Trial class nightmare!!!

[honoluludesktop]

I cross train at different dojos & gyms a lot. And my general rule is to answer "no" when asked if I've prior training. I do this when moving from style to style, but also from ryu to ryu.

I just hate having to sit throught a propaganda session. And even when they're nice, I find that the new instructors waste an enormous amount of time contrastring on how "we do" opposed to how "you do" it. And frankly, it takes too much energy to keep my eyes from rolling from one side of my head to the other.

Generally I wear a nicely washed speckled cleaned white gi with a white belt. And when inquired about prior training, I answer "no" or "no" or "no" no matter how many times they repeat their question.

Ok, so how do you handle it when they see you perform, and it becomes obvious that you have had prior training, and they ask you again?

I also wonder about that--don't you have a problem with blatantly lying? When I started training in Shorin-Ryu I told my instructor about my Judo and Shuri-Ryu training and he didn't give me any propaganda speeches or comparisons beyond mentioning a difference between what I was doing and what they teach.

This is a interesting topic. I can see both sides. You don't want the hassle, vs. being honest. Well honesty rules, doesn't it? There is no lying in a fight. If you are going from dojo to dojo, it almost seems like you are testing yourself, or challenging them. To be fair, shouldn't the dojo you are trying, know that. I would wear a white belt, but be honest about the years I have practiced. If pressed about my grade, I would say black belt, and try to leave it at that. The only person you need to talk in detail to is the Sensei. And, don't show off. As far as sitting through a properganda session, you are the one that is asking for a free lesson, have the manners to put up with them.

[GeoGiant]

Just like the BMW salesman who tries to sell you a car by criticizing your entry level Benz. Sure way to get on your good side.

For me, this statement sums it up. I would have been very receptive to hearing why my art would aid my training at his dojo. Why would he think that it would turn me on to hear that I've been wasting my time training?

What was even more annoying was that I was talking to the instructor who is a guy in his late 30s early 40s and he was indirectly insulting my instructor who is a Grandmaster... has operated his dojo since the 70's. Right now, I train with guys that have worked out with my instructor for almost 20 years, some local cops and security guys.

I was personally offended on many levels.

I would never tell anyone not to train with this person nor I have/would I share my experience with others. If someone approached me with a MA interest I would tell them positives of my dojo. Trashing others is never a good idea.

[brickshooter]

I cross train at different dojos & gyms a lot. And my general rule is to answer "no" when asked if I've prior training. I do this when moving from style to style, but also from ryu to ryu.

I just hate having to sit throught a propaganda session. And even when they're nice, I find that the new instructors waste an enormous amount of time contrastring on how "we do" opposed to how "you do" it. And frankly, it takes too much energy to keep my eyes from rolling from one side of my head to the other.

Generally I wear a nicely washed speckled cleaned white gi with a white belt. And when inquired about prior training, I answer "no" or "no" or "no" no matter how many times they repeat their question.

Ok, so how do you handle it when they see you perform, and it becomes obvious that you have had prior training, and they ask you again?

I generally smirk, then say no again.

Instructors generally get the hint and move on.

From my own experience, the experienced instructors don't even ask. They know my style, background & experience based on my motion and understanding of instructions. Some even knew it from the way I bow which was interesting.

As for owing a propaganda lecture because it was a free lesson? Pass. I'll move on. I'm the customer. If they want my business, they'll have to accomodate. Else, I'll give my business to their competitor.

[Wastelander]

I cross train at different dojos & gyms a lot. And my general rule is to answer "no" when asked if I've prior training. I do this when moving from style to style, but also from ryu to ryu.

I just hate having to sit throught a propaganda session. And even when they're nice, I find that the new instructors waste an enormous amount of time contrastring on how "we do" opposed to how "you do" it. And frankly, it takes too much energy to keep my eyes from rolling from one side of my head to the other.

Generally I wear a nicely washed speckled cleaned white gi with a white belt. And when inquired about prior training, I answer "no" or "no" or "no" no matter how many times they repeat their question.

Ok, so how do you handle it when they see you perform, and it becomes obvious that you have had prior training, and they ask you again?

I also wonder about that--don't you have a problem with blatantly lying? When I started training in Shorin-Ryu I told my instructor about my Judo and Shuri-Ryu training and he didn't give me any propaganda speeches or comparisons beyond mentioning a difference between what I was doing and what they teach.

This is a interesting topic. I can see both sides. You don't want the hassle, vs. being honest. Well honesty rules, doesn't it? There is no lying in a fight. If you are going from dojo to dojo, it almost seems like you are testing yourself, or challenging them. To be fair, shouldn't the dojo you are trying, know that. I would wear a white belt, but be honest about the years I have practiced. If pressed about my grade, I would say black belt, and try to leave it at that. The only person you need to talk in detail to is the Sensei. And, don't show off. As far as sitting through a properganda session, you are the one that is asking for a free lesson, have the manners to put up with them.

I don't have a white belt anymore, just my brown belt from Shuri-Ryu and my green belt from Judo. When I asked about it he said he didn't mind and I could borrow one until I bought one. Later he flat out told me "No." when I asked him before I was about to buy one. He said that because my basics from my Shuri-Ryu training were so strong it wouldn't be right to have me in with white belts as anything other than an example of a high level brown belt. I'm pretty sure I turned a nice bright shade of red when I asked if he was sure

[bushido_man96]

I cross train at different dojos & gyms a lot. And my general rule is to answer "no" when asked if I've prior training. I do this when moving from style to style, but also from ryu to ryu.

I just hate having to sit throught a propaganda session. And even when they're nice, I find that the new instructors waste an enormous amount of time contrastring on how "we do" opposed to how "you do" it. And frankly, it takes too much energy to keep my eyes from rolling from one side of my head to the other.

Generally I wear a nicely washed speckled cleaned white gi with a white belt. And when inquired about prior training, I answer "no" or "no" or "no" no matter how many times they repeat their question.

Ok, so how do you handle it when they see you perform, and it becomes obvious that you have had prior training, and they ask you again?

I generally smirk, then say no again.

Instructors generally get the hint and move on.

From my own experience, the experienced instructors don't even ask. They know my style, background & experience based on my motion and understanding of instructions. Some even knew it from the way I bow which was interesting.

As for owing a propaganda lecture because it was a free lesson? Pass. I'll move on. I'm the customer. If they want my business, they'll have to accomodate. Else, I'll give my business to their competitor.

Ok, I'll go with that. As far as being the customer goes, you are right there. As far as keeping up the "no" answer goes, I guess if they eventually take the hint, then great.

What I do respect of you here, at least what I gather from the way your posts read, is that you don't admit any previous training, nor do you bring up any "I do it this way because...." points of view. If you are going and trying to learn what they teach you, the way they teach you, and not bringing up what you've done before and why you do it that way, then I can respect that.

But let me know if I am wrong on that point...

[Lee M]

I agree on this.

Its nice just to walk in the door and train and not have to deal with instructors justifying themselves and their art.