"I'm better than you are!"

[Kennedy_Shogen_Ryu]

A little back story before I start my post: I started a new job a couple months ago and got talking to the manager and we discussed my martial arts background. He and a couple employees started doing some training with me in our free time, though I always kept it as quiet as possible so as not to cause conflicts etc.

The other day at work one of my co-workers comes up to me and asks "so you teach Kung Fu?" I reply "no I teach Karate not Kung Fu" He replies "all that crap is all the same" I simply reply with "Ah" and walk away. A few minutes later he approaches me again and says "I should come and teach your classes for you, I'm a lot better than you are at fighting" I just kind of smile and nod and go about my business once again. He continues "I took Karate when I was a kid but after like six months I got my black belt and my teacher told me I was so good I shouldn't be training anymore" I kind of chuckled to myself. He now comes up to me at least once a day and tries to either challenge or debunk martial arts etc etc.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this before?

[theletch1]

No, thankfully. I will say this though, you did exactly what you should have. You've shown true martial spirit by not being sucked into his game.

[ChingChuan]

I don't have any experience with this kind of situations, but I do have experience with this kind of people ;). A 'friend' of mine tends to say/think/lie that she can always do things better - she's a pathological liar (is that a word in English?), so she'd probably do the same if I brought up the subject of martial arts. I found that it's best to ignore it (if it's possible) or just go along with the things the person is saying - either he can't do anything about it (if he's a pathological liar) or it's just an annoying person - as long as you don't let it aggravate you. Sometimes it helps to ask questions about the subject the person is lying about (I'm sure you can ask some specific questions like 'What style do you do' etc) but usually they'll ignore being exposed, so in the end, it's best to leave them be ;).

[bigfootsquatch]

A little back story before I start my post: I started a new job a couple months ago and got talking to the manager and we discussed my martial arts background. He and a couple employees started doing some training with me in our free time, though I always kept it as quiet as possible so as not to cause conflicts etc.

The other day at work one of my co-workers comes up to me and asks "so you teach Kung Fu?" I reply "no I teach Karate not Kung Fu" He replies "all that crap is all the same" I simply reply with "Ah" and walk away. A few minutes later he approaches me again and says "I should come and teach your classes for you, I'm a lot better than you are at fighting" I just kind of smile and nod and go about my business once again. He continues "I took Karate when I was a kid but after like six months I got my black belt and my teacher told me I was so good I shouldn't be training anymore" I kind of chuckled to myself. He now comes up to me at least once a day and tries to either challenge or debunk martial arts etc etc.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this before?

I've been in quite a few similiar situations; the best thing to do is tell him to come on and work out with you and when he declines, tell him to stop talking about it then....or just tell him that you don't appreciate the insults and the workplace is an appropriate place to be making challenges...especially ones he can't back up.
http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Kacey]

Yes... but I just let it run off like water off a duck's back. Trying to prove to such people that they are wrong takes way too much time and energy; I just shrug and tell them that they are welcome to their own opinion, and welcome to a free session at my class. No one has ever done it yet. :idunno:

I used to try to have this discussion with people, to give them the truth as I see it - but it always ends in a "what if" discussion that leads to 6 (or more) big men with guns and knives coming from all directions... I have better things to do that play that game.

[tellner]

I've done it a couple ways depending on the situation.

Usually I just say "Yep, you probably could."

When they start going "What if" I usually say "There's a lot of things I might do, but I don't know what would happen. The only way we'll find out is do it and see."

[seasoned]

As was stated, it is time to invite him to one of your workouts. Chances are he won't last an hour workout. Some people just have a show me mind set and need a little help understanding. You could either gain another student or you may have to let him take over your class. This type of situation happens all the time and I am sure some on this board could share some stories. You don't have to hurt someone to convince them, it's all in the way you approch it.

[AceHBK]

Every village has its idiot and it is ashame that you have to work with yours.

[BrandiJo]

I have never had it happen to me, but i would go along the lines of come train (kinda prove it) or go away.

[stone_dragone]

In the event of an "anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better" type challenge, you could respond in a similarly childish manner "...cannot, cannot...liar, liar pants on fire..."

Or just invite them in and let them make a fool out of themselves anyway...

