You showed her who's boss--maybe next time she'll learn not to burn the dinner 
Seriously, though, as others have stated, there is "What you think you're going to do in a confrontation" and "What you actually do in a confrontation" and many times those things don't line up. Mostly this is based on a lack of training and preparation as I think others have already said.
What I think is not taught enough is the observation and avoidance aspect. (Mentioned often, yes. Actually TAUGHT often, no.) The risk mitigation of performing the least risky task. Put me in a room with some MMA dude and tell us to go at it and I'll probably lose 9+ times out of 10. But, try to get that guy to get me in the real world and I've got a better shot because I'm going to do everything I can to avoid the confrontation in the first place. Planning, avoiding certain areas, aware of my surroundings, always having avenues of escape, trying to see before being seen, conducting vulnerability self-assessments, etc, etc, etc. I've been in protective operations for over a decade. We have a saying, if we have to shoot, we've made a whole list of mistakes to get to that point. I firmly believe that.
I just reread Cooper's book on Personal Defense for the who knows how many times. I would encourage your girlfriend to get as much training as she can (particularly force on force) but that brain is still the most important weapon. Have her read that book and get mentally prepared and observant.
Although all 3 are important, in my experience, Mindset is more important than gear and skill.
Seriously, though, as others have stated, there is "What you think you're going to do in a confrontation" and "What you actually do in a confrontation" and many times those things don't line up. Mostly this is based on a lack of training and preparation as I think others have already said.
What I think is not taught enough is the observation and avoidance aspect. (Mentioned often, yes. Actually TAUGHT often, no.) The risk mitigation of performing the least risky task. Put me in a room with some MMA dude and tell us to go at it and I'll probably lose 9+ times out of 10. But, try to get that guy to get me in the real world and I've got a better shot because I'm going to do everything I can to avoid the confrontation in the first place. Planning, avoiding certain areas, aware of my surroundings, always having avenues of escape, trying to see before being seen, conducting vulnerability self-assessments, etc, etc, etc. I've been in protective operations for over a decade. We have a saying, if we have to shoot, we've made a whole list of mistakes to get to that point. I firmly believe that.
I just reread Cooper's book on Personal Defense for the who knows how many times. I would encourage your girlfriend to get as much training as she can (particularly force on force) but that brain is still the most important weapon. Have her read that book and get mentally prepared and observant.
Although all 3 are important, in my experience, Mindset is more important than gear and skill.
