My post on psychological warfare (Power of Suggestion) made me think about some of the advice Shihan gives concerning self-defense. He says that if you are ever attacked, you should do something really bizarre, like start clucking like a chicken. The theory is that it will take your attacker's brain some time to process it, and hopefully give you an opportunity to escape. It might even make them change their mind about chosing you as a victim, because no one wants to fight with a crazy person. Seriously, if someone started clucking, wouldn't you be like "Woah, I'm outta here!"I just don't know if I would have the presence of mind to be able to remember to do something like that if I was attacked. To make it an ingrained response, I think you would have to practice it, just like any other technique. As if my dojo guys and gals don't think I'm weird enough already! "Um, why is that lady over there clucking like a chicken?", "Oh, that's Gina, just stay away from her. If you get too close, she will jump on your back and start wailing like a banshee."