I see shades of Ed Gruberman again.

[Touch Of Death]

A little back story before I start my post: I started a new job a couple months ago and got talking to the manager and we discussed my martial arts background. He and a couple employees started doing some training with me in our free time, though I always kept it as quiet as possible so as not to cause conflicts etc.

The other day at work one of my co-workers comes up to me and asks "so you teach Kung Fu?" I reply "no I teach Karate not Kung Fu" He replies "all that crap is all the same" I simply reply with "Ah" and walk away. A few minutes later he approaches me again and says "I should come and teach your classes for you, I'm a lot better than you are at fighting" I just kind of smile and nod and go about my business once again. He continues "I took Karate when I was a kid but after like six months I got my black belt and my teacher told me I was so good I shouldn't be training anymore" I kind of chuckled to myself. He now comes up to me at least once a day and tries to either challenge or debunk martial arts etc etc.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this before?Yes, and I always end up hurting them, but they end up being your best friend in the whole world afterward in some cases.
Sean

[Andy Moynihan]

Okay, I'm sorry to be the downer, Kennedy, but:


A little back story before I start my post: I started a new job a couple months ago and got talking to the manager and we discussed my martial arts background.


You made your mistake right there. That knowledge is not for "civilians".

[MantisStyle21]

Sadly, I have some close friends that just love to irritate me about martial arts. One friend in particular, she constantly says it's a waste of time, that UFC fighters would destroy a martial artist and all kinds of stuff.

I just let her go on and on, it really doesn't bother me, especially the UFC comment, I just chuckle and think to myself "UFC fighters are Martial Artists too"

[jonbey]

You did the right thing in walking away. And I would not invite him to the classes, as he will probably just disrupt them and leave a bad atmosphere.

The thing to remember, is that, as well as some people being complete nobs, some are also naturally good fighters. But saying that, the karate story seems to indicate that he does not have natural ability.

When at Uni I met a guy who constantly boasted about his amazing karate ability, told stories about how he would go out with his instructor in the evening and split open bins with a kick, and how the bathrobe he had was given to him by the master of his style, because he was so good. All complete nonsense ofcourse, but just humour him and he will hopefully eventually pass out of your life, or get bored of telling the same silly stories, and pester the cleaner ("I can sweep better than you!") etc etc.

[terryl965]

All I can say is this when people find out they try to be something they themself cannot a dedicated MA'er. We all know them and I personaly feel sorry for them. It is better to say nothing and think to yourself what a jackass.

[thardey]

To be a little pragmatical, and a bit of a cheat, I would pump him for information.

"Really, six months? -- What's your favorite attack? Why do you think that works? Would you rather block, or parry? Hands or feet?" Etc, etc. (The hard part is not snickering, here).

What you'll end up with is this guys game plan, in case he ever does decide to "test" you, you'll know what to expect, and exactly what he doesn't know.

On the other hand, maybe he'll let his guard down, and once he realizes how he's "taught" you, he'll be over his need to prove himself, and he may be open to learning from you someday.

:)

Did that to one of my Sister's ex-boyfriends, a "10th degree". When I "learned" from him, and had a good discussion about fighting, he was convinced that I was almost as good of a fighter as he was!

[Big Don]

A guy I used to work with thought he was big and bad, he had competed in tournaments and had big trophies, etc.
The day he came to pick up his last check, after being fired for basically being an AH, there was no one around. So, he and I did a little light sparring... He couldn't block, his punches were akward and slow. His kicks looked really pretty but, had no power. I did block. My punches were straight and fast. My kicks may not have been as pretty, but they probably hurt more.
That is the closest I've come to actually being in a fight, outside the dojo.
Some people have to be beaten to learn...

[tellner]

I wouldn't even have done that. You don't have anything to prove. You could have put your job in jeopardy. And now he knows how well you can fight. Best to keep that information confidential until it's time for him to underestimate you. Surprise is a weapon you get to use once.

[Rich Parsons]

A little back story before I start my post: I started a new job a couple months ago and got talking to the manager and we discussed my martial arts background. He and a couple employees started doing some training with me in our free time, though I always kept it as quiet as possible so as not to cause conflicts etc.

