What belt are you, and what do you practice? I just became a blue-green belt, and I study Shaolin Kenpo.

Hey there NirVana, I'm a 2nd dan black in Taekwondo. The MAs, great stuff, my favorite pastime and passion!

Sorry, I meant to type Blue-Green belt. I just edited it.

Right now, I'm not wearing one. :)

I train in Silat. We don't have belts.

I'm a green stripe in TaeKwon-Do... just passed my 7th Kup grading, we have 10 colour belts.

I have a black drawstring on my tracksuit pants. Does that count?

I have a black drawstring on my tracksuit pants. Does that count?


It's a belt of sorts isn't it? Course it counts Adept.

I have a black drawstring on my tracksuit pants. Does that count?

Well hello Mister Fancy Pants! Some of us out here are still keeping our pants shut with safety pins, and you're swaggering around with your expensive black-drawstring tracksuit bottoms!
Your back will be up against the wall come the revolution!

No belt...Master Instructor in Police Defensive Tactics..

Higher than I used to be. Not as high as I wish to be.

Higher than I used to be. Not as high as I wish to be.


Well said...

1st gup Taekwondo (my current art)
2nd kyu Aikido (my first art)

Various ranks in between in others arts along the way. :)

Peace,
Erik

Thank you. Point being, it is impolite to ask someone their rank. Their manners and way of talking and conducting themselves will speak for them. It is acceptable to ask someone how long they've practiced, and draw inferences from that. Now, if they tell you what rank they are, that's their perogative. I prefer to let people guess personally.:uhyeah:
If someone is a color belt and asks, I chalk it up to inexperience.

I have a black drawstring on my tracksuit pants. Does that count?

I don't think so. To be on the safe side, I would go out and get something shiny and ostentatious. :lol:

I keep seeing camoflage belts in the catalogs when I look for sparring gear for my daughters, and those always make me laugh. "I'm a 1st degree camoflage, thanks" :lol:

(of course, if your style actually requires a camoflage belt, then excuse my ignorance)

I'm a purple belt in TKD. But, hopefully, by the end of this month, I might become a 2nd degree blue belt.

Thank you. Point being, it is impolite to ask someone their rank. Their manners and way of talking and conducting themselves will speak for them. It is acceptable to ask someone how long they've practiced, and draw inferences from that. Now, if they tell you what rank they are, that's their perogative. I prefer to let people guess personally.:uhyeah:
If someone is a color belt and asks, I chalk it up to inexperience.
I didn't think it would be rude to ask. I was just curious.

Thank you. Point being, it is impolite to ask someone their rank. Their manners and way of talking and conducting themselves will speak for them. It is acceptable to ask someone how long they've practiced, and draw inferences from that. Now, if they tell you what rank they are, that's their perogative. I prefer to let people guess personally.:uhyeah:
If someone is a color belt and asks, I chalk it up to inexperience.

I have never heard this before during my journey in martial arts from anyone of any style or system. Where did this come from?

To answer the initial post.
Black Belts in multiple systems all above 1st Degree.

I'm a purple belt in TKD. But, hopefully, by the end of this month, I might become a 2nd degree blue belt.

Forgive my ignorance, but how does that work exactly? Is there an associated Kup level (3rd, perhaps?) with 2nd degree blue?

Well hello Mister Fancy Pants! Some of us out here are still keeping our pants shut with safety pins, and you're swaggering around with your expensive black-drawstring tracksuit bottoms!
Your back will be up against the wall come the revolution!

I say we string him up by his cute little black drawstring! It'll send a message to the rest of the bon vivants out there. Onward the revolution!!! :2pistols:

It is part of traditional Tae Kwon Do etiquette. Our GM is a senior Instructor within the Kukkiwon, and he mentioned that in his discussions with us. I don't know how it is within other systems, but traditional TKD practices that point-it is impolite to ask someone what rank they hold.
Again, if a color belt asks me, I can forgive a breach of etiquette. If a black belt asks me, it means they have not learned good manners.

Again, if a color belt asks me, I can forgive a breach of etiquette. If a black belt asks me, it means they have not learned good manners.


