B is for Bashing

“Phil stepped forward. “F#@* off! You aren’t allowed on my property.”

With both hands, David grabbed Phil by his shirtfront and swung him away from the door over the balcony railing. Then David leapt the railing as Phil rose to his feet. His fist crushed Phil’s nose and David heard a pop.”

-Loathe Your Neighbor ch. 16

 

Apparently, an expected, even anticipated part of a night out on the tiles, is a bashing. Get yourself drunk then look for a fight. Choose a spurious reason for your assault or simply knock the stuffing out of your victim for the heck of it. Now, before your protests deafen me, I am not saying that all people behave this way. Of course they don’t, and it is true to say that not even the majority of people behave this way. In fact, most people don’t go out and get drunk for fun. Many do. While there may be quite a few people doing the same thing at home, I am not walking down the dark road of domestic violence. I’m standing on the metaphorical corner, outside the pub, stating that there are enough people who think excessive drinking and bashing people go hand in glove, to make me nervous about late nights in the company of heavy drinkers. But wait, you cry, you are talking about the alleged link between alcohol and violence. Alleged? Read the stats. I wish I could stop, but there are also people living in our society who don’t require booze to fuel their violence. You might have one living next to you. What would it take for you to throw him over the balcony?