The other day at work one of my co-workers comes up to me and asks "so you teach Kung Fu?" I reply "no I teach Karate not Kung Fu" He replies "all that crap is all the same" I simply reply with "Ah" and walk away. A few minutes later he approaches me again and says "I should come and teach your classes for you, I'm a lot better than you are at fighting" I just kind of smile and nod and go about my business once again. He continues "I took Karate when I was a kid but after like six months I got my black belt and my teacher told me I was so good I shouldn't be training anymore" I kind of chuckled to myself. He now comes up to me at least once a day and tries to either challenge or debunk martial arts etc etc.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this before?


Happens all the time to me (* Over time *) and to my friends as well.

Most time just smiling and ignoring them and they get tired and go away.

Other times they end up doing something to try to force you to react. Ether you or they get hurt.

At the Bar it happens as well, as someone will say How do you know him? And they will say through martial arts. Then they will ask if you are tough or not. I smile and point to the smallest women in the place and say she can kick my butt. This usualy brings out the stories of how the guy in question has beaten up every martial artist he has come across. I smile and say yeah it can happen to anyone of any system.

Now those that do try, to hit me, I defend myself. Usually with just a pass. I say it is time for me to leave. I do not recommend getting involved, as one could loose their job and or deal with the police. If ti continues remind him about the Violence in the work place policies most companies have. Ask your supervisor if harassment is violence? Then remind your supervisor that it does not matter the content or the sex of the person.


What ever you do, do not do the following: When they swing, pass and trap and climb up their arm until you have a choke around their neck and also for the mental efect, cover their mouth and nose with your hand. Pinch off the nose and squeeze tight. While this is going on drag them backwards and wisper into their ears. "When you are out, I will have my way with you. Just relax, let it go, it is easier that way. Do not fight it. " Note: If at work look for a new job and lawyer. If in a bar or on the street expect the police and or bouncers to want to escort you someplace. Like I said do not try that home. :) ;)

[MJS]

A little back story before I start my post: I started a new job a couple months ago and got talking to the manager and we discussed my martial arts background. He and a couple employees started doing some training with me in our free time, though I always kept it as quiet as possible so as not to cause conflicts etc.

The other day at work one of my co-workers comes up to me and asks "so you teach Kung Fu?" I reply "no I teach Karate not Kung Fu" He replies "all that crap is all the same" I simply reply with "Ah" and walk away. A few minutes later he approaches me again and says "I should come and teach your classes for you, I'm a lot better than you are at fighting" I just kind of smile and nod and go about my business once again. He continues "I took Karate when I was a kid but after like six months I got my black belt and my teacher told me I was so good I shouldn't be training anymore" I kind of chuckled to myself. He now comes up to me at least once a day and tries to either challenge or debunk martial arts etc etc.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this before?

Yes, things similar to this have happened to me. Its one of the main reasons why I don't like to talk about my training. Like I always say...if its a sincere question, I have no problem talking about anything Martial Arts related. But when the questions and comments start getting stupid, I have zero interest in talking.

Yes, I've had the "I bet I could kick your butt" type of questions. I either ignore completely or say, "Yup, you're probably right."

As for the person you dealt with...6 mos. for a black belt eh? He's either a liar or trained at a mcdojo. In any case, just ignore the guy. He's not worth it.

[Ian Kinder]

What ever you do, do not do the following: When they swing, pass and trap and climb up their arm until you have a choke around their neck and also for the mental efect, cover their mouth and nose with your hand. Pinch off the nose and squeeze tight. While this is going on drag them backwards and wisper into their ears. "When you are out, I will have my way with you. Just relax, let it go, it is easier that way. Do not fight it. "

Hey, I thought that was just a bad dream. But now that I think about it, it was the first time that I turned my back on Rich…

(Beat you to it Paul)

[Kennedy_Shogen_Ryu]

Bit of an update:

Was at work tonight and I took some of your suggestions. I started asking him, what was the school you trained at, how was your instructor, what was your style etc etc. He told me that it had been too long ago and he couldn't remember, right there the little bell in my head went off. I asked him if it was the Tae Kwon Do system of Karate that was founded by the tall monk...ok get this his response..."yeah yeah I'm pretty sure that's the one". He then told me he had trained with one of Bruce Lee's students (Heh Bruce Lee, nice name drop) and started telling me he'd gone from school to school but always found he was too good to stay and train.

