So this would really only work if the slapper bought into that social taboo. Or the society did, at any rate. If they felt no shame at doing this, all you’d get is another slapped face. The problem is that in a society without that, your enemy would feel nothing about slapping you again and everyone else would be thinking “Why didn’t the dickhead either slap him back or just keep his head down?”
I’m not big on giving people a free second chance at hurting me. 
Now that is a top example of applied passive-aggressiveness. [quote=“bibliophile20, post:61, topic:96520”]
"If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
[/quote]
Ahh. Not about flogging off a bunch of newly-acquired army surplus then. I’d see something like that as “Not only do I now have a free tent and wine, but some Roman squaddie is gonna be freezing his arse off tonight, LOL.” A win-win. 
But the historical perspective is pretty cool. Thanks for that. 
