The Man in the Street 239
This scenario shows how you can manage stress that you
created in another person. Be very careful with this kind of interac-
tion. Either you do it with finesse, or you may be headed for conflict.
Confrontational practices
InCannibals and Kings: The Origins of Cultures (Random
House, 1977), anthropologist Marvin Harris proffers four possible
explanations for war. Even though he points out the reasons why
each theory has holes in the anthropological big picture, the four
views are salient in terms of categorizing confrontational body lan-
guage, some of which is handed down generation after generation,
and some of which just comes naturally. His ideas translate as well
into the daily interactions of families and other microcultures.
Unless we are talking about gang war or some such ritualistic con-
flict, we can assume that humans group into their armed camps in
places such as office apartment buildings and even children’s ath-
letic events. The kind of warfare is simple conflict and it can range
from catlike grunts and snarls to physical violence. Consider the
reasons behind it and the body language of each.
War as solidarity
In this scenario, war results from a sense of group identity. The
tribe that fights together stays together. In the modern vernacular,
it’s a street gang mentality. It can also be the third shift at the call
center. Once you bond with other people who share your views
and circumstances, you don’t want to hurt your own. Aggression