Perceptions and prejudice (Of schools, not personal)

[Harlan]

Although I didn't know it at the time, from the moment I entered the 'dojo' for my very first lesson in MA, I was 'judging' the class, teacher and dojo in a negative way. Already deciding on a subtle level not to train there.

It was just two guys, way out in the sticks, practicing weapons in a hall. I felt 'out of place' .... a female in a private 'good ol' boys' club'. Without the McDojo trappings of success and a big class to vanish in, I felt very vulnerable.

If not for an insight I had later that week, my ignorance and insecurities would have made that my first and last class in kobudo.

[Sam]

i think at one time everyone's guilty of prejudgnig something - whether it be a dojang, or simply someone we meet..... least most of us made the right choice.

[tkdBill]

Most beginners do not know what to look for, have no idea what "good" martial arts look like, and cannot distinguish between a great instructor and an OK instructor. For the vast majority, it comes down to that first impression. When a new person walks in the door, if there is no aesthetic or sensory appeal he will not come back to further investigate.

Most of us on this forum have a deeper understanding, and we are not looking for first impressions. However, I know more than a few instructors that offer quality instruction but lament about low enrollment. Unless you are satisfied with only attracting existing martial artists, you have to work on improving the newcomer's first impressions. It may not be right, it's just the way it is.

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[Adonis]

awesome thread. I Have done that by looking at a school and not deciding on it.

I orginally just did that to a school just recently didn't look in best of shape, but more importantly the head instructor I saw was some fat guy in regular clothes outside smoking a cigar. I didn't even bother to train with him. After talking to him he pretty much sounded like a (stereotype) of a used car sales man.

I might check out the school but talking to him he didn't seem to knowledgeable about the ground fighting I was looking for.

I agree though with some of the posts I met some of the most awesome martial artist in run down places or garages and some goofy guys in some nice well matted, fully equiped stuido's.

[Sam]

OK - so there some obvious signs you can be predjudiced against when you know what you;re looking for, but when you don t its very difficult to know whats good [hence not knowing what to look for , lol]

Obvious bad signs, are unskilled high belts, lazy instructor, etc.

[Adonis]

Not only schools but perception and predjudice against styles. Taekwondo for example and I have said stuff about them in the past but I know some taekwondo guys that have some powerful kicks and are pretty good sparrers. That come out of the so called "mcdojo's." I watched this one taekwondo class that was more tradiational then tournament flashy a few times. I watched the students perform forms as the instrutor lead them. they had good stances blocks that looked just the same as some good traditional okinawan and Japense style karate guys.

[Aodhan]

Not only schools but perception and predjudice against styles. Taekwondo for example and I have said stuff about them in the past but I know some taekwondo guys that have some powerful kicks and are pretty good sparrers. That come out of the so called "mcdojo's." I watched this one taekwondo class that was more tradiational then tournament flashy a few times. I watched the students perform forms as the instrutor lead them. they had good stances blocks that looked just the same as some good traditional okinawan and Japense style karate guys.

A lot of the slamming of TKD comes from the Olympic sparring, which is what most people see, and comparing to Okinawan/Japanese styles. Most of the J/O styles have much deeper stances, so when they look at TKD and their more upright stances, they giggle.

As with all practicioners, it depends on the school. I've been in TKD schools where I would be ashamed to call it martial arts, more like dance in fancy pajamas. I've also been in TKD schools that would put most arts to shame (Blood on the floor almost daily). All depends on the instructors approach.

Aodhan

[Sam]

exactly - glad we're agreed on that Aodhan - alot of people judge TKD without really experiencing and understanding the HUGE divide internally between sport and trad TKD