It can be scary to confront people because....
You fear what people will think about what they'll think about it. You fear their judgement and the outcome / consequences of doing so.
I am afraid of offending others or them attacking me for my opinions
Physical violence or gossiping about you
@wittySpruce8187 that's been my experience, they want to hurt you, especially when you point out that they have done something wrong.
Confronting anyone can be scary, because there is no way to know how they will react.
What if you say the wrong thing?
What if they get mad at you?
What if they turn everyone against you?
What if they hate you after?
What if youre not taken seriously and they laugh at you?
---Possible Pre-Trigger Warning---
Anxiety, paranoia, and the PTSD/C (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Syndrome) are reasons I am very scared to confront people.
If I see someone else getting hurt, well of course, I will step in. I have any one's back. I've defended people whom I've had many issues with, or may totally want to disrespect. But no, I don't do that.
I'd like to say, what behind all the fear of confonting people, is they will judge you. Judge you on why you did it. How you did it. Your reasoning. Their own opinion versus yours. Etc, etc.
There's good and bad situations. I've become very obersvant of people. Watching their reactions to other things. The way they talk. If they are breathing fast or anxious commonly seen in lying; if they're happy about certain things, body language, even to the way they walk. And I don't confront the people who appear threatening. Although, I have confronted some people in that term, that have taken it well, and actually thanked me for calling them out, once I explained why I said or did what I did, and made my point.
But also, I do reccomend you remember this: Get their side of the story, too. Don't only offer your input or questioning, opinion, whatever it be. Ask them why they did what they did. At times, I reflect on what they did and what they did. It goes smoother too, if you make an effort to valid them. "I'd understand why you'd want to say F*** You to that person, but sometimes it's best to just walk away." Validation makes the person feel like they're being listened to. "I understand you were inpatient at the line, but it's no need to shove people out of the way." Those are 2 things I commonly call people out on. Disrespecting others and when it comes to safety.
And to be honest, it becomes exhausting, because I absolutely dislike standing up for myself. I've almost always had bad experiences. But somehow, I have no problem if I am calling out others on being rude to someone else. But if they arte being rude to me, I use sarcasm because I am so uncomfortable calling one out.
they may decide that may needs/wants are
I'm not very good at staying calm when trying to argue my point , and then I get so flustered that I shake and I yell louder than I think I'm going to yell , and I can't think straight so I forget things and then that just further makes them seem right , even when I know I'm right ..I just can't explain it. I'm also afraid of what would happen - how a person would react. I'm not a fighter at all, but do feel strongly when it comesnto the welbeing of my children.
lack off trust unknow people
It can be scary to confront people because we simply can't predict their reaction and this can sometimes be unnerving.