Hacker News Reader

That's like foreplay in those situations, the verbal abuse is as much about working the offender up - and sizing up their opposition - as it is about actually abusing anyone.

But even in those situations primed for antagonism fistfights and other are the exception. Ignorance and retorts are the most common reaction.

Sports arenas -- at least in the U.S. and several other Western countries -- also serve alcohol, which aids in escalating such situations.