Ever had someone tell you martial arts is stupid?

[blackbeltedbeauty]

Hi all! Ever had anyone tell you that martial arts is stupid and there's no point learning it? I did in high school back in the day, where everyone makes fun of everyone for everything. I still get it sometimes, but here's my reaction to those people: :2xBird2: and :flame: and :mp5: What's your reaction?

Thanx,
Becky

[bignick]

This is my reaction...

"................................................"

sometimes you just have to ignore people

[Satt]

Here's mine...:rofl:

[BrandiJo]

eh i just tell them to each there own and go about my own thing :rolleyes:

[Dr. Kenpo]

A fair amount of the time, but who argues with the ignorant?:)

[Sarah]

I have never had that.....maybe they are all scared of my superior skills....:rolleyes:

[jfarnsworth]

Yep! Every monday before I go to class and when arriving home. :jedi1:
And my dad plus a few others but I just smile at them. :uhyeah:

[Zepp]

Nope, never personally. I've read crap like that on the internet, usually written by someone who's trying to advertise their own "self-defense" class (or videos), as if nothing that they're teaching is ever used by those training in something called a "martial art." But nobody's actually ever said that to me directly.

[Vadim]

In my line of work some fellow co-workers say you dont need martial arts. You just need a big barrel shotgun to prtect yourself. I just nod my head and try to make them aware of other options. They say you can lead a horse to water but you cant make 'em drink. :idunno:

-Vadim

[Galvatron]

Yeah it happens from time to time.
The best one i ever got was "I got a glock in my truck that'll handle any black belt" To which I promptly replied "Great, let's see you go get it".

I tend to ignore most, or laugh. I offer the persistent ones the chance to prove their point.

[8253]

I prefer not to argue with close-minded people who would say MAs are stupid.

[pakua]

but here's my reaction to those people: :2xBird2: and :flame: and :mp5:

Hmmm.... if that's your reaction, I'd venture to suggest that you've missed the point of MA somewhere along the way.

[DoxN4cer]

I've had a few people tell me that MA are useless. Once, early on in my MA career (almost 20 years ago) I had a wrestler (greco-roman and free style) tell me that. He asked me to show him some things, and being an "honorable" MA guy I moved with control and limited the contact of my strikes. The wrestler mopped the floor with me. My instructor walked on the floor seeing this. He called for a stop to the action and mopped the floor with the wrestler.

I've had a few people of various backgrounds tell me MA are useless/stupid/BS/etc., and in response I offered to show them on the mat (or grass). All but one declined. The one who did not decline actually did decline at first, but jumped me moments later when my back was turned. I then proceded to give him an intense lesson in MA. He certainly doesn't think MA are BS anymore.

Tim Kashino

[Drac]

In my line of work some fellow co-workers say you dont need martial arts. You just need a big barrel shotgun to prtect yourself. I just nod my head and try to make them aware of other options. They say you can lead a horse to water but you cant make 'em drink. :idunno:

-Vadim
I hear ya..Some of the coppers I work with say they don't need that " Karate Bulls**t" when I have this and they pat their holstered weapon...

[red_herring]

...I noticed that most of the people who wrote here are doing Korean martial arts(excample TKD).I think it happens very ofthen that some ignorant pople say that eastern MA are not effective at all.Im interested in Korean and Japanese martial art too.Usually when I meet my father and we talk about MA then he makes fun over me, because my point is 'its about who does the martial art and every MA can be effective'.Guess what has my father done?...WRESLING of course:ultracool He has won several titles and stuff.So he thinks he can take me on in any given moment and finish me off before I even notice it.
I think it is very interesting, many(if not all)MMA people say that eastern styles are pointless and not effective at all.Why is that?Its a fact that many of the arts have a long history and they have been used for a very long time and it has been very effective.For excample TKD is teached to Korean soldiers.And the operative units in HK use Hap Ki Do(and the operative units in HK are expected to be the best in the world)
...I think Im going off topic here, but I really wanted to cheer my idea with you and hear what you think about it.Why do people who do "western" martial arts think "eastern" MA are pointless?
If I have asked people who say so then they counter me with"Have you ever seen a TKD or a Wing Shun master haveing sucsess in K1 or PRIDE?"Yes there are no masters like that in PRIDE or K1, but I cant imagine what would bring a wing shun master to fight in PRIDE.
Anyway I hope to hear your ideas about it:)

ps.Sorry about spelling mistakes and grammar errors.