What a silly rule.

I say we string him up by his cute little black drawstring! It'll send a message to the rest of the bon vivants out there. Onward the revolution!!! :2pistols:

How about suspenders? Would a nice pair of black suspenders be acceptable?

:)

I wouldn't expect someone who quotes Bruce Lee to understand.

Higher than I used to be. Not as high as I wish to be.

Bad thing to say around a cop :)

I wouldn't expect someone who quotes Bruce Lee to understand.

Why not?

I have, at various stages, used quotes from John Wayne, Christopher Walken, MC Hammer, Clint Eastwood, Muhammed Ali, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Are you making an assumption about me, or about Bruce Lee? Either way, you know what they say about assumptions.

Perhaps you could instead explain to me why I should be offended when someone asks me my rank?

Thank you. Point being, it is impolite to ask someone their rank. Their manners and way of talking and conducting themselves will speak for them. It is acceptable to ask someone how long they've practiced, and draw inferences from that. Now, if they tell you what rank they are, that's their perogative. I prefer to let people guess personally.:uhyeah:
If someone is a color belt and asks, I chalk it up to inexperience.

Impolite according to the particular customs of your school. Those who do not practice Korean revisions of Japanese versions of Okinawan-imported Chinese boxing may not feel bound by those requirements. In other words, manners and respect are what you make of them. Please don't assume that yours is the only standard for politeness.

Probably both. You quoted Bruce Lee, which means that you most likely agree with his philosophies.
Bruce Lee felt that tradition and etiquette were worthless-that how well you could fight was the only indicator of your skill as a martial artist. The purpose of martial arts is not just to produce good technique, it is to produce good people as well. I admire his technique if not his approach.
Asking someone their rank is like asking someone their age. In this country, if you ask someone their age, they quite possibly will get offended, because they will feel their age is irrelevant. So we have a similar philosophy in this country. If you don't practice martial arts and ask my rank, I will tell you. If you are a junior student I will tell you. If you are a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I will probably tell you, but I'm also thinking you don't understand Tae Kwon Do etiquette. A non-TKD black belt I might be willing to let slide if it is not part of your art's etiquette.
If a black belt asks my rank, I will probably just say I am an Instructor level black belt. If you really need to know, just look at the number on my belt.
For everyone who says rank is not important, there you go.

It is part of traditional Tae Kwon Do etiquette. Our GM is a senior Instructor within the Kukkiwon, and he mentioned that in his discussions with us. I don't know how it is within other systems, but traditional TKD practices that point-it is impolite to ask someone what rank they hold.
Again, if a color belt asks me, I can forgive a breach of etiquette. If a black belt asks me, it means they have not learned good manners.

See my earlier notes on "traditional" Tae Kwon Do. You Grandmaster may have a high rank inside his organization. I assume it would be a breach of politeness to ask how high. But since I'm not even a colored belt I can only suppose that you will "forgive" me. It would be sort of strange since I don't really care one way or another about your forgiveness. As you say, you don't know about other systems. It is, therefore, presumptuous to tell someone he is being rude without knowing the particular customs and standards under which he operates.

I wouldn't expect someone who quotes Brue Lee to understand

In an otherwise forgettable movie from the 70s there was one good line. An ANC leader was on trial in South Africa. The prosecutor asked "Isn't it true that you've read The Communist Manifesto?" He replied "Yes. I've also read Mein Kampf, the Magna Carta and Winnie the Pooh." Adept requires no defense. We are all aware that he or she is an intelligent person who writes well. But if you wish to talk about rudeness and acceptable behavior please be aware that your own behavior is not beyond reproach. You're not violating some arcane rule from the self-contained world of your martial arts school. Crude attempts at sarcastic dismissal are the depth of poor manners anywhere in the world, especially when they are used to denigrate real points of argument. In some places it would have earned you a punch in the snoot.

