Can You Tell?

[sensei8]

Someone walks into your school of the MA...By just looking at someone...

Can you tell if that person is or isn't a MAist? If so, can you tell if this MAist is a black belt/equivalent or not? If so, can you tell by her/his posture or his/her aura or how he/she carries him/herself or by his/her conditioned hands/knuckles?

What's the first thing about this someone that catches you eye?

[lowereastside]

Most of the time I can - But I have been fooled once or twice. Sometimes you can tell by looking at the hands and or posture - or by the ways a person gestures - walks - attitude......- look i'm approaching almost 50 years of experience - and like I said some people just don't give out those vibs.

[ps1]

Most of the time I can - But I have been fooled once or twice. Sometimes you can tell by looking at the hands and or posture - or by the ways a person gestures - walks - attitude......- look i'm approaching almost 50 years of experience - and like I said some people just don't give out those vibs.

I agree with this. It's like being a veteran. I can usually spot another veteran from a mile away. Not always correct, but alot of times I am.

[JCavin]

For some reasn I'm good at spotting a grappler. I have no clue why though

[inventor]

I do not concern myself regarding the vastness of a person's martial arts experience, In a world of seven year old nidans, ten year MA careers that result in blackbelts in five different systems, and fifty year old people who trained for two months when they were five years old and now claim forty-five years in the martial arts; why should I? I read their eyes to determine the depth of their understanding.

[Dobbersky]

I can tell if someone has done martial arts before, I can also tell, if they've done Japanese or Chinese based arts too

[Kusotare]

I think the biggest clue would be the fact that they just walked into your dojo!?

Most experienced martial artists would have done their research and (if they have any manners) made contact with you prior to just turning up!.

So if someone does just turn up, they are more than likely a beginner ime

K.

[Shizentai]

I can sometimes tell just by looking at someone on the street whether they train or not, but a person's chokuzuki tells pretty much everything.

[sensei8]

Solid posts thus far all!! Thank you!!

[ninjanurse]

I have found that most sincere martial artists will enter your school with an "aire" of mutual respect which can be seen by the way they carry themselves, place their hands, and introduce themselves, etc....you can't hide your training. Those that try to put on a show when they come in are usually not what they say they are....or are delusional.