Just gotta share this story.
Got a very good friend who is very creative about getting himself out of any kind of trouble, including angry spouse, police officers, angry fans of the opposite football team etc.
So we were at a bar, the bunch of us. Saturday night, bar packed with people. We were already few drinks in, he split to go to toilet. I guess he must have shoved someone on his way there cause next thing we saw was him surrounded by 3 guys. Two friends and me stood up and walked towards him wondering why the shit hasn't still hit the fan. When we came close enough we saw him with the most bewildered look in his eyes, and drooling from the corner of his mouth, looking at them without blinking. The guys actually just stood there frozen wondering what to do. When they came to their senses, they concluded he was retarded and backed down.
I got massive respect for people who are able to back down when threatened. Of course, there are some situations when you're forced to stand your ground. Too many factors involved.