It all has to do with how you carry yourself.
Problems arise when people act hard and tough when they are not. The thing is that some one WILL ”check your nuts” if you portray yourself to be something you’re not. And if you’re running around with your chest out, that is just asking for trouble, especially if you ain’t tough.
Think of it like this: you claim to be a prize fighter, so you dedcide to step in the ring with Iron Mike. Now what do you think will happen. Next thing that happens (after you’re exposed as being weak, but like to act tough) is that the vultures come out to pick away at what remains of your body and soul.
Acting tough is literally like challenging anyone and everyone to a fight, so you better be able to stand up. That doesn’t mean you have to win, but you will have to fight back if you are to gain respect. I know plenty of dudes that aren’t good fighters, but because they physically stick up for themselves and won’t be ”bullied” dudes leave them alone.
People look for easy prey. Some people don’t fight back. This only leads to continued predatory acts being perpetrated against you by certain types of people. But the toughest dudes are generally extremely humble, quiet individuals who don’t go looking for problems (watch out for the quiet guys). Quiet does not equate with weakness, yet people often make that mistake.
Also, it is important for me to note that there are LOTS of non-violent, ”weak” people in prison who do just fine. The prison population is full of regular people that made some bad choices in their lifes. You’re in prison for breaking a law (usually non-violent ones), which doesn’t make you some automatic bad-ass, so don’t act like one. Despite what most might think: criminals often have great characters and despise all fakeness.
So, unless you are a snitch, child molester, or ”cell theif”, then you shouldn’t have any worries. Stay quiet, mind your business, and observe your surroundings BEFORE you start interacting with people. That way you see how things work and how predatory situations develop. If you aren’t a bad dude, but you’re not tough, there may even be people who stick up for you in those situations.
If you’re a good dude, then you should go to someone you trust (relatively), or at least know (in some way), and explain the situation to them to see what you should do, or if they can help. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation to settle things peacefully. But, whatever you do, don’t ever pay any ”rent” (extortion), unless you feel like paying more and more. This will only open the door to worsening occurances. I should also explain to you that I’m a ”convict”, which simply means that I don’t go to the police/guards for help. That said, if you ARE a child molester, etc: you’re on your own.
– Frank Negus Staples