That's the first time I've heard of this and I'm not really surprised as how commercialized the study and the business of martial arts is in the US of A.
Anyway, I've trained in the Far East many many moons ago as well.
My son is training here in the US (for 4 years now) and yes indeed there are many many differences.
Anyway, I have never went around telling others about what "belt" I've achieved or what arts I've trained in or anything related to that. And this goes the same with my son.
Besides, I've done too much "sparring" in the gym, I have no intention or reason of doing any outside. Except when absolutely needed. And I know and respect what I can and cannot do, so I really have no reason to brag or show off or convince others.
Back home, we do not even wear our gis outside the gym, never, much more flaunt our belts. Geez.
There are reason why it is taught not to tell other you train in martial arts.
1 someone will ask you to show them something.
2 some may want to try you to trying to prove you don't know anything or to gain a reputation by beating a martial artist
3 the element of surprise works in your favor
4 today this is a fast pace society. everyone is in a hurry. many are going from one place to another and time may not permit you to change in the dojo
It is not really about because you are not supposed to show off your rank. That in my opinion is a misinterpretation. I don't believe most people are trying to show off their rank by wearing their uniform. It could be worn out of convenience. It could be they train in a place like I do, There aren't any good places to change into your uniform. We don't have a locker room. There is a restroom but it is not the cleanest. You wouldn't want to be on those floors. The only locker rooms are reserved for those that come to swim and they are not always open.
I'm certain other can add more reasons why people were encouraged not to wear them outside of the dojo. Some of these reason will be based on myths, some not.
Martial Arts are supposed to teach modesty. Which means that you should NEVER show off your rank. Putting a sticker on the back of your car, advertising to the world that you're a black belt is very dishonorable to me.
On the other hand, it's not unusual to see people walking into stores with their karate gear on, Sometimes, you don't have time to change out of your gear (this happens to me sometimes, but I usually take off my belt to try not to show off). Think about it, it's really no different from a hockey team wearing their track suits outside of hockey that say "AAA" on them, the moral of this is, it's not to show off (though this is sometimes the case), it's usually because they are proud to participate in it.
In all karate competitions that I've entered, we don't group fights by belt rank, hell you don't WANT your opponent to know what rank you are. It's just green belt and up, because when it gets to the competition, you are measured by skill, not the colour of dyed cloth around your waist. You could be absolute **** at karate, but go to a mcdojo and have a 6 dan black belt if you spend enough.
My philosophy is, that no kid should have a black belt. They shouldn't. Why the hell would you give them the confidence when they can be beaten by any adult with no fighting skill. Where I go, in order to rank up a belt, you have to be able to beat everybody in your current belt at sparring, no matter how big, or how small. We don't give sympathy for kids and let them pass their belt exam if they don't meet the requirements. If you have gone through THAT kind of testing to get their black belt, then they WILL NOT by putting magnets on the back of their car to advertise they are a black belt.
So the next time you pass a car with "black belt" stickers on them, you can rest assured knowing that they probably aren't a legitimate black belt.
Hope this helps,
Rob
Yea, their 10 year old sons be like "I'm a black belt". One smack to the face and they're straight down crying.
I loath this, a black belt means nothing but you have a piece of cloth. It doesn't prove you're great, or even an invincible person. But I'd let it pass and make it a laugh since they're just kids. They don't know what's what in the world.
The only reason I'd be hesitant to walk into a shop with a karate gi on is the fact that I never wore my gi unless I've been training and if I've been training I'd stink so bad that the shops are really not a good place for me to be.
I don't agree with any of that stuff. Martial arts is for self defense and self improvement. Not for getting attention. I don't think its ok to show off your rank. Most people don't. Some people don't even tell most people that they take martial arts, let alone their rank.
I disagree with people that flaunt around their martial arts. It's for self defense, not attention.
I was in back of a car today that had some stickers/bumper stickers in regards to karate. One of them was a “Black Belt” magnet type thing, the others were “My Son is A Black Belt” and “My Daughter Is A Black Belt”. I took karate classes many many moons ago and I remember them mentioning this isn’t something anyone should know or you should flaunt. Is this true or is it ok to “show off” what your rank is?
