What if you look like a pushover? How can you look like someone who is not to be messed with?

It is not an ideal situation to be treated as an easy target in social interactions. It is possible to adapt from within to safeguard your interests.

While one cannot choose one's appearance, one can adjust one's inner core to communicate boundaries and limits to the outside world and avoid excessive interference.

Our social circles are generally fixed, and word of mouth can form. Even if our appearance is not easily perceived as difficult to deal with, we can let those around us know through our interactions that we are not to be messed with.

It is beneficial to embrace one's personality and habits. Over time, others will come to understand these aspects of one's character. As one expands their social circle, new acquaintances will also gain insight into these traits.

It is possible to make adjustments to one's appearance to create a more favourable first impression. This may include changes to clothing style, makeup, and gaze.

I had a junior high school classmate who was relatively short, approximately 1.55 meters, with a round face and a youthful voice. She initially appeared to be a gentle individual. However, after getting to know her, I learned that she could elicit a strong emotional response from a 1.85-meter-tall man if she became upset with him. Her demeanor was strikingly different.

It is unavoidable. Individuals who are unfamiliar with her demeanor may unwittingly provoke her, but she will never allow anyone to take advantage of her again. Consequently, those around her will not engage in any further bullying behavior.

In general, individuals who interact socially do not engage in bullying behaviors toward young girls. They tend to understand the character of the girl before resorting to such actions.

Furthermore, individuals who are discourteous and lack respect for others need not be concerned with the potential consequences of their actions.

Accordingly, the objective of our "counterattack" is to gain an accurate understanding of our own character and circumstances, in order to identify the optimal means and timing for asserting our rights and defending ourselves from bullying when necessary.

It is reasonable to conclude that individuals who appear vulnerable or susceptible to intimidation may elicit a protective response. My initial inclination was to safeguard her interests, which led to a defensive stance rather than a confrontational one.

Our appearance affords us the advantage of being able to discern whether someone is a decent person or not from the outset.

You don't want to be bullied, and that's a good thing. Here are some tips to help you appear stronger and less likely to be bullied:

1. Build self-confidence. Bullying can't stand up to self-confidence. Make it stronger by boosting your sense of self-worth, facing challenges and difficulties positively, and developing your own interests and hobbies.

2. Stay calm: When faced with provocation or bullying, stay calm and avoid emotional reactions. Take a deep breath, distract yourself, and respond to the situation rationally.

3. Set clear boundaries. Make it clear to others what your boundaries are and what you don't like. They need to know you have your own principles and bottom line.

4. Seek support. If you feel you cannot handle the bullying alone, you can and should seek support from friends, family, or trusted colleagues. They can provide help and support and make you feel less alone.

5. Build a social network. Spend time with positive, like-minded people. This will make you feel safer and more comfortable.

6. Develop skills: Learn self-defense. Martial arts or self-defense techniques can help you protect yourself if necessary.

7. Get professional help. If the situation is serious and you can't handle it alone, get help from a counselor.

You don't live to please others. You live to love yourself. And the higher your self-respect, the less likely you are to be bullied.

You've got this!