Fighters/Martial Arist - What do they look like?

Question

I've been doing japanese jujutsu and Bjj for the past 6 months and wondering when people look at me, do they know that I'm a martial artist?

What are the "tell-tale" signs of someone who can definitely fight or had training?

Here are the signs I look for when sizing up a person to see if I can determine their training:

1) posture: solid posture - not just "good," but solid.

2) forearms: not necessarily "big" but tight and bulky shows either gripping strength/ punching power.

3) stance: during communication, martial artist/police officers/fighters tend to face the other person at an angle (instinctual) i guess.

I know non of these are DEFINITIVE ANSWERS and nothing should be taken in isolation, but just looking for how other martial artists size up potential threats.

Answer 1

No real way to tell.

Martial artists tend to be more in shape than most people, but then again, so are cyclists.

There may be a certain flow to the way they move that indicates good coordination coupled with excellent balance, but that might also indicate a ballet dancer.

Answer 2

Those are pretty good...traditional martial artist usually aren't particularly buff, more thin or average builds. But they carry themselves in a certain way... always checking out their surroundings, trying not to sit with their backs to a crowd in restaurants or bars.  MMA fighters tend to  stand out a little more. More buff/ broader in the shoulders, big necks and tattoos. (not trying to insult or pigeonhole any mma fighters, its just an observation)

Answer 3

No one can tell just by looking at someone if they train. That is unless you scare easily and jump into a fighting stance each time a car drives by. But if you at easily rattled no one will know by looking at you.

Answer 4

Sorry to say but you can never really tell if some one is a good fighter or not unless you have seen them fight, they are wearing professional shirts as fighters or such.

Other than that there is not much way to size some one up so easily with MA unless you have the chance to watch them fight first.

Answer 5

I dont really think there is a way to tell someone is a martial artist.

If your going to jump someone in the street one day, you'd better just pray they don't study martial arts.