So I asked him, "I have a class tomorrow night, why not come show us all some of your stuff?" He kind of hummed and hawed but finally agreed. So I guess we'll see what happens now!

[runnerninja]

Yeah I have a few mates who are bouncers purely for the fact that they are big(where I come from a lot of bouncers are on some sort of ego trip cos of their job). They dont know anything about martial arts and are adament that knowing a martial art is a waste of time. Apparently its the strongest man that will win a fight(their measure of a man is how many times he can lift a beer keg above his head!!). Anyway, since taking up taijutsu I havnt bothered mentioning that im doing it to them purely for the fact that I would have to listen to them go on about how its a waste of time. I have only told a few other mates who dont really have an opinion either way. They think its good but have no interest in taking it up themselves. Its not that im keeping it a secret, I just dont see the point in broadcasting it because I know how people can be when they hear things like that.

[meth18au]

So I asked him, "I have a class tomorrow night, why not come show us all some of your stuff?" He kind of hummed and hawed but finally agreed. So I guess we'll see what happens now!





Oh, this is going to be interesting!!! Please do update us all next time you are online!!!

:)

[newGuy12]

Oh, this is going to be interesting!!! Please do update us all next time you are online!!!

:)

Yes, we want to hear about this man "showing off what he knows"!!!

Haha!



:jediduel:

[kosho]

I had this one thing happen at work. I was working for a car dealer ship.
everyone there new I was training in martial arts and i love it.
I had this one guy at work who was a salesman like me. well there really is no rules when selling cars and how you treat each other at this dealer ship. the total amount of cars out is what the boss cares about.

So I bring in a deal and place it on the desk. this other guy comes in and pushes mine off the desk and tells the finance person to do his over mine.
I LOL and said no I was here first so you need to wait. He then grabs my wrist and trys to put pressure on it. I then shift and put him into a lock.
He goes to the ground ( in pain ) people in the area that work there come running in. yelling break his wrist and other things. I start talking to him
as he is telling me how he is going to kick my @@@. Now he is still on the ground in pain. So I tell him Do not ever touch me again. I help him out the door as I turned the lock into a throw. I turn and close the door and get my deal done and my people out in there new car.

kosho

he and I became ok with each other after that day...

[CoryKS]

I think you have a responsibility to your manager to let him know that he may be in violation of the child labor laws.

[thardey]

I think you have a responsibility to your manager to let him know that he may be in violation of the child labor laws.

:roflmao:

[shesulsa]

Bit of an update:

Was at work tonight and I took some of your suggestions. I started asking him, what was the school you trained at, how was your instructor, what was your style etc etc. He told me that it had been too long ago and he couldn't remember, right there the little bell in my head went off. I asked him if it was the Tae Kwon Do system of Karate that was founded by the tall monk...ok get this his response..."yeah yeah I'm pretty sure that's the one". He then told me he had trained with one of Bruce Lee's students (Heh Bruce Lee, nice name drop) and started telling me he'd gone from school to school but always found he was too good to stay and train.

So I asked him, "I have a class tomorrow night, why not come show us all some of your stuff?" He kind of hummed and hawed but finally agreed. So I guess we'll see what happens now!


Now you've opened an unlabeled can of worms. What if this guy is just hell-bent on hurting you?

*shakes head*

Good luck. And ... practice your weapons defense techniques.

[shesulsa]

I think you have a responsibility to your manager to let him know that he may be in violation of the child labor laws.
:lol2:

[bigfootsquatch]

Whoever didn't like "my advice" should explain to me why they didnt rather than leaving silly rep points. That way we can talk about it and debate it out :asian:

[stone_dragone]

In the event of an "anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better" type challenge, you could respond in a similarly childish manner "...cannot, cannot...liar, liar pants on fire..."

Or just invite them in and let them make a fool out of themselves anyway...

I see shades of Ed Gruberman again.

