(8) would only turn into a feeding frenzy if one does it with weakness. If one speaks up with strength, then it's more of a "I'm happy to move but no one F's with me...I deserve better than to be treated like that" which would gain respect, rather than painting a bullseye.
"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't realize I was blocking your view! But hey, chill out...we're all having a good time here...no problem!"
This could of course backfire and start a fight among males. I'm female so I can get away with saying something like that. Men, maybe not!
However if one does (8) in a meek way, then yes, it's setting self up for more taunts.
As one who got taunted and teased mercilessly as a child, I'm well familiar with all those options. Now, since I am a much stronger person, I'd go with (8) or maybe a combination of (7) and (8). It's always best to inject some humor if possible, to soften it up, if one can do it without sacrificing one's dignity.
But if I'm not feeling strong enough to pull it off, or if the person is drunk and saying something could start a fight, then it's better to just move without any confrontation. Let him feel powerful. As long as it's just an isolated incident, and no one is being physically threatened, who cares what he thinks? Especially at an event like a football watching party...where the testosterone is flying and splattering everywhere! It's really not worth starting a confrontation over. I'd say, in most cases like that, I'd let it slide. In a less emotionally charged situation, with less risk of escalation and no drunk people, then sure, speak up. If this happened at a business meeting instead of a football party, that's a totally different environment.
General rule of thumb: If there's alcohol present, I'd say let it slide. It's just not worth it. Take the high road and let them say whatever they want. They probably won't even remember 30 seconds later anyway. It's not worth getting a bullseye painted on you; neither is it worth risking a violent confrontation. How many barroom brawls started over something petty like that?
"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't realize I was blocking your view! But hey, chill out...we're all having a good time here...no problem!"
This could of course backfire and start a fight among males. I'm female so I can get away with saying something like that. Men, maybe not!
However if one does (8) in a meek way, then yes, it's setting self up for more taunts.
As one who got taunted and teased mercilessly as a child, I'm well familiar with all those options. Now, since I am a much stronger person, I'd go with (8) or maybe a combination of (7) and (8). It's always best to inject some humor if possible, to soften it up, if one can do it without sacrificing one's dignity.
But if I'm not feeling strong enough to pull it off, or if the person is drunk and saying something could start a fight, then it's better to just move without any confrontation. Let him feel powerful. As long as it's just an isolated incident, and no one is being physically threatened, who cares what he thinks? Especially at an event like a football watching party...where the testosterone is flying and splattering everywhere! It's really not worth starting a confrontation over. I'd say, in most cases like that, I'd let it slide. In a less emotionally charged situation, with less risk of escalation and no drunk people, then sure, speak up. If this happened at a business meeting instead of a football party, that's a totally different environment.
General rule of thumb: If there's alcohol present, I'd say let it slide. It's just not worth it. Take the high road and let them say whatever they want. They probably won't even remember 30 seconds later anyway. It's not worth getting a bullseye painted on you; neither is it worth risking a violent confrontation. How many barroom brawls started over something petty like that?