Bullies are often the way they are because they get scared and compulsively need to deflect their fear to other people. If you cower at them, you will only be enabling their bad behaviour.
And they come in different shapes and sizes, from the school-yard bully to the unreasonable boss at the office, or the lover with a terrible temper and an uncouth mouth.
But bullies too need help. They need you to stand up to them compassionately and reflect the horrors they have internalized for years, or they won’t realize the harm they cause in the world.
If you ever encounter bullies, and you will help them by standing up to them.