I'm just going to answer the questions in order so this has some form of coherency.
I'm just curious as to how everyone here deals with conflict whenever it may come up, since there's so many different situations that might require different actions from you. Like are you more likely to get into it with an online racist in the Buzzfeed comment section, than some random nutter in the street spouting off nonsence?
In regards to online racists or online nutters, I don't let 99% of things I see online personally bother me. The only things that will bother me are direct personal attacks on me or someone I care about AND feel the need to defend. Meaning I don't believe they can adequately defend themself. Considering I usually just avoid jumping in arguments, I don't often get in that situation. I guess I've just spent a lot of time online, and my sense of humor can be pretty twisted, so a lot of things people say don't get to me.
I guess first of all is how d'you usually deal with someone being a cunt in person, trying to start an argument with you? Is it the same way you would handle it if this person was one of your friends?
If a close friend was trying to start something with me in person, I'd either concede and just go with whatever they're saying OR just tell them I disagree and try to diffuse the situation. I won't usually have a significant argument with a friend unless I think I genuinely have to. If I think they're being intentionally a jerk about something, depending on how bad they're being, I'll either laugh it off or just be a little more cautious around them.
How d'you usually deal with someone online that's spouting off hateful shit about something or someone you care about?
Someone and something I care about are two vastly different things. Like I said, if it's someONE I care about and I think they're getting beat up bad (verbally), and it doesn't seem like they're doing okay I might try to defend them, but I won't usually go on the offense about it. Usually I don't bother arguing over someTHING I care about. Ideals don't have feelings, and people arguing online don't often change how they think. If I do argue for fun, it'll probably be anonymously and just for sport.
What about if you see two strangers getting heated about a subject you care about? Would you jump in, or just ignore it?
See above. Probably won't argue unless it's anonymously and for the hell of it.
What if some of your family members are getting into an argument and it's only escalating, are you getting involved in that to try calm the situation down? Or just let them hash it out.
I might try to calm the situation down by mediating, but I'll try to keep my personal opinion out of it. There's no point arguing with them and getting caught in the crossfire. Realistically I'd try to show each side the merit in the other side. Or point out why they are relatively equally wrong.
Or what would you do if someone was specifically trying to bait out a reaction/argument from you? Like I know Michelle is a big fan of Beyonce, and let's say i'm an asshole so I get my kicks out of being a cunt to people, so I'm gonna try trigger her and bait out an argument. First of all I've already spelt her name wrong on purpose, and then I'll post something like Beyonce is actually a fucking horrible singer, and she can't even write her own songs. If you're Mishelle in this situation are you biting, and giving me what I want in the heat of it? At the same time what if I said this face to face, are you gonna knock a motherfucker out?
If someone clearly was trying to piss me off in person, I'd just think they're a massive prick, possibly tell them to *insult of choice* and then probably leave. I'm sure it'd bother me, but I can't really see myself doing anything else. If it was online... guess my reaction would be almost identical, except it wouldn't bother me nearly as much.
How about if you told an SJW your name is Hugh Mungus as a joke, and now she's in your face recording you shouting about how you just sexually harassed her? Would you keep your cool or flip out?
If there's a camera involved I'd either as cooly as I could explain to the camera I meant no harm and then leave ASAP. If there were no camera I'd probably laugh at first, call them crazy and then leave. At least, I HOPE that's how I'd react. I'm really not great with conflict, so I'd probably be seething and upset inside, but considering I've never thrown a punch or anything at anyone, I can't see myself starting now. I'd probably just seethe and leave.
Are your answers the same as what you would have done say 5 years ago?
Honestly if I got in a big argument 5 years ago I'd probably internally be really upset but outwardly be a total pushover about it. Like I said, I still like to think I wouldn't go on the offense, but I feel like I'd be more defensive if I really had to.