H.F.

[kroh]

I've only had some one tell me they are stupid once...and then they pointed their finger at me as if they were pistol in hand and said pow. I proceded to grab the extended digit (after all, pointing it is like an offer right ???) and twist it in an uncomfy manner as to make them issue forth a screach that would do a Catholic school girl proud. I then responded with, "If you are going to stick out your finger and say pow...make sure you do it with the real thing."

Seriously, ignore those that mock...Just smile and issue a very confident "ok..if you say so" and then go about your merry way. Just remember that in your head remember this one quote..." You don't have to beleive to get your butt whipped..."

Remember that guy who said that it was round and not flat... They didn't beleive him either...

Walt

[Sin]

This is my reaction...

"................................................"

sometimes you just have to ignore people
Exactly

[loki09789]

"Is not"
"Uh Huh"
"Uh uh"
Uh Huh
Uh uh
UHUHUHUHUHUHUHU.............

Who cares what they think, quite honestly. It is sort of like discussions about religion with people who have an ax to grind... live the principles that you are linking to your martial arts/religion by 'leading by example' and their criticisms will be moot.

More powerfully, invite them to see for themselves/participate so that they can form a fair/informed opinion. When (notice it isn't if:)) they decline/refuse express your disappointment that they aren't being more fair than judgemental...and walk away/change topics.

[Paul B]

In my line of work,it happens daily. I don't care.People will say whatever they have to say,and it changes or effects nothing.

I forget who said this....you can't kick every dog that barks at you....:)

[shesulsa]

CeiCei posted a similar thread. My in-laws think MA is pretty stupid and a distant second to a firearm. They shake their heads and grin when I show up at family functions with something wrapped or a big bruise. I just blame it on my husband and say, "My martial arts failed me again! I must need private lessons ..." and laugh with them. I think this eases the tension for everybody.

I tried saying stuff like, 'the cops we train don't think it's garbage,' and 'oh yeah, that's why we have a gun shop owner training with us,' but these things fall on deaf ears.

I agree with Loki and bignick. Ignore them mostly, and keep on keepin' on - live the principles.

The road less travelled isn't travelled less because it's easy.

[loki09789]

CeiCei posted a similar thread. My in-laws think MA is pretty stupid and a distant second to a firearm. .
I use to respond to the 'I prefer guns' mentallity by asking them "do you have your gun on you now?" and generally the answer is a big fat no and I say "what good is it to you then? I carry my brain with me everywhere...."

If done well, martial arts is a scientific study of problem solving at mach two when the world is falling apart around you. Martial arts training should/can include some firearms familiarization/training as well.

"Gun NUTS" that look down on martial arts are too busy pidgeon holing to understand.

Check out Masaad Ayoob and the like if you want to see/read people who see the connections instead of the differences.

[shesulsa]

We seem to agree, Paul.

Your post reminds me of a time when my teacher gestured towards another student we had at the time (was a Navy Seal in Vietnam) and asked me what I would do if someone like him came at me. I responded, ".45, Sir."

"Got one?" he asked.

"No, Sir."

"Then you'd better come up with something else."

:asian:

[Sin]

Guns and Blades are too final for me. i would much rather let the guy live, than live with the guilt of killing someone when there was another way.

[loki09789]

Guns and Blades are too final for me. i would much rather let the guy live, than live with the guilt of killing someone when there was another way.
The 'other way' is generally the better choice, for sure. Just look at the way that use of force laws are written to see that this is the general consensus. But, in self defense situations what we would prefer and what is necessary at the moment might not be one in the same.

[CMack11]

We seem to agree, Paul.

Your post reminds me of a time when my teacher gestured towards another student we had at the time (was a Navy Seal in Vietnam) and asked me what I would do if someone like him came at me. I responded, ".45, Sir."

"Got one?" he asked.

"No, Sir."

"Then you'd better come up with something else."

:asian:

That's too funny!

