Bullying? Not really to me (then, or now). Harsh/tough? Yup! I don't agree with intentional demeaning/abuse for the sole purpose of 'minimizing' people, but sometimes it's necessary to teach/experience some 'tough love' to learn lessons to overcome bigger things in life. It's kind of like raising children ... sometimes you have to be a bit of a 'bad guy' to raise a good kid.
Mind you, my idea of 'tough love' does not include physical abuse.