> Throw punches (literally), let them be suspended, arrested, do everything you can do to punish everyone who tries to mess with you that way. You will gain respect, because you have to, even if you sometimes lose a fight - legal or physically.

It pains me to report that this is the only thing that came close to completely stopping my bullying and I have the multiple suspensions to prove it. I have to say that I'd be much worse off today had I not decided to defend myself, sometimes physically.

In one instance, a larger tougher boy (I was a scrawny kid) kept messing with me in study hall, kept challenging me to fight after school. One day I finally got fed up and with a bit of grit in my teeth I stood up and said yes, fine, it's time to fight after school. Know what? He patted me on the shoulder and said "you're cool, man, you're cool." ?!?!?!