Kung Fu King, or Liar???

[Spirit At Choice]

I met a guy (I don't really know him from Adam) who I wouldn't mind seeing again. But he raised a few red flags with me that will have me walking away if I can't clear them up next time I talk to/see him.

First, he says he does "Kung Fu," but he doesn't seem to be able to talk about it except to brag about his sparring victories. I thought there were different styles of Kung Fu, so I asked him what his style of Kung Fu is and he just said, "It's a martial art, just like karate." (Well, duh!)

Second, he seems to be egotistical. He talked about "intuiting" moves he never learned, because he had such an awesome teacher. It seemed a little weird, and a little obnoxious.

But we just met. Maybe he was nervous-- trying to impress me. Whatever. He gave me his number and I could call him or not. But I get this niggling feeling he's lying about his martial arts experience.

Can any Kung Fu practitioners tell me how I can *know* if this guy is a liar or just a nervous nellie? Shouldn't he be able to name a style of Kung Fu? Don't black belts in Kung Fu styles get the Ego beaten out of them (figuratively) before they'd be awarded a black belt? I mean, not many styles will hand an egomaniac a black belt.

[ArmorOfGod]

Call him, set up a time to work out and spar him. I would recommend that you bring some of your friends as witnesses. If he turns out to be legit, you just gained a new friend; if he refuses to work out, then he is a lier.

Yes, he should be able to name what family/style of kung-fu he comes from. Ask for his certificates (if he has claimed to be a teacher), but offer to show yours as well.

Also, kung fu styles do not offer "black belts." A few have a sash system, but most do not wear belts. They use a rank system represented by certificates.

AoG

[elbows_and_knees]

he sounds like a newb. I agree with AoG though - call him on it.

[KF Dude]

Can any Kung Fu practitioners tell me how I can *know* if this guy is a liar or just a nervous nellie? Shouldn't he be able to name a style of Kung Fu?

When speaking with another martial artist Kung Fu practitioners will identify what style they do. I'd have a hard time taking them seriously if they didn't know. If someone is just asking general questions "Kung Fu" is enough. Most of the population thinks all martial arts is Karate anyway.

Don't black belts in Kung Fu styles get the Ego beaten out of them (figuratively) before they'd be awarded a black belt? I mean, not many styles will hand an egomaniac a black belt.

Getting beat up before becoming a black sash/belt as lesson in humility does not happen. Bad seeds are weeded out in the beginning.

[P.A.L]

tell him to do a form if he did tell him to do it again if he did, it means he knows something at least.

[jaymac]

You really don't need anymore information about this guy than you already got. He has not really trained in Kung Fu. He absolutely would be able to tell you his style and his instructor. At 9 years old, I could tell you that I took Hung-Gar and Kun Tao Kung-fu. He is just trying to impress you. My bets are he isn't training at all anymore. If you really like him, invite him to take classes at your dojo.

[knarfster]

We had a guy who lived in our drom in College who always talked about his Martial Arts experience (he was TKD or TSD). We all hated it. one day his 210 Lb roommate had heard enough and said lets go outside. we all went outside the dorm to watch.

Wham bang pop it was over in less than 5 or 10 seconds. The guy really did know his stuff. he kicked his roommates you know what by blocking a punch to his head with his left arm, kicked the guys inside right knee so that he went down AND on the guys way down gave him a round house to the side of the head.

[Anbu Alex]

Usally when i tell people i took kung fu they assk what style and i tell then or when i ask they tell me the style and teacher so to me that kinda unusal

[Jeet Kune Do]

I met a guy (I don't really know him from Adam) who I wouldn't mind seeing again. But he raised a few red flags with me that will have me walking away if I can't clear them up next time I talk to/see him.

First, he says he does "Kung Fu," but he doesn't seem to be able to talk about it except to brag about his sparring victories. I thought there were different styles of Kung Fu, so I asked him what his style of Kung Fu is and he just said, "It's a martial art, just like karate." (Well, duh!)

Second, he seems to be egotistical. He talked about "intuiting" moves he never learned, because he had such an awesome teacher. It seemed a little weird, and a little obnoxious.

But we just met. Maybe he was nervous-- trying to impress me. Whatever. He gave me his number and I could call him or not. But I get this niggling feeling he's lying about his martial arts experience.

Can any Kung Fu practitioners tell me how I can *know* if this guy is a liar or just a nervous nellie? Shouldn't he be able to name a style of Kung Fu? Don't black belts in Kung Fu styles get the Ego beaten out of them (figuratively) before they'd be awarded a black belt? I mean, not many styles will hand an egomaniac a black belt.

A bottle Half filled tends to rock

[Jeet Kune Do]

I met a guy (I don't really know him from Adam) who I wouldn't mind seeing again. But he raised a few red flags with me that will have me walking away if I can't clear them up next time I talk to/see him.

First, he says he does "Kung Fu," but he doesn't seem to be able to talk about it except to brag about his sparring victories. I thought there were different styles of Kung Fu, so I asked him what his style of Kung Fu is and he just said, "It's a martial art, just like karate." (Well, duh!)

Second, he seems to be egotistical. He talked about "intuiting" moves he never learned, because he had such an awesome teacher. It seemed a little weird, and a little obnoxious.

But we just met. Maybe he was nervous-- trying to impress me. Whatever. He gave me his number and I could call him or not. But I get this niggling feeling he's lying about his martial arts experience.

Can any Kung Fu practitioners tell me how I can *know* if this guy is a liar or just a nervous nellie? Shouldn't he be able to name a style of Kung Fu? Don't black belts in Kung Fu styles get the Ego beaten out of them (figuratively) before they'd be awarded a black belt? I mean, not many styles will hand an egomaniac a black belt.

EDIT: Ooops, sorry about the double post.