Man...I have the same problem in Philadelphia, always have. Thing is, I used to look like a huge ******* because I never smiled.
Things are different now, I do smile and don't constantly look pissed off like I used to. I also have a year and a half of MMA training under my belt now so I REALLY KNOW that I could take anyone without experience fighting.
In spite of this, I still get fvcked with every once in a while. For example, I was walking into a Wawa with a friend (I'm 5'11", 180lbs, my friend, also my training partner since I started out in MMA, is 6'2" and about 230lbs) and these three guys were standing outside (its next to a bar). As we were walking in, we hear them say "fagots". As we're leaving, one of them hits my friends coffee out of his hand.
Seriously, who does this sh!t? People in big cities are ridiculous sometimes. Anyway, we end up knocking two of them out and hauling ass because there are cops right down the street and my friend is on probation. If he gets caught for ANYTHING he's serving jail time.
As for your problem, I strongly suggest formal martial arts training, either in the form of any style of boxing or MMA. I started out with muay thai kick boxing and after a few months I was no longer afraid of anyone, period.
They teach you what to do in those street situations. They teach you exactly where to hit someone to knock them out (chin, temple, behind the ear) and why it works, they teach you how to gain the edge psychologically, etc. It's just a great idea. Everyone should take martial arts in my opinion but I feel it is especially appropriate for your situation.
Hell, you might even become a great fighter if what you say about your strength and pain tolerance is true.
Good luck. Any questions about martial arts, pm me. 1 year muay thai kick boxing experience, 1.5 years MMA training, tung soo do black belt. I could probably answer any questions you might have.
Blank.
