Someone tried to punch me this weekend in Barcelona and I dodged it like the Matrix. This is a storytime video about what happened, why I stepped in, and the 3 lessons I took away from the experience about mental health, accountability, and knowing when to act.
Someone Tried to Punch Me — What Happened
I was walking to the train station to pick up my girlfriend. Living in Barcelona, you learn quickly that the area around train stations can be unpredictable — pickpockets, random incidents, and just a month earlier there was news about a teenager walking through the Metro smacking strangers in the back of the head.
About 15 minutes from my house, I saw a man and woman arguing with an older guy wearing a backpack. He was smaller than me but acting erratically. Then out of nowhere, this guy walked up to a completely uninvolved woman and hit her in the back of the head for no reason at all. Everyone around was frozen in shock.
Why I Decided to Step In
When someone tried to punch me after I confronted him, I realized most people were just standing there watching. I sprinted after the guy because I kept thinking — what if that was my girlfriend, my sister, or my mother? He had also tried to steal a bag from the woman he hit, and it took three other men just to pull the bag away from him.
I grabbed him by his backpack and asked him what he was doing. His response was to throw a wild haymaker swing at my face. It was completely telegraphed — I saw it coming from a mile away and ducked. The punch did not land. He then tried to throw a metal street barricade at me, but I grabbed it and smashed it down. I am clearly stronger than this guy and he knew it.
Someone Tried to Punch Me — 3 Lessons Learned
1. Mental Health Is Not Taken Seriously Enough
We are living in a time where mental health issues are everywhere but the support systems are not keeping up. This man was clearly not well, yet he was walking freely through a busy city hitting strangers. The proof that mental health awareness needs more attention is all around us if we just look.
2. Accountability Is Disappearing
Too many people do harmful things without facing real consequences. Whether it is anonymous keyboard warriors saying things they would never say face to face, or someone physically attacking strangers on the street, the lack of accountability is becoming a serious problem. If you go around hitting people, someone needs to hold you accountable.
3. Do Not Just Record — Take Action
When someone tried to punch me, nobody around pulled out a phone to record. But in too many incidents, bystanders reach for their phones instead of helping. If you are in a position to safely intervene, do it. Do not put yourself in danger, but also do not be the person making a video for social media while someone else is getting hurt.
Self-Defense Laws in Spain
One important thing I learned from this experience is how self-defense works in Spain. Spain is not a stand-your-ground country. You are only allowed a proportionate response. Since the guy swung at me and missed, if I had knocked him out in response, I could have been the one getting arrested. The fact that I dodged his punch means legally the threat was over. This is very different from laws in other countries and something to be aware of if you live in or visit Spain.
The police eventually arrived and spoke with the man but did not handcuff him right away. He even tried to walk away into the Metro at one point. After waiting 25 minutes we left without knowing whether he was formally arrested.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do if someone tried to punch you?
Stay calm and avoid escalating the situation. If the punch misses, create distance and call the police. In many countries including Spain, responding with force beyond what is proportionate to the threat can get you in legal trouble.
Is Barcelona safe for walking at night?
Barcelona is generally safe but like any major city it has areas and situations where you need to stay alert. Pickpocketing near train stations and tourist areas is common. Random incidents like the one in this video are less common but do happen.
Should you intervene when you see someone being attacked?
Only if you can do so safely. Assess the situation, your own physical ability, and the risk involved. Never put yourself in serious danger, but if you are able to help, stepping in can make a real difference. At minimum, call the police immediately.
References
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