What was Yip Man actually like as a person?

[Marnetmar]

Just out of curiosity. I can't really find much info about his personality and attitudes other than he was a bit mischievous with a sense of humor. Anyone have any info?

 

[6vior]

hello Marnetmar.

i heard say that YIP MAN, was a excellent drinker.

He loved absinthe, and light drug, but i am not sure.


SALVATORE

 

[geezer]

This is an interesting question, but not one that anybody I've seen posting on this forum can answer. It would be hard to get an objective answer even from those who knew him well, such as friends, family and close students. The historical record does suggest that he was far from the saintly figure depicted in the first Ip Man movie. Rather he was apparently a complicated man, a gifted martial artist, and equally capable of generosity and selfish pettiness. In other words, very human.

 

[Xue Sheng]

Ip Chun discusses him briefly in his books but I doubt he is writing the complete story and even if he is he is writing from the perspective of Ip Man's son

 

[wingchun100]

All I know about him is he liked his pipe and died shortly before Bruce Lee made it big.

 

[Takai]

My question would be which Ip Man would you be asking about? I have a feeling that the Ip Man that taught in Foshan was far different from the Ip Man that came to Hong Kong in 1949. After everything that he experience I cannot imagine that it did not impact his personality and general outlook on life.