You don't agitate. You don't instigate.

You don't agitate. You don't instigate. You with all your might try to de-escalate. -mw
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Hows that working out? -UWP

You forgot the vital last part of what I said. Are you an editor from NBC?

Since you ask, though, of the top half-dozen threatening situations I can recall just offhand, three involving guns aimed at me, I walked away every time, uninjured all but once, and the six other-ethnicity fellows who jumped me and blackened both my eyes let me go with no worse, even returned my property.

Do I always expect that? No. But so far so good. Speak softly - there's remarkable efficacy to turning the other cheek when properly done. I've also found carrying a large stick helpful on more than one occasion.