They were sneaky 40 years ago too. How old are you?
And I think the only time I've seen bullying as the 'give me your lunch money or else' scenario has been on TV or in movies.
In elementary school a girl tried to blackmail DD...she said she would tell all the kids which boy my DD 'liked' if my DD didn't give her money (I think it was supposed to be $5). DD had been friendly with her but gave no quarter after that. Told her "Go ahead, I don't like him any more any way."
I know it's petty but I never did like the kid after that...she was a goody two-shoes to teachers/adults but kind of a creep/snot to other kids, especially the ones she thought she could push around.
Ended up getting in to the local 'best in the country' public high school.
agnes!
).