Yeah, but I just never know what to say in situations like that.

On a more serious note, I've always been told to "look big" by opening up and raising one's coat, putting one's backpack on one's shoulders, etc. Supposedly this makes the bear less likely to want to try anything. Honestly, though I'm not sure how practical this advice is. Like who's going to be taking off their coat or backpack when they're face to face with a bear.

I've had two relatively close encounters with bears. On both occasions, I was walking one direction on a trail and the bear was walking the other (coming towards me). Both times the bears took a good look at me and then lumbered off. They weren't afraid but neither were they aggressive. I just sort of stood my ground in both cases (running is generally a bad idea) and waited for their next move. The 2nd encounter I had was in the dark. It was rather unnerving to see a large, shaggy black mass with two golden orbs reflecting the glow of my headlamp.

HJ