I wasn't trying to be sarcastic. Many Bruce Lee fans are also fans of his philosophy and use his writings as an excuse to justify dismissal of many of the philosophical underpinnings of traditional martial arts, many of which go back hundreds of years, far older than many of the teachings of the man they admire. A man who died at the ripe age of 33.
And my Instructor has told us repeatedly that these are not his rules, they are rules established and practiced by the world Tae Kwon Do community. And since he has been around the world promoting Tae Kwon Do, I hardly think his views are "insular".
He is 9th Dan Kukkiwon BTW. And modern Tae Kwon Do is far from a cheap distillation of Japanese-Okinawan-Chinese styles. It stands on its own quite well thank you.

Many Bruce Lee fans are also fans of his philosophy and use his writings as an excuse to justify dismissal of many of the philosophical underpinnings of traditional martial arts

Such as?

many of which go back hundreds of years, far older than many of the teachings of the man they admire.

Does age equate to accuracy and efficacy?

A man who died at the ripe age of 33.

Relevance?

And my Instructor has told us repeatedly that these are not his rules, they are rules established and practiced by the world Tae Kwon Do community.

That still doesn't make it sensible.

Probably both. You quoted Bruce Lee, which means that you most likely agree with his philosophies.
Bruce Lee felt that tradition and etiquette were worthless-that how well you could fight was the only indicator of your skill as a martial artist. The purpose of martial arts is not just to produce good technique, it is to produce good people as well. I admire his technique if not his approach.
Asking someone their rank is like asking someone their age. In this country, if you ask someone their age, they quite possibly will get offended, because they will feel their age is irrelevant. So we have a similar philosophy in this country. If you don't practice martial arts and ask my rank, I will tell you. If you are a junior student I will tell you. If you are a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I will probably tell you, but I'm also thinking you don't understand Tae Kwon Do etiquette. A non-TKD black belt I might be willing to let slide if it is not part of your art's etiquette.
If a black belt asks my rank, I will probably just say I am an Instructor level black belt. If you really need to know, just look at the number on my belt.
For everyone who says rank is not important, there you go.

Sheesh. I should have given up a while ago. Maybe it's the new meds. The ability to focus is a two-edged sword. *oy*

You're putting a lot of words into the late Mr. Lee's mouth. One wonders how well you knew him. I don't agree with everything the man said, but you know, it's not a bad place to start. So here's a story. When my Silat teacher - who also doesn't have a belt or a rank - was a young teen he wanted to learn from someone other than his grandmother. And his uncle lived a long way away, so he couldn't train with him as often as he would have liked. He started looking for a guru. Whenever he came home and started talking about some new teacher his grandmother had one question. "Stevie, can he fight?" If the answer wasn't an emphatic "Yes!" she would say something like "No good. Find someone else." Once he found someone who could pug it was time for other questions. It may not be the only measure of someone's skill as a martial artist. But it's a damned important one. Comments about how thus-and-such is "just fighting, not real martial arts" will earn you a less polite rant.

Martial arts don't have an inherent purpose. They are tools or more properly technologies that can serve many different ends. Because most grown ups understand this it is considered polite not to project one's own desires and goals on those who may not share them. Being able to fight is a perfectly understandable and legitimate goal. I've been taking African and Middle Eastern drumming for a few years not because I want to be in a band but because it's important for my martial arts development and a part of certain religious practices in which I participate. Other people take it up for other reasons. Since I am not them I do not presume to tell them why their goals are wrong and they should be just like me.

Now as to the importance of tradition and etiquette, that could be another whole megillah. I'll keep it shorter and over simplify. Keep in mind that I study a traditional martial art from a teacher who is pretty Old School. So...

Why should anyone care?

Tradition and manners can serve several ends. We will consider only a few: cultural conservation, role-playing, the maintenance of a harmonious social order and the avoidance of needless conflict or easy access to useful mental states.

One reason to engage in traditional practices is a desire to preserve something valuable which might otherwise be lost. If that's what you want to do, great. Practice away. Find a bunch of like-minded people and keep the flame alive. It's your thing, not mine, so don't expect me to participate.

Another reason is a desire to copy people whom one respects. Often this ties in with a usually unstated belief that that past time was better. In other words, a less-elaborate version of the SCA or Star Trek fandom combined with theater. Again, be like your heroes. Hang out with people who admire the same people whom you do. Admire in each other the ideals which you love. Don't expect everyone else to play by the script.

