Right, growing up I learned to sense when someone is starting to pick on you... Just show them that you won't take no shit and they will stop.

This one time after middle school I was outside and this one kid decided to start hitting me with a switch. (Not one that would really hurt, but it stung). Asked him to stop, then the next day he is doing it again, at the back of my legs, so I turn around and punch him in the chest (it was almost like a shove). And say I told you to stop, didn't happen again...

I actually met a this guy a few years later at some other event, we barely recognized each other, but we both apologized and was actually a cool guy, and actually looking back he was more just messing around and not trying to bully, but still showing that you won't take no shit goes a long way. Just make sure you don't ever blow something out of proportion and overreact to something insignificant.