>In general, I have found that training in martial arts or similar forms of defense has made me *less* likely to take risks of this type, not *more* likely.

First, I'll say that when I said I'm willing to do things more risky then most people, this goes about as far as walking through the city at night (but not the back alleys) but does NOT go nearly as far as thinking "Hey look, a guy who looks really pissed, I'm going to go over there and say 'Hi, you suck' (because that goes WAY beyond what I consider acceptable risk).

> Exposure to various things during martial arts training makes you more aware of possible threats. Also, training makes you more alert to your surroundings at all times.

The alertness is probably the key to the whole thing. Always know your surroundings, espessially in situations where your are uncomfortable in. The trick is that, if possible, you don't want to get involved. The idea is that I can generally tell what threats are contained within certain areas and what to expect.

> I noticed people going through different stages of confidence during martial arts training...and then usually go on to a state of confidence without seeking out unnecessary risk just because they think they can handle it. Have you noticed this? Does it continue/change much at the higher levels?

I actually don't think that overconfidence is a big issue in my class, everyone in it knows someone else who can beat them. Myself, I'm confident in my abilities if I ever need them. However, I'm not so confident as to do something stupid. You don't look for trouble; if you do you'll probably end up with a much shorter lifespan. If there's an area that you just feel is trouble, avoid it. If you get involved, run if you can. If they have a hold on you, break the hold an run. If you're surrounded (a situation which you should NEVER be in), try to go though who you think is the easiest person and run. Fight only if you absolutely must. Even when you reach the higher levels, you *know* that there are always going to be people who can easily kick your butt, espessially if they're armed or have the advantage of number.

One thing that I like about our particular Karate class is that we do a few 'real life' simulations, including simulations with things like knives (ours are rubber) and guns (ours shoot elastic bands). I remember a certain exercise with the gun where, at the beginning, all of us got shot, but by the end there was about a 40% survival rate (assuming that any shot would be lethal); 40% is better then nothing... (but I don't think that anyone is going to go out looking for a guy with a gun and think "Hey, if I go against him I have a 40% chance to live, better then most people!")

> I think I'm more cautious than many people who have no martial arts background. It's more a matter of knowing how to *avoid* situations than being able to win a fight.

Absolutely. The 'battle' , if you will, begins when you enter an uncomfortable position. If you get out by avoiding everything, you win. If you are forced into a situation where you have to fight, you already almost lost the battle simply because you got into that situation.

> Brunnen-"it's been a while, and I only ever made it to the mid level belts anyway, so feel free to say I'm talking rubbish"G

-Ka"Not rubbish, you actually hit dead on"z!