who has met Master Choi Jung Hwa?

[midnight star]

im meeting him this september as part of a seminar here in the uk.
iv been told we all have to learn and adhere to the correct etiquette when in his presence.

can anyone give me a heads-up on the kind of etiquette we're talking about here?!

we've been told that when being presented with our certificates,we must not look him in the eye as this is an insult!
also,there is a correct way(apparently) to hand him papers,water etc....

now, i really dont wanna mess this up, but after the seminar there is a banquet being held in his honour!

now,banquet means alcohol and alcohol means f**king it up completely!!!!!!!!!!!

please gives tips on surviving this without bringing shame to the UK!!!

 

[miguksaram]

im meeting him this september as part of a seminar here in the uk.
iv been told we all have to learn and adhere to the correct etiquette when in his presence.

can anyone give me a heads-up on the kind of etiquette we're talking about here?!

we've been told that when being presented with our certificates,we must not look him in the eye as this is an insult!
also,there is a correct way(apparently) to hand him papers,water etc....

now, i really dont wanna mess this up, but after the seminar there is a banquet being held in his honour!

now,banquet means alcohol and alcohol means f**king it up completely!!!!!!!!!!!

please gives tips on surviving this without bringing shame to the UK!!!

There are a lot of Korea customs. Here is the basic need to know:

1) Always accept the certificate or award with two hands and bow. (Note: the bow doesn't have to extremely deep, nor should it be just a nod of the head either)

2) When presenting him with any type of certificate or award, or pretty much anything, use two hand and to give it two him and bow.

3) I think what they mean by not looking him in the eyes is when you bow. This rule is mostly for formal occasions or when dealing with a senior/junior situation.

4) When shaking hands you will shake with your right while positioning you left hand (palm down) just underneath your right elbow.

5) If you are drinking alcohol with him, be sure to turn your head slightly away when you take a drink.

6) If you pour alcohol for him pour with the right hand and place your left hand just below the right wrist.

I hope this helps.

 

[midnight star]

cool!
that helps loads,thanks!
we always shake hands like that so that comes naturally!
i even have to stop myself doing it when OUT of tkd!
but the pouring of alcohol etc was a good tip,thanks

 

[Marginal]

There's a ton of rules.

On the hand shaking, don't offer your hand first. Wait for him to extend his hand to you.

Don't eat or drink until he does.

 

[miguksaram]

There's a ton of rules.

On the hand shaking, don't offer your hand first. Wait for him to extend his hand to you.

Don't eat or drink until he does.

Correct, you should wait for him to begin eating before you do, however, he may tell you to start first. At that point you may do so.

 

[chrispillertkd]

im meeting him this september as part of a seminar here in the uk.

Congratulations. GM Choi is a very impressive martial artist. I have only been able to train with him twice but both times were very memoriable and I will be attending a third seminar with him in October.

iv been told we all have to learn and adhere to the correct etiquette when in his presence.

can anyone give me a heads-up on the kind of etiquette we're talking about here?!

Miguksuram did a good job of explaining things, but I will give you some more input from a specifically ITF viewpoint.

we've been told that when being presented with our certificates,we must not look him in the eye as this is an insult!
also,there is a correct way(apparently) to hand him papers,water etc....

Nothing about not looking him in the eye. In fact, when you bow you should retain eye contact. Bow slightly lower than him as he is your senior.

When handing things or receiving thigs from a senior do so with two hands. So when you receive your certificate take it with two hands.

When shaking hands do so with two hands. Shake with the right hand (obviously) while the left goes underneath the elbow palm up[/m], not palm down. This symbolizes the weight of the friendship between Taekwon-Doin; it's so "weighty"/important that you have to support it. Palm down? As it was explained to me once, you're not getting ready to finger tip thrust anyone!

The use of two hands when shaking hands and giving/receiving things indicates that you're giving someone your complete attention. Not to do so to a senior is rude.

Also, wait until GM Choi (or any senior) extends his hand to you to shake. Do not walk up to him with your hand stuck out.

now, i really dont wanna mess this up, but after the seminar there is a banquet being held in his honour!

These are always a good time. Go to meet other people and see old friends.

now,banquet means alcohol and alcohol means f**king it up completely!!!!!!!!!!!

No it doesn't, unless you're already planning on drinking to excess. Drinking is a big deal in Korean culture, but if you're already worried about having alcohol impair your judgement then you should make sure you drink only in moderation.

please gives tips on surviving this without bringing shame to the UK!!!

