All in the mind?

Further to Tuesday's post, recent comments suggest to me that people are confusing bullying with intimidation. Two different things although they might superficially appear the same. The essential difference is that bullying is a positive act by the bully designed to make you feel bullied, whereas intimidation is simply a state of mind in the head of the person claiming to be intimidated. It is perfectly possible to be intimidated even though the person you claim to be intimidating you is completely unaware that they are having this effect on you. It's down to you whether you feel intimidated or not, whereas it's down to the bully as to whether you are being bullied or not.