Try saying something like, “Hey, everything’s cool. I’m sorry I bumped into you. I wasn’t trying to start a fight. I just tripped. ”

For example, you might say something like, ““Hey, dude (girl)! I love your shirt! I can’t fight someone with such great fashion sense!” or “Wait, maybe you can help me. How do I get to Willard Street?”

For example, you might back away from them and reiterate that you have no desire to fight, such as by saying, “I don’t want to fight. I’m just going to leave. ”

If the person stops pursuing you, then this might be a good time to run away.

If you have the opportunity to escape or if you think you can outrun the person based on their build, then you might try running for it as a last ditch effort to avoid a fight.

Staying in motion will make you a harder target than if you stay still, so move back and forth or in a circle around them if they start to attack you.

It’s okay to continue to talk or yell during the fight if needed. Just try not to do so when they’re close enough to hit you.

However, only do this if you are certain you can hit their fist with your forehead. Moving in the direction of a punch aimed at your nose or mouth could injure you more.

Don’t suck in your stomach. This won’t have the same effect as flexing your abs.

Continuing to move back and forth around your opponent will help make it easier for you to change position if you see a punch coming your way, so keep moving!

For example, if you have your keys in your hand, hold them in your fist and push one of the keys between your middle and index finger to create a claw. This will make your punches more effective. If you have an umbrella in your hand, hold it like a bat and get ready to hit the person with it like you’d hit a baseball. If you’re holding a hot cup of coffee, loosen the lid and throw it in their face to incapacitate them while you escape.

This will hurt and they should stop momentarily to recover. Run away while they do.

Run away while they’re recovering from the blow.

This move may cause someone to lose consciousness if you execute it properly, but don’t hang around even if they do lose consciousness. Go somewhere safe and call emergency services for help.

Make sure to run away even if the person is unconscious. Call for help when you are somewhere safe.