For the record, I agree with Xtreme.
On a different point, I get bullied a lot at school, because I have long hair XD. It doesn't bother me; I know half of them don't actually think anything less of me and the other half aren't as hard-man as they like to think. A lot of people who bullied me in my first year at secondary, I now get along with quite well. Once you stand up for yourself, stop taking shit, and bust a couple of noses (no, really.) then they take you seriously and get to know you.
Bullying IS a challenge, conscious or sub-conscious. In packs and groups of anything; wolves, lions... even baboons, there is what we call 'bullying'. If you do not stand up to the challenge, they are the alpha male, and the bullying will continue until another, stronger individual comes along and stakes his claim. If you do, however, stand up for yourself convincinly enough, then you are -at worst- on equal footing, and he is no longer dominant...
^^