I have received some negative rep for this comment...I'd presume from a newer member who hasn't read any of my other posts or possibly from someone who doesn't understand sarcasm.

Either way, relax and it'll be easier to reverse your rectal-cranial inversion.

Edit: I just responded and then noticed bigfoot had a similar issue...

[Kennedy_Shogen_Ryu]

The young man in question actually did show up for training (albeit he was 10 minutes late)

I asked him if he would like to come up to the front of the class and assist me. He got this kind of "not-so-sure" look on his face but nodded and came to the front. So first I asked him (and I added since he had so much experience) if he could demonstrate a good horse stance. He kind of hesitated for a second, then told me that the styles that he trained in didn't believe in stances when training.
I then asked if he'd like to demonstrate some of his punches for us. So he got into a very weak looking fighting stance and threw a couple of jabs that would make a blind boxer tear-up.
I asked him to join the rest of the class and said we would do a bit of a warm-up. Within 5 minutes he was drenched with sweat and looked like he was going to vomit.
Then it came time to spar. I told him that I would spar with him (mainly because I have the most amount of control in class and by now had figured he was a phony).
So, we started sparring, I asked him to show me some of his fighting style, I said at first I would only block and wouldn't counter. After about 5 min of him not even being able to get close to me I told him we would switch spots. I'll save you all the grizzly details but needless to say I don't think he blocked one punch or kick that came his way.
At the end of class I had everyone lined up and gave a little 'speech' if you will about how there are a lot of people in the world who like to brag about having martial prowess when 9 times out of 10 they've never even set foot in a martial arts school. One of my students asked me what I would do if such a person came up to me and challenged me. I simply replied ask the gentleman who trained with us today.
Unfortunately my challenger left before I got a chance to talk to him again, I just hope I wasn't too harsh on him.

[newGuy12]

Uh-hu. We see very clearly now that "Mr. Fancy" is nothing but talk!
If he goes about challenging people like he did you, he may not get off so easy next time!

[kidswarrior]

I've done it a couple ways depending on the situation.

Usually I just say "Yep, you probably could."

When they start going "What if" I usually say "There's a lot of things I might do, but I don't know what would happen. The only way we'll find out is do it and see."Exactly. I get this from street 'kids' all the time, and this is pretty much the template for how I handle it. So far no one has chosen to 'do it and see.' But that may just be luck. :D Whatever the reason, I have a feeling it'll keep working.

[chrismay101]

Well done! keeping your cool is what its all about.

[kidswarrior]

I think you have a responsibility to your manager to let him know that he may be in violation of the child labor laws.:lfao:

[searcher]

At the end of class I had everyone lined up and gave a little 'speech' if you will about how there are a lot of people in the world who like to brag about having martial prowess when 9 times out of 10 they've never even set foot in a martial arts school. One of my students asked me what I would do if such a person came up to me and challenged me. I simply replied ask the gentleman who trained with us today.
Unfortunately my challenger left before I got a chance to talk to him again, I just hope I wasn't too harsh on him.


This is an great way to finish up. And you were not harsh at all. We all need to remember that, not so many years ago, he would have run a high risk of beingseriously injured if he showed up after issuing a challenge.

Hats off to you for how you handled the situation.http://martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[bigfootsquatch]

The young man in question actually did show up for training (albeit he was 10 minutes late)

I asked him if he would like to come up to the front of the class and assist me. He got this kind of "not-so-sure" look on his face but nodded and came to the front. So first I asked him (and I added since he had so much experience) if he could demonstrate a good horse stance. He kind of hesitated for a second, then told me that the styles that he trained in didn't believe in stances when training.
I then asked if he'd like to demonstrate some of his punches for us. So he got into a very weak looking fighting stance and threw a couple of jabs that would make a blind boxer tear-up.
I asked him to join the rest of the class and said we would do a bit of a warm-up. Within 5 minutes he was drenched with sweat and looked like he was going to vomit.
Then it came time to spar. I told him that I would spar with him (mainly because I have the most amount of control in class and by now had figured he was a phony).
So, we started sparring, I asked him to show me some of his fighting style, I said at first I would only block and wouldn't counter. After about 5 min of him not even being able to get close to me I told him we would switch spots. I'll save you all the grizzly details but needless to say I don't think he blocked one punch or kick that came his way.
At the end of class I had everyone lined up and gave a little 'speech' if you will about how there are a lot of people in the world who like to brag about having martial prowess when 9 times out of 10 they've never even set foot in a martial arts school. One of my students asked me what I would do if such a person came up to me and challenged me. I simply replied ask the gentleman who trained with us today.
Unfortunately my challenger left before I got a chance to talk to him again, I just hope I wasn't too harsh on him.