I keep my MA studies pretty much a secret (only my immediate family members and very close friends know), so I don't hear this too often. But I typically ignore people like this anyway.

[The Kai]

I get the "Gun Thing" alot-always said there is only two things between your gun and you. Little ole me and my dumb ass martial arts-How ya feeling now?


Had a felow martial artist get confronted by two guys at a bar, with the "martial artsndon't mean **** to me". Looking at each other for support approval, they looked back to see a exposed blade in thier face! (Not recommended, but diffuse the situation)
Back in High school buddies loved showing up my Mad skills. Found out that when trying to apply a jointlock, or Counter strike at a nice pace left alot of oppurtunities open, went thru months of this. So one day a buddy attacked and I countered at speed-then i was amean guy!
Todd

[loki09789]

Back in High school buddies loved showing up my Mad skills. Found out that when trying to apply a jointlock, or Counter strike at a nice pace left alot of oppurtunities open, went thru months of this. So one day a buddy attacked and I countered at speed-then i was amean guy!
Todd
YUP! That idea of 'intention' and 'context' and 'justified use of force' are so important. If you are not intent on delivering a technique close or at the reality of application, it will just lead to getting embarassed - and it only reaffirms that MA is BS to those doubters. They, and sometime we, forget about the 'intention' issue in techniques.

We do this in training all the time. "Throw a straight right" and you do your technique at a 'learning pace'.... at that pace, if your training partner is a doubter intent on showing you up, he/she won't move 'within the rules' of training pace and you will 'lose.'

Oh well, let them feel superior...if that is what they need to feel good, they must really be needy:)

[DeLamar.J]

The problem is that there are so many watered down schools now that people off the street can sometimes walk right in and school everyone. Then that gets passed through the grapevine, and all of a sudden martial arts does not work. There are REAL schools out there, and when they run into one, the ignorant opinions will be knocked right out of them.
My good friend is the top student at chinese martial arts school where they have whats called an open challenge policy, where anyone has the right to fight the top student at any time, or if someone has a rank higher than you, and you feel they do not deserve it, you can challenge them, if you win then you take there rank and they take yours.
People with ignorant opinions will get smacked around very quickly if they come into a school acting that way.

[kroh]

Hey Paul (loki),

can I use that problem solving mach two comment...Quoting the source obviously...

Wonderful explanation....
Walt

[loki09789]

Hey Paul (loki),

can I use that problem solving mach two comment...Quoting the source obviously...

Wonderful explanation....
Walt
Absolutely, I actually adapted it from an explanation of fencing that called it 'chess at mach two' and just expanded it to apply to all MA and a broader context.

[kroh]

Thank you Sir...

Walt

[Kamaria Annina]

I really don't that from anyone, if anything it's the other way around. Two people I know, who don't seem to like me for any particular reason hated me. Funny thing is, when these two people found out (one found out from her sister, and another seeing me walking into the training center) they are acting strangely nice O_O o.O

[OC Kid]

yea I usally get the what if have to fight a boxer in which i reply I would use my feet, then I hear the you cant stop a bullet to which my normal reply is..you got one with ya (No!)..pretty stupid remark huh??

[someguy]

This is my response :btg: :whip: take this :whip: and this :boxing: and a bit of this :boxing: oh and some of this :hammer: bwahaha :enguard:
Then I finish it off with this :moon: .
NOt really I just was looking for an excuss to us a bunch of smiles.
THat done. Big nick has the right idea for this. "........." :wavey:

[kroh]

roflmao

[chinto01]

Most people who do not understand what the goal of the martial arts is tend to say this. My own mother said this until she saw how it really improved my life. People will always mock what they do not understand.

[gmunoz]

Many people have a preconceived idea of what Martial arts are. Of course I get confronted with the Bruce Lee questions and comparisons. No one has really ever told me they're stupid. Actually they've been more impressed and think it's cool.

[shesulsa]

People will always mock what they do not understand.
This is one of my favorite sayings. :ultracool

[TigerWoman]

Maybe this a younger generation phenomena, saying out loud to a martial artist that what they do is stupid. Adults even if they may think it, at least are usually silent. I prefer it that way. If they want to know, they ask or investigate it before passing judgement without enough information. So who is it now that looks stupid? TW

[BlueDragon1981]

I had one person say "Your martial arts is not going to do anything against my 45?"...I just laughed and said "Do you think that is why I study martial arts..so that I can go up against your 45?" I didn't get a response.