When GM Choi is escorted into the room everyone should stand until he gets to his seat.

When the banquet starts wait until GM Choi eats before you start eating. If you are sitting at his table, or in close proximity and his order is taking longer he may encourage you to go ahead and begin eating. Simply say that you would prefer to wait until his food has come out.

Keep an eye on GM Choi's table. When he's done eating you are done eating. If anyone tells you to finish politely decline.

Turn your head away from your senior when drinking. If you cough they won't get an extra shower.

When toasting the rim of your glass goes lower than the rim of your senior's glass. GM Choi will on occasion toast someone and, as your glasses come together, serruptitiously lower his glass. A little test to see if you're paying attention Make sure you are and lower your glass acorrdingly.

If during the course of the dinner GM Choi takes off his jacket, you take off your jacket.

If the senior at your table gets up, you stand, too.

If your senior's glass is empty you fill it for them. Don't fill your own glass. (It's best to sit with someone else who knows this rule if you tend to get thirsty ).

If any of your seniors smoke and you have matches light them towards yourself, not towards them. That way if there's a problem you get burned, they don't.

There's more, but that's all I can think of now off the top of my head. Best thing to do is keep an eye on GM Choi and the seniors at his table. If Master Parm Rai is accompanying GM Choi there may be a time during the seminar where you can ask him specific questions about etiquette. Do not pass that up. This could be during a Q&A session at the end or if you have the chance you could serruptitiously mention to him you're a bit worried about the etiquette for the banquet (and training) and hopefully he will offer some tips.

Etiquette is very important, but don't let worrisd about it ruin your experience. A bow and an "I'm sorry, sir," go a long way IMHO.

Pax,

Chris

 

[Earl Weiss]

Geez, brings back memories.

Once at a dinner on an outdoor deck at a pub in Grand Lake Co. I was speaking with General Choi. He was seated and I was standing . He offered his galss for a toast and when I extended mine, due to the elevation dofference the rim of my glass touched above the rim of his. As I hoped the deck would open and swallow me, I said "I apologize sir. I know the proper etiquette and I am sorry for the error."

At which point he reached out, patted me on the shoulder and said "That's O.K."

I think that was about the best response he could have given and I respected him more for that than if he had justifiably taken the opportunity to educate me.

 

[ATC]

There are a lot of Korea customs. Here is the basic need to know:

1) Always accept the certificate or award with two hands and bow. (Note: the bow doesn't have to extremely deep, nor should it be just a nod of the head either)

2) When presenting him with any type of certificate or award, or pretty much anything, use two hand and to give it two him and bow.

3) I think what they mean by not looking him in the eyes is when you bow. This rule is mostly for formal occasions or when dealing with a senior/junior situation.

4) When shaking hands you will shake with your right while positioning you left hand (palm down) just underneath your right elbow.

5) If you are drinking alcohol with him, be sure to turn your head slightly away when you take a drink.

6) If you pour alcohol for him pour with the right hand and place your left hand just below the right wrist.

I hope this helps.

Yep that is spot on. Also remember that if he offers you a drink you must take it with a smile (see list numbers 1 and 5 also). Even if you do not drink you must this time. I was told that by doing so and accepting his offer of a drink you show that you trust him and his judgment.

Also end all statments directed at him with SIR!

Don't worry you will mess up some stuff as there are tons of rules but hey, it is a learning experience.

 

[Earl Weiss]

At another dinner, in Jamaica, General Choi and his son were at the table. Some of us engaged in small talk (what we did for a living - family etc. ) and I felt the son nudge me. Did not know why. Then he nudged me again and said "Do not engage in small talk when seniors (meaning his father) are present."

At this point everyone became quite and I sat like a stone.

After about 30 seconds he says to me "So, what do you do for a living".

I understand your nervousness. I hosted General Choi fro several days and feared there would be some goofy incident that would live on in eternal infamy among ITF stories.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Yep that is spot on. Also remember that if he offers you a drink you must take it with a smile (see list numbers 1 and 5 also). Even if you do not drink you must this time. I was told that by doing so and accepting his offer of a drink you show that you trust him and his judgment.

.

Well, I know some who became very adept at pretending to drink.

Strangely, afterword some of the potted plants were not looking well.