Well I'm glad he showed up and learned his lesson. Martial Artists end up getting alot of slack when uneducated people such as himself goes around running their heads about getting a black belt in 6 months etc...

I also think you handled yourself really well. Personally, I dont think I would have said "ask the gentleman who trained with us today." I'm sure his ego was already crushed, and that added on top probably ensured that he would not come back(though I could be wrong). Now that may have been what you wanted, and I'm not saying you intended on insulting the man, even after the constant harrassment he gave you. I just think I would have asked him what he thought about class and invited him back.

Like I said though, you handled yourself great in this situation http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif just throwing in my 2 cents

[Adept]

Yeah I have a few mates who are bouncers... They dont know anything about martial arts and are adament that knowing a martial art is a waste of time.

I don't know what kind of experiences your mates have had, but don't devalue their advice. Chances are they've seen and participated in more 'street fights', probably on an honest to god street than any martial artist ever will.

Granted they're operating out of ignorance as far as the martial arts is concerned, but don't write off their opinions simply because they don't mesh with your own world view.

[Cirdan]

You handled that well Kennedy. I am suprised he showed up at all. Now we can only hope he has learned something from the experience.

[Mr. E]

Now we can only hope he has learned something from the experience.

Probably not. Little people always make excuses and resent those that poke holes in their fantasy world.

My advice is to watch your back. This guy has made a big thing about being bad and bragging about it in front of other people. If he thinks you made him look bad (instead of he himself doing it) he will be looking for a way to make himself look better and get some revenge.

It would not surprise me if he tried to ambush you as part of some "training" drill or something like that.

This guy has put a certain amount of effort into appearing to be big. He has something invested in that. Your very presence now is a threat to that image he as cultivated in all the people around him. If he lives for that image, then you are a threat to something that is the same as his very life. People have killed other people to save face.

He may be a coward and a braggert, but that does not mean that he will not do the worst thing he think he can get away with.

Guess what, now you have to watch your back on so many different levels from this guy for as long as you work and know him. Because now you are the guy that can destroy all he thinks he has worked for. I have known guys whose lineof thinking was that it was easier to kill the guy that threatend the image they tried to present to the world rather than learn and change for the better. You may be working with someone who thinks the same.

Watch your back! He has little to lose in his way of thinking.

[MJS]

Bit of an update:



I asked him if it was the Tae Kwon Do system of Karate that was founded by the tall monk...ok get this his response..."yeah yeah I'm pretty sure that's the one".

LOL!! That was classic man!!!



So I asked him, "I have a class tomorrow night, why not come show us all some of your stuff?" He kind of hummed and hawed but finally agreed. So I guess we'll see what happens now!


Another priceless moment for you I'm sure!:ultracool At this point I can only imagine the nervous reactions, little bit of sweat starting to form, etc.


The young man in question actually did show up for training (albeit he was 10 minutes late)

I asked him if he would like to come up to the front of the class and assist me. He got this kind of "not-so-sure" look on his face but nodded and came to the front. So first I asked him (and I added since he had so much experience) if he could demonstrate a good horse stance. He kind of hesitated for a second, then told me that the styles that he trained in didn't believe in stances when training.
I then asked if he'd like to demonstrate some of his punches for us. So he got into a very weak looking fighting stance and threw a couple of jabs that would make a blind boxer tear-up.
I asked him to join the rest of the class and said we would do a bit of a warm-up. Within 5 minutes he was drenched with sweat and looked like he was going to vomit.
Then it came time to spar. I told him that I would spar with him (mainly because I have the most amount of control in class and by now had figured he was a phony).
So, we started sparring, I asked him to show me some of his fighting style, I said at first I would only block and wouldn't counter. After about 5 min of him not even being able to get close to me I told him we would switch spots. I'll save you all the grizzly details but needless to say I don't think he blocked one punch or kick that came his way.
At the end of class I had everyone lined up and gave a little 'speech' if you will about how there are a lot of people in the world who like to brag about having martial prowess when 9 times out of 10 they've never even set foot in a martial arts school. One of my students asked me what I would do if such a person came up to me and challenged me. I simply replied ask the gentleman who trained with us today.
Unfortunately my challenger left before I got a chance to talk to him again, I just hope I wasn't too harsh on him.