We are social animals. As practicing martial artists we are, at least in theory, capable of being dangerous. Formal etiquette gives us ways of working with one another without getting into a lot of fights. We tone down the aggression signals. We have formalized dominance and submission behaviors. We back down without being submissive, maintain a respectful distance and engage in ritualized displays so that we can get things done without constant jockeying for position or causing offense inadvertently. One definition of a gentleman is someone who never hurts another unintentionally. To the extent to which tradition and etiquette serve these ends they are useful. If they do not, they are ritualized behavior divorced from reality. In other words a possibly comforting neurosis.

Habitual and ritualized behavior can be associated with particular mental states. You ingrain the ritual so that your mind will react quickly to the stimulus and evoke the desired mental and emotional response. The rituals can be completely individual or rigidly institutionalized. It's all a matter of conditioning. When one loses sight of the goal and engages in the practice for the sake of going through the ritual there is a serious disconnect.

6th Dan Seijitsu Shin Do - Karate Do
Ranking from the Zen Sekai Bujitsu Kyokai (Kyoshi Frank Williams) and the Okinawa Kensei Do Ko Kai (Hanshi Seifuku Nitta)

Forgive my ignorance, but how does that work exactly? Is there an associated Kup level (3rd, perhaps?) with 2nd degree blue?

Oops, sorry! I'm currently a 7th Kup, but, hopefully, I'll be a 6th Kup by the end of the month.

It is part of traditional Tae Kwon Do etiquette. Our GM is a senior Instructor within the Kukkiwon, and he mentioned that in his discussions with us. I don't know how it is within other systems, but traditional TKD practices that point-it is impolite to ask someone what rank they hold.
Again, if a color belt asks me, I can forgive a breach of etiquette. If a black belt asks me, it means they have not learned good manners.

Hmm... I've been in TKD for 20 years (Ch'ang H'on - so not the Kukkiwon; we were with the ITF originally) and I have never heard such a rule. Now, it's possible that this is a Kukkiwon/WTF concept that Ch'ang H'on/ITF does not include; it is also possible that it is something peculiar to your own organization. I would invite anyone who is a member of the Kukkiwon to comment on this issue, as I find it interesting, if somewhat inexplicable. Certainly, if I were in your presence, I could check your belt (assuming you're wearing it when we meet), but when I started TKD in 1987, no one in the association I belonged to wore embroidered belts; they wore belts with stripes made of cloth sewn on them. Therefore, if you encountered someone you didn't know and were trying to determine rank - to decide who lined up where, for example - you would not only compare ranks by asking, but also compare certificate numbers, as people holding lower numbers either tested sooner, or tested on the same day and were older, and thus senior.

In addition, you know no one on this board, and you don't know that all organizations use the same rules (indeed, I have never heard of that particular rule); unless you have taken the time to delve into their profiles, you have no idea what rank(s) people hold in which art(s) - so even if what you say is true, that your organization considers it rude to ask another's rank, how do you know that the person you are berating for what you perceive as discourtesy even follows the same rules as yourself? And if their rules are different, then who is rude - the person who follows their own rules and lets others do the same, or the person who insists on judging all other people by the rules of the organization to which they belong?

Oh... and I'm a IV Dan.

I hold several dan rankings in several different systems since 1971. I also train in and teach a few systems that don't use any belt systems. BTW, I am not offended by people being curious or wanting to share, that's what I am here for (despite being a TKD 6th dan. LOL).

No belt...Master Instructor in Police Defensive Tactics..
That's a black belt! Or at least, I know my duty belt is black... Even our sheriff's deputies here have moved away from brown...

I'm a purple belt in TKD. But, hopefully, by the end of this month, I might become a 2nd degree blue belt.

You can do it! :-partyon: Keep us posted!

How about suspenders? Would a nice pair of black suspenders be acceptable?

:)

Hey, for the record, I don't care if you use a drawstring (hear red's the new black, tho, if you're into status), suspenders, or a pickle barrel. Just keep the stuff covered that no one wants to see, 'K?