Most of the time when someone says this to me...I simply ignore them. I can take people harrassing me....but when they are mocking someone else I know that is martial arts and they aren't as good at taking harresment...well then I have been known to say some words...lol...you will just have to leave what I say up to your imagination.....and no 99% of the time it does not involve fowl language or body language.

[Tony]

I rarely tell anyone I study Martial Arts unless it is another Martial Artist I'm talking to, because I can talk about Martial Arts for hours with like minded people. I never turn up to class with my Kung Fu clothes on show as I always have a jacket on and our class isn't one of these Karate or taekwondo classes where everyone wears the white uniforms with the name of the school. Its T shirts and black pants but we do have our own logo but I don't like to wear anything like this in public because it is really asking for trouble.

[jaymo]

yes, i've had people tell me the martial arts are stupid...but they're usually stupid themselves. i also get people making comments because i'm a fat martial artist, saying: "that's when you know they are just giving that s__t away".

then i kick them squa in dee nuts.

just kidding about the nuts part, i only use my powers for good. i would rather pee on myself than hurt someone else.

[OnlyAnEgg]

Our kids play a lot with the neighbors' kids. The neighbor's kids dad has badmouthed MA a couple of times and my stepson has asked what he should do when he hears things like that. I told him, although a straight punch to the nads would be spectacular, smiling and walking away would be more respectful and dignified.

He has, thus far, been repectful and dignified.

[MichiganTKD]

I prefer to be a living embodiment of all the good that martial arts can do. Patience, persistance, respect, self control etc. If someone thinks martial arts is stupid, my general reaction (thought, not spoken) is that their lives must be incredibly shallow and unsatisfying to put down what they undoubtably have not experienced. That deserves pity, not scorn or anger. Not because they don't practice, but because of all the negativity they carry around.

[kelly keltner]

I am usually the one telling other people martial arts are stupid. Or I agree with them after they make the statment. That way I only am subjected to their garbage for about half the time.

kelly

"never argue with a fool for they may be doing the same thing"
Bruce Juchnik

[Erik]

I had one person say "Your martial arts is not going to do anything against my 45?"I've just put guys in a rear-naked choke, given a little pressure (not enough to knock them out or cause them to panic), and said, "okay, shoot me. Go ahead... come on... I'm waiting." When they try to reach for a pretend gun, I give a little pressure, just enough that they know that I own them.

This assumes that such a thing is not too inappropriate at the given time and place. It's certainly roughhousing.

I've trained with a few UFC fighters (who are significantly better than I am) who get plenty of respect from their competitions being on TV. It's lame, but by being associated with them, I look that much better.

Also, I've made 7 choke-outs on the street, broken two guys' arms, and one guy's knee. I was a bouncer for a few years. I just mention this and that what I do seems to have worked pretty well for me over the years.

These things stop most snyde commentaries.

[hardheadjarhead]

I had one person say "Your martial arts is not going to do anything against my 45


And then they point the .45 caliber index finger against you, and pull the trigger. They then say "Bang," or words to that effect.

Had one friend in high school say he'd just use his .357 magnum on me. I asked him where it was.

"In my car."
"Where's the car?"
"In the lower parking lot." (400 yards away)
"Where is it in the car?"
"Locked in the glove compartment"
"Is the car locked?"
"Yeah."
"Is the gun loaded?"
"No."
"Where's the ammunition?"
"Locked in the trunk."
"Race ya."

That sort of settled it.

They always assume WE don't own guns and would never use them. Isn't that odd?


Regards,

Steve

[still learning]

Hello, For those who have not experience the martial world will say dumb things, like your karate does not work. Lots of hear say? We know the benefits of our training. Just let those people believe what they want. Better to learn something, than do nothing. It is easy to stay home, but to better yourself? We go to training! Confidents is gain. Awareness is learn. Prevention is better than cure. .....At least we believe it is not stupid....Aloha