Rank stripes on Black Belt Like or dislike?

[DWx]

Stripes are pretty functional especially when a group of people who don't usually train together get together for seminars or gradings. I don't thinks its particularly egotistical, if you consider stripes to be, then really the whole concept of belts is altogether egotistical because they denote rank too. Stripes are just another part of the ranking system

Although in a way there are times when I wish we didn't have them. At our last organisation tournament I turned up plain clothes and there were a few individuals who didn't know/recognise me and were pretty rude. As soon as I got changed into umpire dress they start being uber respectful because I must have been x grade to be wearing the stuff. Same happens at seminars. They see that you have a certain number of stripes or that you're associated with someone who has lots of stripes and they start being really sycophantic. If no-one had any stripes they would have to treat everyone the same. (Although really I think the problem is more to do with attitude than stripes, but the stripes don't help).

[JohnASE]

Personally I think its egotistical. Your skill, authority, and knowledge should show through. Imagine if people went to cocktail parties having their college degrees. Stapled to their shirts.

Well, you probably wouldn't wear your black belt to a cocktail party either, but I can see someone going to a professional conference with "PhD" on their name tag.

I guess I'm against rank bars too, but I can see how they might be helpful in some circumstances. I've seen people line up by rank. Bars would make that easier. If I'm at a tournament, sometimes it's interesting to know what rank people are. Oh, and I suppose having visual evidence of rank can be motivational the way color belts are.

This is harder for outsiders to recognize, but I've seen some groups use the color of embroidery to denote rank, white for sho-dan, silver for ni-dan, gold for san-dan, or something like that.

[RichardZ]

Stripes are pretty functional especially when a group of people who don't usually train together get together for seminars or gradings. I don't thinks its particularly egotistical, if you consider stripes to be, then really the whole concept of belts is altogether egotistical because they denote rank too. Stripes are just another part of the ranking system

Although in a way there are times when I wish we didn't have them. At our last organisation tournament I turned up plain clothes and there were a few individuals who didn't know/recognise me and were pretty rude. As soon as I got changed into umpire dress they start being uber respectful because I must have been x grade to be wearing the stuff. Same happens at seminars. They see that you have a certain number of stripes or that you're associated with someone who has lots of stripes and they start being really sycophantic. If no-one had any stripes they would have to treat everyone the same. (Although really I think the problem is more to do with attitude than stripes, but the stripes don't help).

Nice post. Although couldn't people who haven't trained together and happen to meet just "tell" each other their ranks?

For example, doctors at a medical convention, do they blab about their degrees, or about their knowledge-discoveries? I guess they should consider themeselves and all who attend professional and certifiable in the field in which, whatever event, seminar, meet, they attend.

I mean, no one is going to attend a medical fnction, whom has absolutely or bare minimal knowledge in the field or subject thereof.

[bushido_man96]

Stripes are pretty functional especially when a group of people who don't usually train together get together for seminars or gradings. I don't thinks its particularly egotistical, if you consider stripes to be, then really the whole concept of belts is altogether egotistical because they denote rank too. Stripes are just another part of the ranking system

Although in a way there are times when I wish we didn't have them. At our last organisation tournament I turned up plain clothes and there were a few individuals who didn't know/recognise me and were pretty rude. As soon as I got changed into umpire dress they start being uber respectful because I must have been x grade to be wearing the stuff. Same happens at seminars. They see that you have a certain number of stripes or that you're associated with someone who has lots of stripes and they start being really sycophantic. If no-one had any stripes they would have to treat everyone the same. (Although really I think the problem is more to do with attitude than stripes, but the stripes don't help).

Nice post. Although couldn't people who haven't trained together and happen to meet just "tell" each other their ranks?

For example, doctors at a medical convention, do they blab about their degrees, or about their knowledge-discoveries? I guess they should consider themeselves and all who attend professional and certifiable in the field in which, whatever event, seminar, meet, they attend.

I mean, no one is going to attend a medical fnction, whom has absolutely or bare minimal knowledge in the field or subject thereof.

Is that necessary, though? That's why I don't espouse the whole teaching morals/ethics in the MAs. Instead of worrying about who out ranks who, just show everyone respect.

[RichardZ]

Is that necessary, though? That's why I don't espouse the whole teaching morals/ethics in the MAs. Instead of worrying about who out ranks who, just show everyone respect.

You have just hit the nail on the head - respect.

It is assumed that the more stripes one has, the more respect (and perhaps bring in more $$$, er, I mean students) they achieve.

[Rateh]

Interesting story...

The organization my school belongs to holds a tournament every year. In 2008 I went to the tournament, having been at my current school for one year. Our grandmaster spent most of the tournament in civilian clothes, behind the registration counter. Apparently a computer glitch had screwed up most of the rings, so he was going through all of the ring assignments and making sure everyone was in the right ring.

During the entire tournament, until the very end at the dinner, I did not know he was the grandmaster.

After finding out, I did feel rude, but not because I was disrespectful. I just wish I would have known who he was, maybe introduced myself, said thanks for putting on the tournament, etc. Had he been in uniform with rank stripes...well I wouldn't have thought he was a parent helper the whole time!

[DWx]

Nice post. Although couldn't people who haven't trained together and happen to meet just "tell" each other their ranks?

Well for things like seminars etc. seeing the stripes on the belts does speed up the whole lining up in grade order and whoever's leading the session can easily know what level of material to cover. Its not strictly necessary but it does help sometimes.

Is that necessary, though? That's why I don't espouse the whole teaching morals/ethics in the MAs. Instead of worrying about who out ranks who, just show everyone respect.

That's how it should be. But unfortunately you do get people who see the number of stripes/colour and think that because they have a "better" belt they don't have to respect you as much. Or because you have more stripes they are super respectful.

Nice story Rateh. Actually at the same tournament my mum ended up on the door registering everyone. She's never done TKD before and doesn't really know about any of the customs. Made me laugh when people are bowing as they receive their tickets and handing over money two-handed and thanking her for stuff.

[RichardZ]

Interesting story...

The organization my school belongs to holds a tournament every year. In 2008 I went to the tournament, having been at my current school for one year. Our grandmaster spent most of the tournament in civilian clothes, behind the registration counter. Apparently a computer glitch had screwed up most of the rings, so he was going through all of the ring assignments and making sure everyone was in the right ring.

During the entire tournament, until the very end at the dinner, I did not know he was the grandmaster.

After finding out, I did feel rude, but not because I was disrespectful. I just wish I would have known who he was, maybe introduced myself, said thanks for putting on the tournament, etc. Had he been in uniform with rank stripes...well I wouldn't have thought he was a parent helper the whole time!

Well, it is isnt one to ponder why vernerable masters and grandmasters do not concern themselves with fancy uniforms, patterns, stripes? If i had seen this person helping out, I would have inquired from others there who he was. Generally at such events, I make it my concern and curiousity, to know or meet anyone who I do not know.

[Ti]

When you come from a system that doesn't use it, it's easy to say "you are just a bragger" etc... But when you think about it, it serves a useful function. It helps identify rank, so if you do go to a multi dojo event and you all have to line up, it takes out alot of the guess work. or when you need to pair with similar rank, also makes it easier. etc...

I come from a system that doesn't use dan bars on belts, but after looking at dan bars on people, it actually does serve a function.

[RichardZ]

So the function is for easy, first hand observation?