I'm glad that things worked out for you!! :) IMHO, you certainly handled the situation in a professional way. You got your points across just enough to make this guy look like a complete fool IFO everyone in your class, but at the same time, there was that touch of being humble about it!! As for being too harsh..not at all. :)

Out of curiosity...how has he been around you at work since then?

Mike

[Kennedy_Shogen_Ryu]

Though I haven't worked with him since, I've had a couple people I work with tell me that he's going around saying that he pretty much taught the whole class, that the workout was a breeze, and he practically had me begging for mercy when we sparred. I just laughed and shrugged it off. I care not, I know what happened, my students know what happened, obviously this guy has an issue with self-esteem, I'm not going to aim to make it any worse. If telling everyone that he whupped me a good one is going to make him feel better...all's to him!

[tellner]

Mr. E. Has told the absolute unvarnished Truth. Watch your back physically and politically at work.

[stone_dragone]

It seems that coming to class only gave him more of a story for those who weren't there. I'd let him go with his story, watch your back and invite anyone else who asks about if he whooped your butt to come to class and draw their own conclusions.

[shesulsa]

Probably not. Little people always make excuses and resent those that poke holes in their fantasy world.

My advice is to watch your back. This guy has made a big thing about being bad and bragging about it in front of other people. If he thinks you made him look bad (instead of he himself doing it) he will be looking for a way to make himself look better and get some revenge.

It would not surprise me if he tried to ambush you as part of some "training" drill or something like that.

This guy has put a certain amount of effort into appearing to be big. He has something invested in that. Your very presence now is a threat to that image he as cultivated in all the people around him. If he lives for that image, then you are a threat to something that is the same as his very life. People have killed other people to save face.

He may be a coward and a braggert, but that does not mean that he will not do the worst thing he think he can get away with.

Guess what, now you have to watch your back on so many different levels from this guy for as long as you work and know him. Because now you are the guy that can destroy all he thinks he has worked for. I have known guys whose lineof thinking was that it was easier to kill the guy that threatend the image they tried to present to the world rather than learn and change for the better. You may be working with someone who thinks the same.

Watch your back! He has little to lose in his way of thinking.
I'm so glad I"m not the only one whose mind this crossed.

[Fushichou]

I've got a similar story to tell to all this. . .

When I was in college, I started training with a Kempo club, and really fit well with that school and it worked well for me. I'd trained in a smattering of various arts over the years, but it was one of the first times I'd been able to stick with a school for some time. I was really learning and improving as a martial artist.

Within my circle of friends was a guy who wasn't much of a friend of mine, but he was a friend of a lot of friends. This guy was a pathological liar and had lots of stories, but whenever I would mention in passing that I had to leave to go to the dojo, or I had a belt test coming up, or anything else about martial arts he had to brag about how great he was.

He talked about how he studied Shotokan Karate for years and how he was so great and so powerful and how Shotokan was the most "brutal" style of martial arts. I asked him what belt he'd earned, he said he didn't believe in belts and his instructor never awarded them because they are meaningless (which I can't fault an instructor like that really, but it sounded like a cover for only having a low rank or no rank).

He kept challenging me to spar and see how great he was, but I kept declining him, telling him martial arts aren't about proving who is the best. I asked him to come to my dojo, but he said he didn't like the philosophy espoused by it and that he said it was "too pacifistic" for his tastes (I'd previously idly mentioned the philosophical elements of the school's teachings in explaining why I don't duel).

