The fight was on as soon as the attacker began walking back to the front of the bus...but the older gentleman remained seated (vulnerable).
He got lucky , because apparently the kid underestimated the situation.
The youngster had his right hand on a grab-bar , while he launched a half-hearted left somewhere to chest area. If he had thrown a decisive strike to
a target area , or series of strikes , the victim might have never made it to his feet.
Most martial artists trained in street defense know that when someone keeps repeating: "say that again...go on , say that one more time and I'll
kick your A$$!" or "do that one more time , I dare you!" etc...that individual doesn't
reeeally want to fight...he's actually trying to
give you both an out...and the situation can usually be diffused by simply , quietly , walking away...unless ego intervenes.
Under a bit of pressure from his peers , the kid painted himself into a corner...and the older fellow just couldn't keep his mouth shut. Lets hope
some lessons were learned....on both sides...but I kinda doubt it.
Anyway , on a more humorous note , when the youngster stumbles-back to his seat bleeding profusely , still muttering threats...am I the only one that
flashed-back to this scene from Monty Python ?
[edit on 17-2-2010 by OBE1]