 

[chrispillertkd]

At another dinner, in Jamaica, General Choi and his son were at the table. Some of us engaged in small talk (what we did for a living - family etc. ) and I felt the son nudge me. Did not know why. Then he nudged me again and said "Do not engage in small talk when seniors (meaning his father) are present."

At this point everyone became quite and I sat like a stone.

After about 30 seconds he says to me "So, what do you do for a living".

:lol:

I understand your nervousness. I hosted General Choi fro several days and feared there would be some goofy incident that would live on in eternal infamy among ITF stories.

Indeed, meeting anyone with rank that can only be quantified as "stratospheric" can be nerve wracking.

Pax,

Chris

 

[ATC]

Well, I know some who became very adept at pretending to drink.

Strangely, afterword some of the potted plants were not looking well.

Yes, I usually pass my glass to a Jr. to me when no one is looking

 

[StuartA]

Hey Miguksaeam, ChrisSpillerTKD and Earl,

This stuff would make an interesting article for TotallyTKD magazine!!

Stuart

 

[jim777]

Hey Miguksaeam, ChrisSpillerTKD and Earl,

This stuff would make an interesting article for TotallyTKD magazine!!

Stuart

It would indeed, I had no idea of any of this

 

[midnight star]

wow, what can i say?!

if i wasn't worried about meeting Master Choi before...i am now!! lol

Thank you all so much for your kind advice.
iintend to write it down and share this with my other friends who will be attending.

Unfortunatly, i'll no longer be attending the seminar as i cannot get the day off work,but will still be attending the banquet in the evening.

i do not drink a lot anyway,but because of this,it doesn't take an awful lot to feel tipsy!


As for the 'do not eat til he eats' rule...???

OMG!
i'll have to have a snack before i leave home then cus i'll be starving!

i'll just have to pray i'm not on/near his table i think.
however,i'll be watching the people around him very closely now to see if they mess up!!!!

i guess if offering to shake his hand is out of the question,then i've NO chance of getting a dance with him!
mind you,with me at 5' 10", that might not look so cool anyway!

please keeps the tips and advice coming in guys!

x

 

[StuartA]

OMG!
i'll have to have a snack before i leave home then cus i'll be starving!

Don't you know.. you can't do that.. thats the biggest rule of them all.. no sneaking in snacks so you don't feel so hungry whilst waiting for the moment a Korean master feels like eating something. To do so shows a complete lack of integrity, courtesy and self control and it will be 2,000 press-ups for you if you are caught and 1,500 that you must give your self if not caught due the shame

:lfao:

Stuart

 

[Marginal]

Don't you know.. you can't do that.. thats the biggest rule of them all.. no sneaking in snacks so you don't feel so hungry whilst waiting for the moment a Korean master feels like eating something. To do so shows a complete lack of integrity, courtesy and self control and it will be 2,000 press-ups for you if you are caught and 1,500 that you must give your self if not caught due the shame

To be fair,the etiquette's supposed to be attached to the person's rank and not their nationality.

 

[StuartA]

To be fair,the etiquette's supposed to be attached to the person's rank and not their nationality.

I hear ya.

Hows about the etiquette of we are all equal human beings and lets just be civil and polite to each other, rather than bow & scrape! :boing2:

 

[troubleenuf]

Exactly.... This guy puts his pants on the same way you do. All the bullcrap about what you must do and what you must do is if you are visiting their culture. If he is coming to yours treating anyone with dignity and respect is great.... making a fool of yourself is another matter. In fact I have seen the Koreans themselves laugh at the antics some people go through to impress some bigwig.

I hear ya.

Hows about the etiquette of we are all equal human beings and lets just be civil and polite to each other, rather than bow & scrape! :boing2:

 

[chrispillertkd]

Unfortunatly, i'll no longer be attending the seminar as i cannot get the day off work,but will still be attending the banquet in the evening.

It's good that at least you'll be able to attend the banquet, but it's a shame you're going to miss the seminar. I still remember seeing then-Master Choi demonstrate for the first time. Very powerful. Very. Side piercing kicks like a shot from a .45.

I'm not saying you should call in sick or anything, but ...

i do not drink a lot anyway,but because of this,it doesn't take an awful lot to feel tipsy!

As Master Weis mentioned, it's not necessarily bad to look like you're drinking. Interestingly enough, I have read a couple of books on Korean culture and surreptitiously pouring one's drink into a near by potted plant is apparently not unheard of in Korea

Pax,

Chris