Gandhi clearly weren't born in the 21st century were if you don't fight back, chances are you're going to end up in hospital, and that's if you're lucky.

Welcome to the real world Sticks, it's full of $hits, 'rising above it' doesn't work.

Do that and be a pushover

As opposed to be seen as being seen as a pariah

what the op said was really bad,
but imo men hitting women is just as bad as women hitting men.