I feel you are Way over-thinking this.Could all these varying attitudes be down to the what the individual thinks is polite/acceptable behaviour? If youâve been brought up to be very polite, especially toward those viewed as having a higher social position, be that through education, occupation or age, then perhaps youâll be more likely to ask âpermissionâ to train elsewhere. If, subjectively, youâre a bit more brusque, a âyouâre not the boss of meâ -type and have a more transactional relationship with your martial arts teacher, maybe youâll find itâs perfectly acceptable to do as you please.
The more urbane type of person might view the transactional type of behaviour with internalised horror. The âyouâre not the boss of meâ-type will view the deferential behaviour of the urbane with incredulity. The world is made up of all sorts of people and we tend to surround ourselves with âbirds of a featherâ. Sometimes we need to look outside our bubble and try and understand, hard as that can be.
I believe it is more likely that most people see everyone else as equals. No pomp and circumstance. As a matter of respect and simply of fact, there area certainly times it is appropriate to inform someone else what you plan to do.
There are countless examples and reasons for this (too many to list), but telling your instructor you are going to also practice another style is a good one. How the instructor reacts if 100% on them. A good instructor will understand, encourage, and expect you to bring some new learning back to his school.
It is easy to imagine how a self-conscious, neurotic instructor might act.
It is an informational transaction. Plain and simple.