Hey, for the record, I don't care if you use a drawstring (hear red's the new black, tho, if you're into status), suspenders, or a pickle barrel. Just keep the stuff covered that no one wants to see, 'K?

Ya know, I've got a funny story about that...

:uhyeah:

:barf:

Ya know, I've got a funny story about that...

:uhyeah:
Which part? The pickle barrel? :)

Which part? The pickle barrel? :)

"But why not Tuesday?"

"Because that's your day in the barrel."

Extra points to anyone who knows the joke that goes with that punchline. But don't tell it here...

Thank you. Point being, it is impolite to ask someone their rank. Their manners and way of talking and conducting themselves will speak for them. It is acceptable to ask someone how long they've practiced, and draw inferences from that. Now, if they tell you what rank they are, that's their perogative. I prefer to let people guess personally.:uhyeah:
If someone is a color belt and asks, I chalk it up to inexperience.

I thought that since this is a martial arts forum that it was acceptable to share one's rank if asked, that's all.

However, outside of this, I certainly don't go around telling people what my current rank or experience is, let alone that I'm a martial artist at all. The only people that know that I practice the MAs are my immediate family or my few closest friends. Outside of the dojang, MartialTalk is pretty much the only other place that I talk or type about the MAs.

I didn't think it would be rude to ask. I was just curious.

Right NirVana, I agree. I like to know what other martial artists here study and what their experience is in their respective arts too.

1st Dan Black in Tae Kwon Do and a white belt in numerous styles (always wanting to learn more).

1st Dan in Nihon Goshin Aikido

That's a black belt! Or at least, I know my duty belt is black... Even our sheriff's deputies here have moved away from brown...

LOL..I didn't think about it that way..I NEVER like the brown rigs...We almost had to sedate a visiting Master at one seminar who find out that I didn't hold a Dan ranking yet made some of his students look like white belts..When someone explained to him that I'd in and around MA since the Early 80's he felt a little beter..

We almost had to sedate a visiting Master at one seminar who find out that I didn't hold a Dan ranking yet made some of his students look like white belts..

Drac, don't know you personally but have read enough of your stuff to know you're the real deal. When the stuff goes down, the pretty belts are useless (and probably at home, anyway!) :highfive: My four martial mentors growing up never even strapped on a white belt, but most men went around them on the street--and those few who didn't paid the price.

When someone explained to him that I'd in and around MA since the Early 80's he felt a little beter.. Good. Wouldn't want his world rocked. ;)

Hey! The belts are very useful in a fight. Take a garrison belt, replace the buckle with a 3/8" thick piece of brass with a peg through it. Wrap it around your fist until about a foot (with the buckle) is sticking out. That will bring the ones that don't usually come. Or there's the one I'm working on. Braided leather with wire woven into the braid. Hook and knob instead of a buckle. I guarantee that when the bugs are worked out it will be great when the fewmets hit the windmill. And they'll look pretty, too :D

My mistake. double post.

What belt are you, and what do you practice? I just became a blue-green belt, and I study Shaolin Kenpo.

I am a 15th dan midnight clear 100% cotton belt in Supreme Ha Soke Ryu Do...well not really I am an Eedan in the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan, I have been in the arts for 14 years...
--Josh

White belt, soon to be Purple (I hope); Universal Kempo Karate

White belt, soon to be Purple (I hope); Universal Kempo Karate

Way cool! Seniors are fun to talk to - but juniors are the future!

I thought that since this is a martial arts forum that it was acceptable to share one's rank if asked, that's all.

However, outside of this, I certainly don't go around telling people what my current rank or experience is, let alone that I'm a martial artist at all. The only people that know that I practice the MAs are my immediate family or my few closest friends. Outside of the dojang, MartialTalk is pretty much the only other place that I talk or type about the MAs.


