpetrators ARE NOT MEN they are boy diseased animals manipulative predatory cretins of male entitlement

@makeshiftmania

Bruce is an old friend. He was a Baptist minister before becoming an atheist. A clinical counselor who supervises other counselors, Bruce is highly intelligent, funny and wise. I trust Bruce's judgment.

What that man said was NOT "a joke that fell flat." What he said was cruel, horrifying and extremely insensitive. What he said chilled me to my core. It's not "a bit creepy." As a small woman, I don't feel safe in this world.

Don't be an insensitive jerk. Show empathy instead.

@LiterateHiker I presume it isn’t me you are calling an insensitive jerk?

@makeshiftmania

You minimized my feelings by calling it "an attempt at a joke that fell flat." This is typical of men who are insensitive jerks.

I hate it when people say that, especially when a woman is describing surviving a predator. Nobody "picks" a predator.

@Mofo1953

Don't blame me for men's bad behavior. Online dating is like a blind date. Before meeting, I:

1. Insist on a phone conversation.

2. Look up the man on WA Courts- Search Case Records.

3. Arrange to meet at a safe public place like a cafe' for lunch. (daylight)

4. Arrive early. Tell the waiter I'm meeting a new man. Arrange a signal with the waiter if things go south. Ask if someone can walk me to my car. Restaurant staff are happy to help.

@LiterateHiker sorry, my attempt at being funny in a one liner didn't work.

@bigpawbullets

In America today, 90% of men are obese or overweight, and 60% of women. Lots of men are attracted to me.

Studies show with online dating, 80% of men and women lie about their age, weight, height (short guys), profession, marital status, etc.

You never know who is going to show up. It's like a blind date.

@vjohnson51

My photos are dated with the month and year. My main photo was taken on 11/14/2019.

"I got you to meet me, didn't I?" a man asked defensively. "It's marketing."

"It's lying!" I retorted.

He saw my face when he stepped out of his truck. His profile said he was 55. He looked like the grandfather of the man in his photos (actually, his son). He admitted to being 74. Liar. He looked older.

@LiterateHiker I've had women have friends stake out the meeting location. If a guy that deceptive arrives, the friend alerts the woman and they both get the fuck out of Dodge before any meeting occurs.

@CallMeDave
Terrifying. Do they descend upon the guilty fellow at the signal of the offended "date"? Claw hammers and pitchforks raised over their heads, ready to strike???

@vjohnson51

"I got a manicure for this?" I thought. I let him buy me lunch. After all, I drove to the summit of Stevens Pass.

The funniest part was when he showed me a cashier's check for a million dollars made out to him. He had sold a house in Seattle.

Apparently he thought money was catnip to women. Delusional.

@bigpawbullets yes

Instincts are good. Skills are even better.

@oldFloyd

Online dating is like a blind date. Before meeting, I:

1. Insist on a phone conversation.

2. Look up the man on WA Courts- Search Case Records.

3. Arrange to meet at a safe public place like a cafe' for lunch. (daylight)

4. Arrive early. Tell the waiter I'm meeting a new man. Arrange a signal with the waiter if things go south. Ask if someone can walk me to my car. Restaurant staff are happy to help.