I also never tolerate cruelty to others. Not then, not now. If I was around, it didn't happen. I didn't care who the perp was, they backed down or went down. If anyone had tried to hurt me, I would have stomped them flat and then gotten mean.... Same for anyone around me. I'm not even sure how I managed it since I was never in a fight. I'm told I have a wicked stare-down. But basically I think that it's because I know in my heart I would go after them with no limits until they were defeated... and in cases like that, I don't play "fair." I believe that people sense that at some level.

I honestly can't even see why anyone ever accepts being designated into a group by outside sources. No one can put you into an echelon unless you agree to it. My eldest understood this and spanned all the various cliches. Not part of the wastrels, athletes, uber-geeks, smart/popular kids, rich/popular kids, party crowd, skaters, druggies, bandies or any other subset. She graduated near the top wearing her ragged skater pants, elf ears and purple hair. She gave speeches about Girl Scouting and community service. She played intramural sports, but didn't take the effort to go varsity. Like me, no one ever tried to start anything with her. Part of many groups but not defined by the groups. She was simply herself. My middle one will probably follow a similar path but more on the geeky side. My youngest is absolutely driven by peer pressure and acceptance. Poor thing.