Sometimes they just know

[PegLeg45]

It's not that I'm "prickly" so much as I manage to keep a straight face  unbelievable situations. 
That and the little trouble I did have got talked about. 

That's another thing I do like about living in a small-town rural area........everyone knows, or knows of, everyone. Get yourself out of a couple of 'sticky' situations and from then on the locals pretty much leave you alone.

[tombogan03884]

Style points count  
That, and I'm polite to every one until it's time to go nose to breast bone with some a hole then I don't hesitate and I don't back up.

[fightingquaker13]

Style points count  
That, and I'm polite to every one until it's time to go nose to breast bone with some a hole then I don't hesitate and I don't back up.

I will again quote my great grandaddy "There are plenty of reasons to kill a man, but none to be rude to him". You get a reputation for that and be unfailingly polite, even to the A-holes? Folks will leave you alone.
FQ13

[Big Mickey]

  Isn't the best tactic to assure cover, obtain concealment, and to be somewhere else really fast?  I'd rather avoid than to get a rep.  It's healthier.  YMMV.

[tombogan03884]

Isn't the best tactic to assure cover, obtain concealment, and to be somewhere else really fast?  I'd rather avoid than to get a rep.  It's healthier.  YMMV.

No it's not.
The best tactic is not to get into the problem in the first place.
Anything that aids that is healthier than all the cover in the world.

[Sponsor]

[bulldog75]

I tell my wife there are three types of people in this world.
1.   Sheep – they walk around thinking nothing will happen to them until it does.
2.   Wolves – criminals that prey on the sheep.
3.   Sheepdogs – those that protect their own and others. (CCWs, police, and military)
Usually the sheep will persecute the sheepdogs because they did not talk nice to the mean wolf. Maybe they were a little rough when the dealt with them. It is funny that the liberals take the side of the ones that prey on them.

[tombogan03884]

That's because liberals are like bad children, it may be negative, but it's still attention.

[TAB]

You can do every thing right and still have bad guys come after you. 

[Pathfinder]

Isn't the best tactic to assure cover, obtain concealment, and to be somewhere else really fast?  I'd rather avoid than to get a rep.  It's healthier.  YMMV.

If you're just passing through an area, your suggestions work. If you're part of a community, or trying to build a community, then it is better to stand up and be counted, to be known for who you are.

Of course, knowing where there is cover is always a good thing! 

[MikeBjerum]

You can do every thing right and still have bad guys come after you. 

And that boys and girls is the reason it is more than just staying out of the bad part of town.  Get your weapon, know how to use it, practice with it often, and don't leave home without it.