This is basically where I stand on this subject. I started TKD in the early '80s. bounced around the world a little. on the way I've taken some Aikido, three different styles of TKD, Karate, and wrestling. TKD is my favorite. Right now I'm a brown belt. I'm learning Palgue 7 now. (WTF) I started out in an ITF school got up to 2nd grade. (Red belt). I was in a school that taught Teaguk forms but I have since forgot them. I've been around TKD for 25 years and I still don't have a Black Belt. (yes I know it's pothetic) I've sparred many black belts that have kicked my butt, and I've kicked some BB's butt too. rank isn't a concern to me. I still wear my oricinal white belt when I work out on my own. It's pretty dirty. Someday that belt will be black. When I'm asked about my belt I simply tell them I got a little dirt on my white belt.

Acck!
Double post!
Sorry!

Kendo Mudansha.
Which equates to: El Ranko De Zilcho. :D
Have been studying for a year and a half roughly.
I should have my first Kyu test in October.
At our Dojo, we test once per year, and the ranks go like this:

From:http://www.ubckendo.com/ranking.html


Ranking
The ranking of kendo is divided into kyu and dan. The beginners start at 10th kyu and rise in rank to 1st kyu. The dan starts with shodan and goes to 10th dan. Originally, dan ended at 5th dan, and continued as renshi, kyoshi and hanshi but, in 1957, it was modified to extend to 10th dan although the honorary titles were also retained. This move was due to the demand to make the ranking system of kendo correspond to that of judo. However, the duality of honarary titles and the revised ranking system created problems. The hanshi was the highest one could achieve in personal character, leadership, and kendo skills. Some feels that it is inconsistent to have 8th dan hanshi, and still have higher ranks of 9th dan and 10th dan. In fact, no 10th dan has been awards in the past 30 years, and it does not appear that a candidate will likely appear in the near future.
There is a waiting period for the dan award. It is one year between the 1st and 2nd, and 2nd and 3rd dan. Two years are required between 3rd an 4th dan. It is three years between 4th and 5th dan. Four years are needed between 5th and 6th dan. Five years must pass between 6th and 7th dan and 10 years are spent between 7th and 8th dan. The honorary titles are given to the specially qualified candidates in the following categories. The renshi title can be given to the 5th dan holders who are older than 40 years old or 6th dan holders. The kyoshi title is iven to the 7th dan holders. The hanshi title may be given to 7th dan holders who are over 70 years old and who have been kyoshi for 20 years or 8th dan who have been kyoshi for 20 years and receive the unaimous consent of the board.

I don't get offended if someone asks my rank, never have (although sometimes I'm sheepish because I'm a slow-poke hehe). I never had an embroidered belt until 3rd degree when my instructor bought one and made me wear it ;p.
4th now. 22 years of TKD, 16 or so in LM Escrima, a year of Tai Chi, and a ton of fun in Wing Chun. Oh, and I like guns ;p. (hey, they're martial ;p).

Welcome TNV, and don't feel bad about asking ranks, I wouldn't sweat it one bit. Although I tend to not ask high ranks the question, I don't see it on the level of asking someone how much they make or anything that would be considered incorrect. It all depends on the way it's put forth I suppose.

What belt are you, and what do you practice? I just became a blue-green belt, and I study Shaolin Kenpo.

I'm a 9th kyu yellow belt in Shorin ryu karate.

I never met anyone that was offended by asking their rank. I asked my jujitsu instructor what his rank was and he was happy to tell me (5th dan), PLUS his history in small circle jujitsu! Mind you, it took a while LOL.

I am a 1st gup TKD (WTF). White belt jujitsu. I also made it to 4th gup in TSD at one time.

I don't usually tell people my rank unless they ask me first. Now, I do hold a 2nd degree BB in Teoul Moon Kung Fu...since you asked :)

I usually tell those that ask that I'm a 10th degree White Belt..

I am a person not a belt.
Belts are used for quality control, they represent the students level of ability.
Titles represent a standardized level of teaching skills and / or indicate a leadership position within any given Ryu or system.
:ultracool

For the record, I don't get offended if someone asks my rank (just tested 5th Dan BTW). However, in many traditional Tae Kwon Do circles, it is still considered a breach of etiquette to do so. It's also not the end of the world.

That's a black belt! Or at least, I know my duty belt is black... Even our sheriff's deputies here have moved away from brown...

