Tellner, I can't rep you at the moment, but I almost 100% agree with you. And in this context, I definitely agree.
I have a major problem with a martial arts instructor in the US who expects students to bow and scrape anywhere outside the training hall. (If you choose to train where that's expected inside the training hall -- that's your choice.) I'm not countenancing being rude or disrespectful... but I'm not going to bow, salute, and address a guy in the street in clipped, mispronounced (and often misused) Japanese, either.
The term "sensei" simply means "one who went before" or someone who's been there and can guide you. It's not a magical term, it's not even a title like reverend that reflects an entire lifestyle. An English teacher can be called sensei (and generally is)! And most Japanese, as I understand things would consider you a bit full of yourself if you called yourself "Me sensei." (We'll ignore the fact that it shouldn't be Sensei Me in proper construction...)
Getting a black belt/sash or equivalent doesn't endow wisdom or maturity on you. It reflects the attainment of a certain level of skill, and completion of the requisite tasks in the eyes of the organization or person that granted it. Jerks and *******s can get black belts... and remain jerks and *******s. Outright criminals can get black belts... Hell, even lawyers can get black belts!
The belt doesn't change who you are. And the folks described in the original post on this thread? They apparently were immature jerks before they got a black belt.
I have a major problem with a martial arts instructor in the US who expects students to bow and scrape anywhere outside the training hall. (If you choose to train where that's expected inside the training hall -- that's your choice.) I'm not countenancing being rude or disrespectful... but I'm not going to bow, salute, and address a guy in the street in clipped, mispronounced (and often misused) Japanese, either.
The term "sensei" simply means "one who went before" or someone who's been there and can guide you. It's not a magical term, it's not even a title like reverend that reflects an entire lifestyle. An English teacher can be called sensei (and generally is)! And most Japanese, as I understand things would consider you a bit full of yourself if you called yourself "Me sensei." (We'll ignore the fact that it shouldn't be Sensei Me in proper construction...)
Getting a black belt/sash or equivalent doesn't endow wisdom or maturity on you. It reflects the attainment of a certain level of skill, and completion of the requisite tasks in the eyes of the organization or person that granted it. Jerks and *******s can get black belts... and remain jerks and *******s. Outright criminals can get black belts... Hell, even lawyers can get black belts!
The belt doesn't change who you are. And the folks described in the original post on this thread? They apparently were immature jerks before they got a black belt.
