Fist fighting is one of the few archaic traditions seeping into modern-day behaviour.

Contemporary western civilisation generally suggests we’re outraged when it comes brutish and outdated traditions.

But for some reason, the drunken fist fight has somehow stood the test of time.

The word ‘tradition’ is probably key here.

Since when does tradition take precedence over basic human rights and the greater good?

Tradition stood no chance when it came to outlawing duelling, way back in the 1800s in the US, and as far back as 17th century in parts of Europe.

Interestingly, these long-standing traditions generally came to an end thanks to public sentiment.

People simply gave up on what quickly became widely recognised as an inhumane practice.

How is this not happening here when it comes to the drunken fist fight?

Surely the easy access and saturation of media we’re exposed to today is enough for all of us to realise how outdated a punch on really is.

Ask anyone in the street about the dangers of this thuggish practice, and you'll almost always hear ‘one punch can kill’.

Common-place archaic violence has generally disappeared with the advent of technology – we’re having to be less tribal when it comes to getting what we need.

So why is this still happening?

Many will suggest drugs and alcohol have something to answer for.

Yes, these may be contributing factors, but they’re certainly not the cause. 

The cause is a general subconscious acceptance in society that a fist fight is OK.

Use smoking as an example – public smokers are all but shunned today, because all of a sudden we’re less willing to put up with the third-party effects.

It’s happened over the course of only 30-odd years.

This is the attitude we should have when we see idiots starting fights during a night out.

If we build a stigma around the fist fight, no one is going to want to take on wider public sentiment.

Even if, heaven forbid, someone spills their drink.