Do you flinch if someone acts like they are going to hit you?

[Rio]

Or something else near you, surprises you?

[Mr. Megidramon]

Tis not wise to threaten someone bigger than most people...

And as such very few people bother me.

[🜂∴🜏 Cassie]

Yeah. It's a reflex.

[iza]

Depends on the person. If I don't know them, they probably end up regretting it.
If it is a situation, it also depends.

[s w e k]

Nope- I'm getting kicked and/or punched a few times a week.

[AustrAlien2010]

Nah. It depends on the acting performance.
Take for example your average first person shooter. You could be more easily startled by an enemy that jumps towards you, then an enemy that slowly walks to you.

[Martin Harris]

If I don't expect it I will flinch, not really a sign of weakness, if someone was going to hit me I would like if I was ready for it.

[hedy]

always, an automatic reaction from me

[ʙᴜɴ.ᴇ]

I'm kind of a timid person so if anyone acts like they might hurt me even for fun it makes me jump.

also loud noises, being yelled at, people calling my name, etc all make me flinch in a way too.

[Trofast 🤕]

yup- better safe than sorry

[Galactic Yoshi]

Yes, my anxiety tells me to expect the worst

[White Knight]

I resist the temptation because the reaction to not flinching is always met with respect and a little admiration.

Besides, if someone is going to try and sucker-punch me, they would only do that from behind.

Conversely, the flinchers are always laughed at...so never flinch.

Of course, having said that, I should also point out that I'm not above squealing like a little girl when I am startled...fortunately, that doesn't happen often.

[aG| Wardog]

Originally posted by White Knight:

I resist the temptation because the reaction to not flinching is always met with respect and a little admiration.

Besides, if someone is going to try and sucker-punch me, they would only do that from behind.

Conversely, the flinchers are always laughed at...so never flinch.

Of course, having said that, I should also point out that I'm not above squealing like a little girl when I am startled...fortunately, that doesn't happen often.

There’s nothing wrong with flinching imo. It’s a natural response, and I wouldn’t say it’s a bad thing to not fight that. Sure, if someone’s doing it as a joke, it could seem silly, but if there’s a genuine threat, it can help, so I’d rather not fight that instinct in the case of that happening.

[White Knight]

Originally posted by Wardog:

There’s nothing wrong with flinching imo.

I'm not being judgemental, I'm describing my experience. People do this a lot from what I've seen, from highschool to the street. They throw a fake punch or a slap to the balls and pull up short. If you flinch, everyone laughs and the guy (usually some guy, but not exclusively) gloats and says "gotcha, hahaha". Sometimes, if they've seen "Stand By Me", they'll give you two shots in the arm and say "two for flinching...hahaha".

When you don't flinch, that same guy has a stupid look on his face and the other folks go, "Oooooh, he didn't even flinch...don't mess with that guy".

I didn't make the rules and I don't go around trying to make people flinch...much.

With a username like "Wardog", I'm surprised you're not more familiar with alpha male shenanigans.

Of course it's stupid, and that's another great reason not to let others force you to react for their own entertainment. What's the worst that can happen? You get hit? If it's that kind of situation, you're not getting out of it without taking a punch anyway.

All I know is that I don't flinch and I've never been hit as a result. I understand that most people do, and I've seen how that plays out. I choose not to.

***********
To put it another way (and this is a little judgy), it's about the unspoken words.

Flinching is not saying, "Please no, not in the face"

Not flinching is not saying, "Go ahead and take your best shot...see what happens."

[aG| Wardog]

Originally posted by White Knight:

Originally posted by Wardog:

There’s nothing wrong with flinching imo.

I'm not being judgemental, I'm describing my experience. People do this a lot from what I've seen, from highschool to the street. They throw a fake punch or a slap to the balls and pull up short. If you flinch, everyone laughs and the guy (usually some guy, but not exclusively) gloats and says "gotcha, hahaha". Sometimes, if they've seen "Stand By Me", they'll give you two shots in the arm and say "two for flinching...hahaha".

When you don't flinch, that same guy has a stupid look on his face and the other folks go, "Oooooh, he didn't even flinch...don't mess with that guy".

I didn't make the rules and I don't go around trying to make people flinch...much.

With a username like "Wardog", I'm surprised you're not more familiar with alpha male shenanigans.

Of course it's stupid, and that's another great reason not to let others force you to react for their own entertainment. What's the worst that can happen? You get hit? If it's that kind of situation, you're not getting out of it without taking a punch anyway.

All I know is that I don't flinch and I've never been hit as a result. I understand that most people do, and I've seen how that plays out. I choose not to.

I figured you weren't, though I can see how my response can come across that way. Apologies for that. I agree that it's daft, the way I see it, it's not tough to act that way, it's stupid, since it can screw you over in the face of a real threat.

I'm reasonably familiar with alpha male shenanigans, I just picked the name based on it being from my favourite game. XD

Personally, I've never actually had someone try to hit me, past mucking about with mates, though I've been told I'm stronger than I realise, and hit harder than I intend even if I'm being playful, so if there's a real threat, I *might* be fine, so flinching could be an asset there.

[White Knight]

Originally posted by Wardog:

...I agree that it's daft, the way I see it, it's not tough to act that way, it's stupid, since it can screw you over in the face of a real threat...

That is true, there is a very important difference between actual danger and nonsense. It would be very unwise to try and not move at the wrong time.

I don't know what is "best", I just know that being the butt of some jerk's "joke" is something I would rather avoid, not flinching is an effortless way to turn the tables.

I added an edit in there while you were writing btw, not sure if you saw that part?