Similarly we have learnt to avoid the bullies in the workplace and their attempts to make themselves look better by undermining those around them.
So it should come as no surprise to find there are also geographical bullies, at work even in our quiet corner of the globe.
The country in question is, of course, Australia. Bullies often - but not always - have size on their side and in this case Australia is well-qualified, with a physical presence which is formidable. This vastness lends itself to arrogance and a superiority complex, and an air of oblivion about behaving in such a lamentable fashion.
Meanwhile, across the Tasman Sea, lies tiny New Zealand, hardly posing any kind of threat to its much larger neighbour and yet, in terms of its contribution to the advancement of humanity, running rings around it.
The reaction of Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to comments by our Justice Minister Andrew Little is a classic example - if ever more evidence were needed - of the swaggering way some of our transtasman political allies work.
Mr Little appeared on the ABC's current affairs programme Foreign Correspondent last week and took Australia to task for its obdurate deportation policies. He was scathing that they were ``certainly not consistent with any humanitarian ideals I thought both countries once shared''.
Strong words indeed. But accurate and necessary. Mr Little is no milquetoast when it comes to saying what needs to be said.
But they do things differently over there. Rather than engage sensibly, Mr Dutton responded with thinly veiled threats - though of what is unclear - and said Mr Little might want to ``reflect'' further on the transtasman relationship.
According to Mr Dutton, ``there's a lot'' that Australia does for New Zealand, by blocking refugee boats from coming here from Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and New Zealand does not ``contribute really anything'' to the defence effort.
And then the punchline: ``I hope that he [Mr Little] doesn't repeat them,'' Mr Dutton said.
Who would not be tempted in the face of such bullying to say the comments again? Mr Little, to his credit, did just that. Good for him.
New Zealand does not have to take this blustering browbeating from a country with such an appalling record when it comes to ensuring basic human rights for refugees and allowing them some dignity. Of course, the way Australia treats New Zealanders resident there is a whole other issue.
Australians are meant to be our closest mates. Perhaps with that comes more freedom to be frank and critical. And let's face it, they are pretty good at shooting from the lip. But the critique or censure does not seem to be allowed to go both ways - they are infernally touchy, especially if it comes from our small nation.
Who are they to rebuke us anyway? Is there a lingering resentment at our achievements on the world stage when it comes to principles and stands on women's suffrage, doing the right thing about nuclear weapons and weapons testing in the South Pacific, our stance against apartheid - under a Labour government at least - and our leaps and bounds towards accepting diversity and greater inclusivity for all?
And while there are still repugnant pockets of racism in New Zealand which need stamping out, Australia is aeons behind us.
New Zealand does not need to be in such thrall to the Australians. We should be able to say what we like. Perhaps they are jealous?
Mr Dutton's reaction amounts to archetypal playground bullying.
It has to be said. Mr Dutton - we hope you do not repeat your comments.
