One of the "tough kids" spit in my face in 7th grade. Right then and there, I beat him so bad that he had to go to the hospital. Of course that was many, many years ago. In this day and age, I would have been arrested.
How were you bullied in school? Did kids call you names or knock your books down?
Yes. If we get in the "way back" machine you would find "bullying" in all sorts of forms and variations has existed since the dawn of man. In my case it was grammar school, grades 1 thru 8. Primarily the 4th thru 6th grade was when I was on the receiving end of the bullying. Back then unless blood was spilled adults (especially teachers) turned a blind eye. Sometimes the mouse would roar back with "shock and awe". Overwhelming the bully with fierce, abandoned, no fear blood lust.
That would send the bullies running and a long lasting reputation (for good or bad) was created. Name calling was mild stuff. Ours was the pushing down the stairs; the punch in the face; hot soup down the back of your shirt that was bullying back then, assault now.
Bullying in any form or degree, adult or child, male or female, is reprehensible. It is the defense of a true coward who turns to bullying.