Am I a total jerk?

[GojuRyu Bahrain]

(DISCLAIMER: Long introduction warning)

I have a long standing habit of visiting martial arts clubs wherever I travel, and met a lot of nice, and some really interesting people that way. Additionally, I have always tried to cross-train in as many martial arts as my time permitted. During single day visits and 4 year stays, always, have I been received friendly, invited to train (sometimes along with the class and on lucky occasions in curious and open-minded exchange with the instructor and few senior students after class). In my introduction to a new club (I try to write an email in advance) I tell a little about my background and interests. Never was my belt an issue: Visiting any Karate school I wore my black belt until I graduated in this school (I was graded to black and brown belt in other Karate styles). Visiting another martial art, I would always wear white unless asked otherwise, until I graded to another rank (Kobudo: Black; Escrima: brown; Kendo: Green; Kempo : Orange; Judo, Aikido + White ). It was never a question.....Uff, long introduction......

Recently, I contacted another Goju Ryu school and they invited me to train with them - if I would wear a white belt. Now I should explain that my main style is Goju Ryu (since the beginning in 1989), I've practiced continuously. My bunkais work. So, I tied this white belt around my waist, looked at myself in the mirror, and took it off. I am not going to visit this club. In any other martial art, absolutely. In my own style - no. Not for anybody. Not in Goju Ryu!

Finally, back to my original question: Have I become an arrogant jerk? I hope not, but I'd like our thoughts and comments.

[sensei8]

I'd say that you're not as long as you're respectful in your responses!!

Having said that, whatever I do in my dojo is my business, but whatever I do in someone else's dojo is their business. While I'm ranked in Shindokan, I don't assume a position that I don't possess while I visit other Shindokan dojo's. That's my way because that's what I was taught by my Dai-Soke!! So, each year I visit every Shindokan dojo and before I wrap my BB around my waist and parade onto their floor, I always seek their permission..each and every time.

Each and every year they remind me that I don't need to ask them each time and I respond by reminding them that I do; it's ingrained in me so much, it's a habit, and it's one I do to honor them and my Dai-Soke.

If any Shindokan dojo I was going to be visiting had insisted that I wear a white belt, well, I'd wrap it around my waist willingly and eagerly. No foul and no offense taken. Why? For me, it's just a belt and nothing else, not to me anymore and it hasn't been like that for many, many years.

[ninjanurse]

It is a matter of philosophy here as I too would not hestitate to wear a white belt in any school regardless of my ranking in the style however, I would question the integrity & intentions of any school that would not honor a black belt in their own style simply because you come from a different dojo.

[sensei8]

It is a matter of philosophy here as I too would not hestitate to wear a white belt in any school regardless of my ranking in the style however, I would question the integrity & intentions of any school that would not honor a black belt in their own style simply because you come from a different dojo.

Solid post!!

[mal103]

There is a line between being respectful of the place your visiting and wanting to keep some level of grade/rank.

Anyone that walked into any Dojo and demanded to slot in exactly where they felt they should be or expected everyone to bow like crazy at them probably wouldn't be very welcome but if someone has trained in the same style and respectfully asked to join you to train then they shouldn't have a ton of rules thrown at them.

I'm only a Shodan and i've trained in a few other Dojo's, always asked to train, always introduced myself to the Sensei and everyone else if time permitted, i've always asked where to slot in and tried to find out what their ettiquette rules were.

I would have been a bit peeved if they gave me a white belt and was told to stand on the end - not exactly going to learn much!

We've had a few people visit and most have been equally respectful, a couple have been coming back to training and automatically stood at the white belt end until I dragged them up to stand with the Black belts, one was a Nidan so after a few weeks back into training I swapped places with them, they never demanded it.

I would actively encourage everyone to go out and train with others, anyone who is wary of you training with them or demands things like wearing a white belt may not be the best Dojo or have something to hide?

[ps1]

Sounds like disrespect and lots of ego from both parties involved.

1. Disrespect on the part of the guy wanting you not to wear your belt.

2. Ego on your part thinking it really matters.

[JusticeZero]

Again I find myself advocating for the Guest Belt, a belt wildly alien to your ranking system to be worn by visiting artists unfamiliar with your school.

[Kuma]

If it is someone I genuinely want to train with, I don't mind adapting to the ways of their school. There are different Goju Ryu organizations so this could be a factor. They may have also had a bad experience where a visitor claimed to have earned a black belt but then they found out later it wasn't the case.

Personally when I'm visiting any place I prefer to wear a white belt if I can find one. This way I don't get concerned with having to be a model to others and I can just focus on my own training. Belts have never really enchanted me that much either to be honest.

[Harkon72]

I don't see a problem with wearing a white belt in a new Dojo. If it is my style, then I am ready to grade with the new Sensei so they can decide what grade they think I have attained. If I'm not happy I would go elsewhere. Until then I would wear a white belt. Of course, within my organisation/association, my grade is valid. The idea of a guest belt is interesting, and maybe a worthwhile tool. Pride in your grade is one thing, a lack of humility is another.

[Wastelander]

Well, I think it's silly for someone within your same style to ask you to wear a white belt (assuming they know you are an experienced Goju-Ryu karateka) unless the way they do things is so different from what you do that they might as well be different styles. That said, I wouldn't be offended or upset by it--you're just visiting, after all, so what does it matter what the color of your belt is while you're visiting?

I haven't been training anywhere near as long as you, and I have not yet reached a black belt rank, but if I was traveling and a Shorin-Ryu dojo I wanted to visit asked me to wear a white belt instead of my brown belt, I would do it. I'm just there to train and exchange ideas, and I could be wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt for all I care, as long as I get to do those things.