Do we mean trouble

[ceasarx]

I was wondering about something . Because off our martial arts background does any one think that we attract trouble from people . I used to fight alot when I was a kid but know that I try to avoid problems with people it seems that more and more tough guys are trying to pick fights with me. Do martial artist project an image or something

[MA Fan]

I have wondered this myself on and off. I was turned down for a perfect job opportunity...didn't even make it to the interview and was so shocked I called to find out why. I was told it was because they felt my 'violent' background was not inkeeping with the company image.

I'm 5'5" of medium/slim build and I have never been in a fight in my life? (Apart from prearranged sparring of course!).

Before I even started MA - I thought MA was all about discipline and self defence...guess some pretty read different things into what they see on TV, hear from friends?

I have been taunted once about my MA in a pub. Apparently a friend of mine mentioned that I was visiting and said that I did MA. A couple of the regulars started to wind me up and started leaping around the pub shouting "Har-saw"...I just pretended I had no idea what they were talking about and one of them started to push me a little bit about. It was very frightening...everyone was laughing at what was happening and I felt no one would step in. In the end I said my friend was probably drunk when telling them I did MA and I was just a wuss at heart! I felt very ashamed and humiliated by this experience. I had only been training for about 2 months at the time...I couldn't have defended myself proficiently at that time anyway. I simply don't tell anyone now when I first meet them about my training, the less people know...the better...

[Guest]

That must have been awful for you. I've occasionally had work mates who think it is their duty to throw pretend punches at me every now and again. Some of these idiots get quite close to hitting. When I get fed up I will block and then throw a very quick open handed blow, just brushing their nose with my fingers.

These idiots think it is some kind of super accurate punch that I have expertly focussed on the tip of their nose!

Up to now it has discouraged everyone. If some hero decides to take the matter further I will kick his face in! "But he tried to punch me Your Honour". That should put people off for a while.

[conach]

MA Fan just said it... "the less people know...the better..."

But human nature can betray you... You just can't keep your mouth shut and be cocky here and there. This is something worth considering. I've been threaten many times just by talking... "I am gonna kick your ass so bad" and crap... Its a matter of going along with the game and have a laugh, until the threat turns serious... My opinion is to be quiet at all times. Its better. And when u have to kick ass, make sure the first strike is strong enough to give the oponent second thoughts about fighting you (I think Fighter wrote something similar in one of the threads). And he will surely see by your fighting stance, that u r armed and ready to kick his ass...

Now... Do we mean trouble?

[terry]

Martial arts has helped me a lot in school and business. When I got to undergraduate school I had not developed study habits, and martial arts helped me develop the discipline and perseverence to succeed in my studies. It also helped me in my career to understand, respect and deal with other cultures. For example, martial arts training helped me understand and deal with the more socially stratified relationships that exist in Chinese companies, to recognize and avoid situations in which I might put a colleague in a position of 'losing face' (not at all obvious at first) and not play the role of the out-of-control foreigner.

Conach's comments above also make my head nod in agreement. I ran up against some closed-minded people in business, especially low-level managers early in my career. You may know the type, people who can't recognize people with even one ability let alone several. If you find yourself around such a person I think it wise to play your cards close to the vest. And avoid them altogether if you can.

However, I would not advise someone to "Keep quiet at all times"--especially in an assault/battery/defense situation--because you may need your voice to help you get out of trouble. Rather, I would say the following: 1) avoid a confrontation if possible, 2) de-escalate if you can, and 3) if a fight is unavoidable keep your wits about you and conserve your energy. Don't run off at the mouth. The adrenaline rush of a life threatening situation will deplete your energy reserves quickly, and unless you are in really good shape you may be worn out and gasping for air within 30 seconds.

That last point is also why I think you do well to work on physical conditioniong and develop both aerobic and anaerobic endurance. And train martial arts under stress. Hard core physical conditioning will prolong the period you can function under conditions of adrenaline stress and also speed in your recovery.

Respectfully,

Terry

[conach]

What I meant Terry is try not to make comments on your martial arts skills/training, never intended to say be quiet in an "assault/battery/defense situation". Try to read with more patience. This was indeed taken into account. I have a story to add... When I was a kid, I used to train Goju-Ryu Karate. I was so cocky all the time when I was in school. Until I almost found myself getting in a fight with a brown belt in Shito-Ryu Karate because of my attitude... Fortunately I changed school before that even happened. I will never forget that for the rest of my life.

I agree completely with you in that you have to avoid confrontation if possible... The number 1 principle in MA. But this doesn't mean that you can get away with it and don't fight at all, chances are you will have to get involved in combat at least once in your life. I think that most MAs deal with the adrenaline rush factor and stress situations, like Krav Maga or hard striking arts like Muay Thai and Kickboxing. Now if a weapon shows up, that's another story. My opinion is that its a matter of your training... People here in the forum have made clear that u have to spar as realistic as possible. And you make a point here to train under stress, which I will consider myself. So I guess its definetely up to the individual...

Respects Terry...

[Mr. Miyagi]

If you're slightly built and do not show respect for the muscleheads at a bar then sometimes you can still get threatened even though you were minding your own business. The training makes you confident and less respectful of the fool that can bench 250 lbs.

[Superdude]

If you got turned down for a job interview because you study martial arts, you should sue that company. I'm pretty sure a company is not allowed to make their decision to hire someone or not based on that person's hobbies.

[terry]

Originally posted by conach
What I meant Terry is try not to make comments on your martial arts skills/training, never intended to say be quiet in an "assault/battery/defense situation".

Oh, okay. I agree with you. I don't like to give away the element of surprise.

Cheers, Terry