Eventually, our mutual acquaintances got tired of his bragging and arranged for a bit of a chance to see if he had any skill in there or was all talk. You see, my martial arts training had included weapon training, jo, hanbo, bo, bokken ect. He claimed he was a master of all those weapons as well. Some of our friends had bought some heavily padded weapons and as a party game had arranged for a friendly padded swordfighting tournament at a Christmas party, but the brackets were rigged to make sure it would be me vs. him. I wasn't crazy about it, but to settle it I went along with this.

So, he was being all the braggart about his greatness and wanting to make a bet on how he would win the whole tournament. The rules were that the first person to three successful strikes with the padded weapons would be declared the winner.

He couldn't touch me, seeing him actually try to fight, he was stumbling around, uncoordinated, trying to compensate for lack of skill with muscle, but he had a lot more fat than muscle. I hit him twice with shots that would have been pretty much instant kills if they were real swords, he didn't touch me.

I took a moment to even say where the hole in his defense was and how he was letting his guard down, which only enraged him to run at me flailing wildly, letting me roll to the side, spring up and stab him in the back as he ran past me.

He was defeated, fair and square, in front of everybody he knew. He claimed I cheated, that I wasn't fighting fair, but the "refs" we'd decided on said it was fair, all the spectators shouted out to him it was fair, and he lost.

He stormed out, angry, and didn't come around for quite a while. He still makes up all kinds of stories about being really good at things for really dubious reasons (examples, he loves to dispense medical advice on the grounds he was a pre-med student for one year as an undergrad before dropping out and he claims he's a master thief because he says his mom was a catburglar for the mafia and taught him everything she knew). However, he keeps his mouth shut about pretending to have martial arts skills, everybody has noticed that about him.

[Eric7_27]

I can't imagine why people would want to test you. Before I took Martial Arts I think I had an over exaggerated idea of someone who took some art. Like most people you see movies with Jackie Chan and Jet Lee etc., and think anyone who's a blackbelt can beat up 10 guys at once. I don't see why someone who doesn't know much would try and provoke someone who's a big martial artist. Maybe they really doubt their abilities.

[Steel Tiger]

I can't imagine why people would want to test you. Before I took Martial Arts I think I had an over exaggerated idea of someone who took some art. Like most people you see movies with Jackie Chan and Jet Lee etc., and think anyone who's a blackbelt can beat up 10 guys at once. I don't see why someone who doesn't know much would try and provoke someone who's a big martial artist. Maybe they really doubt their abilities.

That is the essential element of this sought of thing. There is a basic lack of self belief and confidence. I think it is the same motivation that turns some people into bullies. What's more the bigger the target the better. So, from a physical point of view, a long haul martial artist is a perfect target for people like this.

It doesn't really matter what kind of expertise you have, this kind of person will be better. If you're a linguist, they know a dozen languages, if your an historian, they read more obscure books than you.

I had a friend like this (I guess most of us have) and he tended to get mocked for his ludicrous statements. Didn't stop him though. You just sort of drift away from people like that.

[MJS]

Though I haven't worked with him since, I've had a couple people I work with tell me that he's going around saying that he pretty much taught the whole class, that the workout was a breeze, and he practically had me begging for mercy when we sparred. I just laughed and shrugged it off. I care not, I know what happened, my students know what happened, obviously this guy has an issue with self-esteem, I'm not going to aim to make it any worse. If telling everyone that he whupped me a good one is going to make him feel better...all's to him!



Amazing! This guy obviously has some issues.

[Kennedy_Shogen_Ryu]

I will admit this whole incident has taught me a lesson, that maybe I knew but had forgotten about.
You can talk a good game, you can have the best training in the world. You may have the ability to take out 2,5 maybe even 10 people at once. You may look good in the eyes of everyone around you. But if you can't look inside yourself and find happiness, then really, what do you have?
Seems simple I know, but it's a great lesson in my opinion!

[IcemanSK]

Yes I've had people tell me many times how much better they are at a lot of things I've studied & they either haven't ever or haven't in a long time. It's very annoying, but that's really all it is. Some folks wanna feel superior to someone when they really are feeling insecure about themselves. "Proving yourself" to them is no better a good idea than proving to a 6 year old child that you are stronger than they are because they dared you. It makes YOU look really silly.

It sounds like you handled yourself well in the situation you described.