Time you learned how to defend yourself, isn’t it?  The only catch this time around is you must have a walking stick with you at all times.  Ok, so maybe we don’t all do that anymore but after reading this article on the issue I am looking at the idea of bringing it back into style!  Here is some more on the topic:

It will be seen that the figure on the right is exposing his body in order to insure his adversary attacking him there, and to be prepared with an immediate defence.

Directly the man with the alpenstock attempts to bayonette him, he diverts the blow by turning sideways, and making a circular downward cut, which hits the alpenstock and causes it to glide slightly upwards and sideways — a guard known in sword play as "Septime envelopé." The moment the blow has been diverted, the man with the stick must seize the alpenstock with his left hand, and, stepping in, strike his assailant a blow across the face.

At least you can say you had an entertaining start to your week now.