M.C. Busman said:Introducing oneself as "soke", "master", or "grandmaster"...does the President introduce himself as "President__________"?
There is such an extreme emphasis on ranks and titles. I'd venture to guess that in the USA alone we could fill at least one football stadium with men who call themselves "grandmaster". They would probably have a blast schmoozing
Martial arts "grandmasters" are as common as little league coaches and girl scout leaders--maybe more so. The term really means nothing other than the holder of the title is into marketing. All of the fancy ceritificates from like-minded cronies, all the pretty multi-colored belts with stripes and delicately embroidered kanji to show that this bird is one rare pigeon...does it make a punch more than a punch?
Should we bow lower, or wait and watch?
Happiness,
M.C. Busman
M.C. Busman said:Introducing oneself as "soke", "master", or "grandmaster"...does the President introduce himself as "President__________"?
There is such an extreme emphasis on ranks and titles. I'd venture to guess that in the USA alone we could fill at least one football stadium with men who call themselves "grandmaster". They would probably have a blast schmoozing
Martial arts "grandmasters" are as common as little league coaches and girl scout leaders--maybe more so. The term really means nothing other than the holder of the title is into marketing. All of the fancy ceritificates from like-minded cronies, all the pretty multi-colored belts with stripes and delicately embroidered kanji to show that this bird is one rare pigeon...does it make a punch more than a punch?
Should we bow lower, or wait and watch?
Happiness,
M.C. Busman
Correct. Any contradiction between the Infinite Insights and the Ecyclopedia is resolved as Mr. Lear says. Mr. Parker wrote and supervised the completeion of Infinite Insights in the late seventies and early eighties. The Encyclopedia was published from a series of notes in his office after he passed away, for those who feel that may make a difference.Billy Lear said:
Well, we don't live in a feudal society in the USA. We live in a democracy where all are citizens etc. and titles are used in a limited way. It has nothing to do with respect as such, but rather with the idea that we are all merely citizens. We are not "subjects" like in a monarchy and there is not the social class system that is supposed to go along with such a society. That there is a context to when and how titles are used here does not imply a disrespect for the instructor to me. It says that there is a time and place for them, and they should definitely be used in those places and at such times. In certain countries there are different classes of citizens, but not here. At least not in theory. Therefore, these things need to be kept in their proper perspective. To me it is not a matter of becoming discourteous or unkind when one leaves the dojo. It is a matter of the American spirit and values setting a limit on when and where titles are to be used. In a society of rigid class structure an Earl is ALWAYS an Earl to those in the lower classes etc. Americans have always had an uneasy time with titles. They recognize the need for them to an extent, but they hate the implication that goes along with them. No one here wants to accept the idea of being a second-class citizen and so we limit the use of our titles to the context of where they directly apply. If it is a martial arts setting, forum, or when referring to some one in the context of the martial arts, using their title to refer to them or address them is proper. Outside of that, perhaps not. My rule of thumb is that I call someone by their title when I am at the dojo. However, if they have a real issue with dropping it at other times, then I'll continue it outside also. That will tend to limit my outside interaction with them, however as I would tend to feel a barrier to the friendship if they insisted on keeping the class distinction there at all times.The Kai said:
(1) Just for clarification - a red belt in TKD is below black belt.
