Sammyrai Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 Is it just me, or does everyone who has a black belt seem to be "challenged" by their friends? Getting a black belt is not what it once was, as many of the black belts I know are poor martial artists and even worse fighters. The problem is that the reputation of a black belt is going to pot. Have any of you been "challenged" or had your skills tested by your friends? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammyrai Posted March 26, 2004 Author Share Posted March 26, 2004 How can we get the reputation of a black belt back to the awesome thing that it should be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beka Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 I'm a white belt and I get challenged! My friends aren't stupid enough, but a lot of people who are aquiantences or hear my phone conversations at the bus stop will ask me to show them some moves or to fight them or soemthing equally stupid. They think it's going to be like the movies, but it isn't. There are some styles and clubs that are just black-belt factories. All the black belts I know are very skilled. But I do know of other clubs that just advance people because they've spent a certain amount of time or money, and it bothers me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
granmasterchen Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 none of my friends are dumb enough to fight me, they know better, they have all seen small demonstrations of my prowess at combat.....in all honestly anyone that knows i am a black belt and wanted to start something with, they usually just back away when one of my friends tell them, hey hes a black belt, you dont want to mess with him. that is usually it..... That which does not destroy me will only make me stronger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Warlock Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 People knowing i practiced the arts, challenges and testing used to happen a lot when i was younger. Not as much nowadays. What i truly hate more than unskilled persons challenging me or testing me, is other BBs challenging me or testing me. You would think that they would know how friggin' annoying that is. "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Warlock Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 How can we get the reputation of a black belt back to the awesome thing that it should be?Remove it altogether. Schools giving out BBs like candy, and people 'claiming' to be BBs... there's nothing you can do about that. By simply removing that stupid little misinterpreted, and often abused, symbol of 'basic' mastery, we remove as well the prize associated with 'beating' a BB. "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotochem Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 Funny to this day I have not been challenged due to my MA practice. Maybe its my Ahem......Age Hey Warlok don't you know that all BB suck, .......except for the ones in whatever school we're in!!!! Pain is only temporary, the memory of that pain lasts a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebranch Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 Don't tell people you are a BB. It's like telling people you are carrying a weapon. People become uneasy and some people will try to settle their uneasiness by challenging you. Keep your skills a secret so that no one knows what to expect from you. The element of surprise is a big factor in any fight. "It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.""Lock em out or Knock em out" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta1 Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 I don't hide the fact that I practice martial arts, but I don't talk much about it either. I've been challenged, the last time at work when a co-worker was asking me for advice about enrolling his son in a TKD class. One of the young punks overheard, and had studied Shotokan, and wanted to try me. I let him go, as everyone thought he was a blowhard any how. As for getting the respect back, you can only really do that on an individual basis. Overall, the 'Iron Kim's', belt factories, and every yellow belt that has tried too soon to prove himself has given the martial arts a bad rep. Plus, we live in an increasingly more disrespectful society. Do away with the belt, do what you do, understand what you know, enjoy yourself and let the rest of the world go ... ! Freedom isn't free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebranch Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 Nicely put Delta. "It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.""Lock em out or Knock em out" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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