Well, basically...

Does anyone have any tips on the best way to approach this subject with someone? how to avoid nerves?

...if you're perfectly ready to shove it down his fucking throat in a bloody - and slightly theraputic - act or three of violence if he thinks he's got a problem with it, you're ready to tell whoever you think is a good idea.

The sad reality of this world is that "strength" is most people's ethical compass. Their only ethical compass. Our current situation is one great illustrator - no one in their right fucking mind could begin to believe that liquidating a percentage of the earth's human populace for the fuck of it is any sort of ethical action, whatever other adjectives they apply to it - and history is so thoroughly packed with other examples that anyone who claims atrocity is some sort of anomaly is a fool at best.

There are the more-decent people. As long as they don't have to carry your weight, they'll treat you as the person you are. There are the less-decent people - as long as they're damn well afraid of you, they'll view you as the person you are, rather than just a potential victim, and may even genuinely like you then.

...but that's what people will be evaluating you as - whether you're their potential victim. Because that's about all the ethics people have, whatever face they put on to those they think are a peer in strength.

But... hey. If you're perfectly comfortable standing up for yourself to anyone - go for it, if you think he's a worthwhile investment. If you're wrong, and he evaluates your potential as his victim in a belligerent rather than casual fashion, just remove the palate from his range of skeletal architecture. Fucked up thing is, this may actually make him into your friend... wierd, sad, but actually a possible outcome if you misjudged his character.

(the nonhabitual predators which judge your strength/weakness more casually, aka "fairly open-minded people with good hearts," will be LESS likely to be your friend if you rearrange their skeleton. This is fair enough, since they'll also avoid conflict unless they think you're TRULY weak, rather than just being constant belligerents. It evens out)

...but.. yeah. Strength is the only ethical compass most people have. Remember that, make sure you're covered if you choose wrong, and don't offer temptation if you choose right.

Some of these scumbags are even pretty cool people once you get the "equal footing" thing established.