Fights are never as they appear in cowboy, or other, films.
One of the ghastliest flats I had in London was in Marylebone, in Paddington Street W1; just down the road from the Beatles 'Apple' shop.
Although the address suggested it was quite smart, in reality is was a damp Dickensian cess-pit.
One evening I returned to the house and found my flatmate, Nick, rolling about on the floor, grappling with our landlord. Not what one expects to encounter after a hard day's work.
I stood watching them for a while, not knowing quite what to do, as their arms flailed about only occasionally making contact.
Finally I decided that the best thing to do was to bring the fight to an end, and I prepared myself to hit the landlord. This wasn't easy as they were rolling around on the floor and not presenting me with a good opportunity.
Eventually the landlord seemed to be getting the better of things, and managed to be on top; I threw one sharp punch to his chin. He dropped to the floor and my flatmate pushed him off triumphantly, and stood up.
"What the bloody hell was all that about?" I asked.
"Oh nothing" replied Nick; and that was that.
When the landlord revived he told us to be out of our flat before the following mid-day; which we were quite happy to do.
So, back to my opening sentence. Fighting is never a question of exchanging perfect punches to an adversary, they are usually much more like the weird (and slightly comical) encounter I described above. I only offered one punch, and my fist hurt like crazy. Imagine punching a brick wall.
When John Wayne threw dozens of punches, received dozens of punches, and fell into numerous tables and doors, he and his evil opponent ended-up dusting themselves down, and not even rubbing their chins.
I can assure you it's never like that.
41 comments:
What is it with blokies? That testosterone has a lot to answer for!
It's all good friendly rivalry.
Oh, I've been in a few fist fights in my life, not always the innocent victim either. I blame my brother for teaching his baby sister how to fist fight. Once broke my arm though - and got thrown out of the pub. Aaaa, glorious youth..
You sound like a feisty gal. I taught my daughter to throw a straight right; she used it too, when she was about 7.
How right you are Cro. Many years ago I saw two grown men 'fight' and it was not like the movies at all.
You can readabout the incident here..... http://magnonsmeanderings.blogspot.fr/2012/09/the-sunday-story-playground-bully.html
Usually very ungainly.
Sometimes in my youth we used to go to the Palais de Danse on a Saturday night - there were always fights breaking out which usually ended up with broken bottles and nasty injuries - no, not like film-fights at all.
They never are, and nor is war anything like video games.
Managed to live life without fighting since I was sixteen, when I punched the offender square in the face with everything I had. End of fight. Nobody troubled me after that.
Do men actually fight like girls then ?
I've never thrown a punch in my life. I'm sure it would be a comical sight if I tried!
Nope. I've never been one for fighting either.
I have never been in a fight. Seeing girls fighting is even worse than men.
Ihave only punched one person.....an old boyfriend who pulled a knife out of the kitchen drawer when drunk
And i walloped him good
I haven't been in any actual 'fights', but I've thrown a few single punches in my time.
Don't start Jennifer; it's not very 'lady-like'.
Good for you!
I agree, all that hair pulling; no thanks.
That's when it's good to have a really good right hook under your belt.
I remember my husband being so proud of our son when he got into a fight. He told me that he never did that and wished he had. Men!
Can't watch the fights on TV. Pretty faces smashed up, teeth flying, watch out for the implants! Ouch, that's gotta hurt. Sweat and motivation and all that. We're an aggressive culture in America. Fight, fight. What're we fighting for? I don't know, Larry. Hit me.
I trust that your son won?
I make a point of NEVER watching any film or TV that glamorises war or violence.
I also don't watch films or TV shows which glorify fighting and violence. I have never thrown a punch - often wish I could! But then it would be like when I throw a stone; it ends up over my shoulder behind me!
Since film fights were mentioned, yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of watching 'Destry Rides Again' with James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich. There is one amazing fight between Marlene and another woman in the saloon -- It looked incredibly authentic...
Always thought it wasn't ladylike to be physically violent, but when my daughter's came of school age it seems girl fights were common. Yes, hair pulling and bashing heads on cement floors. In a generation, how things changed. Never have been hit or hit back; would have to sucker punch someone now as I would be too slow to connect. Can't imagine it all. Don't want to be around that kind of riff raff.
I also don't watch films that have explosions, car crashes, etc. I'm quite limited.
That's a great old film.
We're sadly in an age when many girls want to imitate men, which includes brawling. As you say, not very lady-like.
Tut, tut boys - a couple of politicians do you reckon ?
It's never duels at dawn is it!
Great story, but Tenpin wins for good behavoir!
Always throw the first punch, and make it hard, fast.....and count.
I will take your word for it Cro - ladies never fight.
As Norman Wisdom always advised "Get your retaliation in first".
Those were the days!
Nasty bunch, aren't we.
Quite right.
I'm not a person who approves of fighting and I suffered at school because I always responded with words which bullies usually detest far more than physical retorts and they respond accordingly. However I learned my lesson. So when I read your 2012 post about Tenpin my first thought was just how proud I'd have been as a Dad. Principles are all very well but there's a real world out there!
I think the closest a movie fight scene might come to real life is the ones in the Bridget Jones movies. :) In more modern times, I was taught as a martial artist that you must try never to end up on the ground, because your opponent often has plenty of friends just waiting to kick your head in while you are down, and no amount of skill can get you out of that one unscathed.
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