I recently been taking shito ryu for the last six months , it all started out with a simple " can I work out with you guys for today " sensei was like yeah sure , got dressed and joined everyone on the floor , I was wearing my black gi with my kenpo patches on it ( they all had white gi's ) , they had me up front with the other black & brown belts , when the class was finished I was invited to be part of there group , next class I wore my white gi and sensei was like " wear that one from now on when you come to class " it took a minute to adapt just because of all the Japanese words being used but ive been getting the hang of it , after doing kumite with a couple of the guys sensei went up to me and told me " I guess its true what they say : kenpo guys are dirty fighters " we both chuckled ... my belt was never an issue , and just last week I was given a shito ryu school patch and told to throw that on my gi , I was honored , WHAT YOU GUYS THINK. would you guys make me wear a white belt just like anyone else starting at a new school ?
I might have replied sarcastically with some truth, but see below for more
I'd rather be the best white belt ever than a black belt who didn't know the system.
This is very true and is a good response
In a heartbeat. I wouldn't discount previous experience but you'd start out as a "not-so-much-but-still-noob". You wouldn't be practicing kenpo so while you might pick up quick, you would also need to change things as well. So the previous black belt experience would just make it easier to transition if you were into seriously learning what's being taught as opposed to just "working out".
Another good reply
I like being underestimated.
The sneaky and good reply
***
Now my reply:
You should wear what the instructor tells you to wear.
Having a black belt in one art can get you in the "club" when you are talking with other people and and or at a seminar and such. Yet when you are at a place for training, you are in their club.
Now if they have an open lets just get together and train night and you show up then. I see issues with doing what you know from other systems.
But if you are there to learn the system you need to listen and pay attention to what is being done and said. How would you feel if a lower ranked than what you were wearing asks a question and it is a basic and you do not know it? What if you could not demonstrate it? I have seen people try really hard to not get beat by someone with a lower rank and they try anything and ignore the lesson at hand.
To be honest, no one really likes to start all over from scratch (except those who feel good being sneaky and trapping people like Arni and myself and a few others I know), and climb from the bottom. Yet, if you do start from the bottom you have the respect of the others and the instructor and most importantly, yourself.
Wear your white belt with pride when you are student learning a new system.
Wear your Black Belt with pride when you are a guest invited in to a demo or a test or just for an open discussion.
You will get a lot further in the end if you do. (* I also do think that it is an issue with you, but it could be age or it could be maturity or it could be ego, which we all have to deal with from time to time. *)