Hmm, I'm going backwards. My belt is old enough that it's more brown than black...

How about suspenders? Would a nice pair of black suspenders be acceptable? :)

If they're silk with a nice pattern, then yes.

(just tested 5th Dan BTW).

Congratulations on your achievement, TrTKD! http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

I don't usually tell people my rank unless they ask me first. Now, I do hold a 2nd degree BB in Teoul Moon Kung Fu...since you asked :)

Yup, it's not as if it's a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in place here. IMHO, if pressed, you can share your info if you want. I guess each school, dojang, dojo, training academy, etc., has their own protocol on this issue. In my own experience, I'm a Taekwondo practitioner, where I've trained, I've never known it to be a crime to let someone know your rank if they ask. And I don't know that it's disrespectful or discourteous if someone unfamiliar with the MAs asks a martial artist his or her rank and experience. Boasting about it, well that a whole different animal there...

And I don't know that it's disrespectful or discourteous if someone unfamiliar with the MAs asks a martial artist his or her rank and experience. Boasting about it, well that a whole different animal there...

So I shouldn't go around with the sign strapped to my back that says:

"Looky here at the Lord High Master of Trad Fu! 14th Degree blacker than black belt" ?

guess I better take it off then... wouldn't want to be rude

At this particular moment I'm not wearing a belt but when I do it is mainly a brown color or a blact and I even have a white one left ove r from the seventies, I'm sorry you mant withen MA just a BB

I usually tell those that ask that I'm a 10th degree White Belt..

So you must be pretty thin to have room for all those stripes, huh? Cause if you're like me, you've added a few belt sizes since first getting that white. :D I was a 5 then, an 8 now. But with abs of steel--under many soft layers. :lol:

So I shouldn't go around with the sign strapped to my back that says:

"Looky here at the Lord High Master of Trad Fu! 14th Degree blacker than black belt" ?

guess I better take it off then... wouldn't want to be rude

Is that what you've been doing Bra... goin' around intimidating your neighbors, Lol??? All I do is keep it on the down low... :asian:

Is that what you've been doing Bra... goin' around intimidating your neighbors, Lol??? All I do is keep it on the down low... :asian:

Usually I just wear it to work... ;)

So you must be pretty thin to have room for all those stripes, huh? Cause if you're like me, you've added a few belt sizes since first getting that white. :D I was a 5 then, an 8 now. But with abs of steel--under many soft layers. :lol:

My six pack abs have been replaced my a keg..I have a really long belt, drag the floor when I walk..Gotta be real careful so I don't trip when entering a training area and blow my accomplished/tough guy MA image..LOL...LOL..

Way cool! Seniors are fun to talk to - but juniors are the future!

Wise words, indeed.

It's nice to have all sorts of advanced ranking people in a dojo, and the more you can get to the advanced ranks the better.

However, when it comes down to it, the number of white belts in your class are what's going to determine how much of a future that you're able to generate. After all, these are new folks, and are hopefully there to stay.

Everyone will quit sooner or later. These white belts are the new blood that helps keep a system fresh.

If it's of any matter, I will quit too, once I'm 6 feet under, but I'll worry about that when I get there. :)

Why not?

I have, at various stages, used quotes from John Wayne, Christopher Walken, MC Hammer, Clint Eastwood, Muhammed Ali, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Are you making an assumption about me, or about Bruce Lee? Either way, you know what they say about assumptions.

Perhaps you could instead explain to me why I should be offended when someone asks me my rank?

I would love to hear some Christopher Walken quotes woven into martial art philosophy...that would be sweet!

I still wear my oricinal white belt when I work out on my own.

That's interesting, you wear a belt when training on your own? Does anyone else do this?

Please don't mistake this observation as judgement, I have just never considered wearing my belt when training on my own. IMO, the belt is there to signal rank in class...if I am by myself, what's the point? Just looking for another point of view.

I too have never heard that it is impolite to ask about rank. Most people are proud of their rank, so why should it be impolite? As a comparison to questions about one's salary, I think we don't want to reveal how much we actually make. In our culture, we want our image to be that of wealth, which explains the amount of debt in this country.

