Show me something

[scottnshelly]

I usually get the opposite of 'show me something', although i do get that too. Most people want to show me something and ask what it is 'in Karate'. like a sloppy leg slinging kick or a dorky one-legged stance.

Then i get the 'can you do...' also. 'Can you break a board on your head?' 'Can you push this house over?' 'Can you break this counter top in half?'

If someone asks me to shem them 'Karate', i just stand there. They usually lose interest right there, but if they ask what i'm doing, or why i'm not moving i tell them that i am doing 'Karate' by controlling my desire to punch them. 'you see, self-control is very important...' then they lose interest.

I usually don't put on a performance for people wanting to get a free demo. they'd be disappointed that i can't do a flip while shaking a pair of kamas.

[aefibird]

I've had a couple of people ask me to show things to them, but both have been interested - both actually started coming to classes because of what I showed them (I don't think it was anything impressive, either, probably just a bit of punching or a couple of kicks!). Both of the people have been interested enough to stick with training; it was obvious when they asked me about karate that they were interested, or else I wouldn't have shown them anything.

Other than that I sometimes just get dorky comments (usually from people at work) like "Daniel-San" and "can you karate chop this table in half?"

[Chaz]

I get asked this alot, I usually tell them to punch me. All I have to do is suck um' in to impress them... They just go Whoa! thats scary...

[BJJShotoshe]

all the time. i am in grappling and karate so i ask them what they want to see. they usually say both, so i give them this bunch of hooey from old tv shows, something that they have seen and they just turn around and say "i can do that, wanna see..."

[Sandan]

lots of people standing in front of me doing mad circular things with their hands and making whaooo sounding noises!

[mindsedgeblade]

I usually just get looks that ask "Are you crazy?" One girl has started calling me "karate boy," but no one has really asked me to show them anything.

[Jinxx0r]

once or twice. I usually show them wrist locks and ho sin sool (self defense) stuff. People like to see the quick and decisive or immobilizing techniques.

[Venrix]

I have had some people ask me "what would you do if i did this"....

My standard response to this incredibly annoying question is:

a) fix my eyes on theirs - no blinking allowed.

b) smirk a little.

c) Answer with: "I'd just smack my fist into your jaw bone." (Pause) "Hard."

There's something about using the words 'jaw bone' instead of simply saying 'jaw' or 'mouth'. It comes accross a little more... ...clinical.

My old psychology instructor used to tell me that I had a habit of over complicating things. He suggested that I learned to 'Keep it Short and Simple'. I guess I've finally cracked it.

I think he'd be proud.

-V-