People want me to train them privately or show them some special move that will make them have a supposed unfair advantage on an adversary. People ask what the secret to fighting is or the secret to Martial Arts is or are their one style that is superior then all the others. My personal favorite is show me something that you know, of course the only thing you can show them is simple techniques or a form but you know thats not what they want to see. They want to evaluate you and see if they should fear you or not its like a right of passage for men to see if you could be their match or are you just a punk, thats all talk. The problem is what you show them is only relevant to what you know and if you know too much then you could seem arrogant and lead yourself into more trouble. I usually smile and tell that person to join my class if they want to see what I know. Then if their persistent I explain what I have learned through martial arts mental and physically in words not actions. First, I like to give them a brief (very brief) background of my self and the styles I know. Mainly how long I have been taking it and the fact that I love to teach and ONLY teach now that Im older. That gives them an idea of my knowledge level from the years I have studied, plus lowers any testosterone that might be building up by saying that I teach not compete. Then I will let him talk and 90% of the time they will tell you that they are also a Martial Artist but have only studied for a short time or just OUT and OUT lie to you and say there a master of poop-fu or something no one has ever herd of. Next, I will explain to them the two of the main aspects of martial arts. One is that Practice makes perfect. I will do this by letting him know how often I practice and how much of my life is consumed in martial Arts. From conditioning, to speed drills, to studying, and to practice in class. Secondly I will follow up with my ability to react to properly to a situation from that constant practice. Kind of hinting that you dont want to go down that route but at the same time asking him if he understands what I am talking about. The majority of interrogators want to understand and are not looking for a fight they just want respect and they probably think you wont give it to them because they think that you think you are better then they are. Everyone in life who has been in a fight understands that your reaction and the time it takes to do are important. So they will agree with you or by this point just want to walk away and end the badgering. Finally, I will let him explain some things in his life that relate to the subject steering away from anything aggressive or physical. At this time I will put on my intellectual face and switch the conversation to everyone else. This puts you and him on the inside as a team and everyone else on the outside looking in. This also allows you to judge your interrogator by there responses. I will do this by saying statements like: Its not, the one move that will push you over the edge in a fight; its the will to use it.The man with nothing to lose is the one you should fear the most.Speed is the number one determining factor in a fight, not strength or knowledge.These questions are great conversation pieces for real Martial artist and the answers they give to these comments will dictate their knowledge of Martial Arts. Then you will know if there a martial artist, a punk or a drunk. At this point I either leave or have made a new friend. |
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