I have been training in MA for many years and have yet to attain the coveted black belt...as it were the end to all of my training. Over the years, my understanding has evolved and my focus has changed concerning this prize. I no longer daydream about standing tall in class, with my blackbelt around my waist commanding the respect of my junior classmates. I realize now the futility of this illusion.

As it stands, as I write, I am a 3rd kup in Hapkido and 3rd kyu in Aikijujutsu (although no longer training here) and I am probably at shodan level in MJER Iaido, but I have never tested. I have trained in wrestling and some submission grappling which have no formal ranks (other than varsity for wrestling) and I also have many years of real fighting experience due to growing up in a disfunctional family and tough inner city neighborhoods. So in my opinion, the color of the belt around my waist and yours, does not fully represent the skill level of the fighter. It does not reflect on your abilities, so this should not impact any insecurities. It only reflects the level you have attained in your respective art/organization.

Since I'm here, I am always irritated by those who when asked if they participate in MA, answers with "Yeah, I was the state karate champ." And this should impress, me how? The logical progression should be: "Yes, I train in _____ style." "Did you compete?" And then the rest is appropriate.

I don't think so. To be on the safe side, I would go out and get something shiny and ostentatious. :lol:

I keep seeing camoflage belts in the catalogs when I look for sparring gear for my daughters, and those always make me laugh. "I'm a 1st degree camoflage, thanks" :lol:

(of course, if your style actually requires a camoflage belt, then excuse my ignorance)

When I trained in aikijujutsu, our GM wanted to change the style to American Combat Aiki Jutsu. He wanted us to wear camoflage uniforms with camoflage belts with the color ranks taped to the end of it. He even had the different color electrical tape on hand. I am sooooo glad that never happened.

That's interesting, you wear a belt when training on your own? Does anyone else do this?

Please don't mistake this observation as judgement, I have just never considered wearing my belt when training on my own. IMO, the belt is there to signal rank in class...if I am by myself, what's the point? Just looking for another point of view.

Yeah, outside of the dojang I just wear shorts or warmups when I train on my own. Never thought to wear the belt, why should I?

I agree, belts and uniforms should be used in class or official functions only. Practicing by yourself, workout clothes will suffice. I wear shorts and a t when practicing, because I am usually combining it with a cardio workout and weights. I don't need my belt on when doing solo practice.

What belt are you, and what do you practice? I just became a blue-green belt, and I study Shaolin Kenpo.


What Belt!?!?!?

I train CMA we don't have belts...or uniforms for that matter.

What Belt!?!?!?

I train CMA we don't have belts...or uniforms for that matter.

So, what....You train in the altogether? I'm getting a very scary picture, here. :lfao:

So, what....You train in the altogether? I'm getting a very scary picture, here. :lfao:


Shocking isn't it :eek:

That's interesting, you wear a belt when training on your own? Does anyone else do this?

Please don't mistake this observation as judgement, I have just never considered wearing my belt when training on my own. IMO, the belt is there to signal rank in class...if I am by myself, what's the point? Just looking for another point of view.

Yes. No offence taken. It is kind of corny but; I've been to so many different TKD schools and to a few other MA schools. It's hard to tell what rank I really am. I've achieved different ranks in each school. Red, Blue, Brown, White. I've sparred with different BBs. Some I found surprisingly slow and clumsey. Others have been wicked good. I've helped BB remember moves of forms while they are instructing. I'm not officially a BB though. So I've held on to my original White belt and I wear it outside of class while I train. All a BB is is a dirty White belt. Just my little way of tracking my progress privately. It might sound corny but I know my BB wont be well payed for.

Most WMA don't use belts, but I have Scholar status in German Longsword and Italian Rapier. That means Intermediate, I guess. :)

-Mark

I have been known to wear a belt when I train on my own on occasion. I've done it when I've gotten a new belt & want to "break it in" a bit. I also have worn a full uniform while practicing forms in front of a mirror before my test. It helped with visualizing my best techniques.

I don't do it while practicing in a park or open area.