Why do people seem different towards you,when they know or find out ,you can do or practicing Martial Arts?

Question

Even though,I don't give it large,like Pete S ,I dont strut around or anything like that????????

Answer 1

Its either they are afraid of you or they respect you or both because they know that you can handle yourself if you get yourself in a physical situation.

Well, for me it seems like no one takes me seriously even when they find out I do martial arts.

Once there was a group of strangers outside my dojo and they saw me walking out in my gi. After class, they were calling out to me and mocking me by trying to pick a fight and after that they started laughing.

I think that its got to do with my gentle looks and small frame. I look like a guy who would break down and cry if someone punches me.

And I also found out that people who like to mess me with me are usually big guys who have that "pure strength beats all, martial arts are useless" mentality. I find that infuriating sometimes.

Answer 2

I was at a party with my girlfriend once and she told a couple of people that i did muay thai, any how after a little while 2 guys came up to me and said that i should watch myself as 1 of them had been in prison for grevious bodily harm and the other 1 told me that he has been in trouble with the law for fighting and that if i thought that i was going to start any trouble i should think again... how weird was that for me as i had no idea what the h**l they were going on about until another guy who i knew came up and said that my kickboxing skills made them feel inferior or just plain scared.. i thought that the other 2 guys were from a local mental institution or something ...

Answer 3

Ppl need to know not to mess with the ZOHAN !

Answer 4

Because they are scared.

Martial Arts teachs weak people how to fight, but don't think it made you into a God. You can still get yo *** floored by people like me.

Answer 5

Quite honestly the only people who know I do are my family, close friends, and people at work, many of whom train also. I do not announce it to everyone I meet or weara black belt shirt, so i usually do not have a problem with negative reactions. I have been told I am a big lovable goof, and rarely have i ever mete anyone I couldn't get along with.

by the time someone is close enought o find out I study karate, they have already gotten to know me, and they just atke it in stride.

I feel my training is for me, and I have no reason to tell every body I meet that i train.

Edit- Jack D does not show anyone respect people, at least if teh don't do BJJ. Want proof check his profile and look at his answers.

Better yet here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 6

They don't always, as they know you can't use it against them. :)

Also, I never acted weird when my ex did Taek Won Do (Black belt). I actually used to beat him in fights xD

J x

Answer 7

a lot of people like to test you and make you feel like your martial art is no good even though you might only be a beginner.

i could just be jealousy especially if the person who finds out you are doing martial arts has a reputation for being a fighter. and a person like that might see it as a challenge

Answer 8

I think they respect the hard work, but it is not any different than the reaction people would get if you say you're in the military. People just respect others who go out of their way to push themselves.

That said, any average Joe who does martial arts is nothing compared to our soldiers who have fought in wars, or were in the military and willing to fight. That is true courage. Any martial artist, to me, is second to that. I also put fire fighters, police officers, and other professions high up there for courage.

I rolled (Jiu-Jitsu term) with a Black Belt last night. Out of all the guys in the place, he seems to have a big attitude and treat me like I don’t exist even though I show a lot of respect to everyone. He is NOTHING compared to a real warrior and I don’t care about his belt. I respect it, but he hasn’t done squat compared to any private over there in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Answer 9

Cause not only was it ment to defend yourself but able to kill the other person as well.  It pushes the limit of the body makeing a person stronger.  I know that when I flipped that freshmen an stuff, the rest of the class was afraid except for those that took a martial art which was only one.

Answer 10

You don't even need to know anything about either martial arts or killing people for strange rumours to float about in the work-place.

Take me for example.

I'm now retired, but before I left my last job, one work colleague asked me what it was like being in the SAS!  I was frankly flabberghasted - I've never been in the SAS.  Yes, I was in the Army (1957-1965) and yes my senior troop sergeant had been in the SAS during WW2.

God alone knows how the story got about that I'd been in the SAS.

Well, what to say to this work-mate?

I simply told him the truth.  To which he replied, "yeah, but all you old SAS blokes say the same thing - gotta keep your identity secret etc".

A no hope case.

If I ran around the room with a fly-swat, I might eventually manage to kill a fly.  As for another human being - no.

Another thing that puzzles me is that my neighbours all think I'm a tough-guy - blimey!  It's just not true.  Okay so I shouted at a bunch of teens once and they all ran off - so what, that's not being tough, that's just shouting.  Anyway, they never came back, so God alone knows what they're thinking.

Just don't ask or temp etc.

Answer 11

Many do not have a deep understanding of it so many are either confused by exactly what you are doing and have little understand if Martial Arts.

Those that do respect your art.  As long as you are not bragging of course..=]

Answer 12

Some people think if you study a martial art or combat sport that you have a pre-disposition to violence.

Answer 13

because there is nothing more scary than the unknown...

people judge you on your appearance and character and other guys automatically put themselves in the line... like wolves for instance...

the alpha male in a pack is the big scary looking one usually - and the other dogs dont challenge him cuz they think they'll get an *** kicking... humans do the same - if you dont think you can fight somebody and win you wouldnt start a fight with that person! right?

upon meeting somebody you decide where in the line you fall. 'jack the lad' type of characters always put themselves at the top and often intimidate others for no reason...

however upon learning that you practice martial arts you are seen in a whole new light - now you either become alpha and people think twice about messing you around making them feel uncomfortable to be around you...

or... they see you now as a threat to their ego and feel they must challenge you - often in mockery - like "go on then show us some moves"

as for the girls... girls dig guys who can fight...

especially if its defending them...

however they dont like guys who fight for no reason!

you have to decide whether your a knight in shining armour or a common thug...

just be yourself -

i just tell people its more of a way to keep fit rather than a way to level somebody if they throw a drunken punch at you on a night out...

Answer 14

A lot of people are insecure and get intimidated.  I've learned over the years to keep it confidential, because no matter how old I get or where I go I know there will be at least one insecure bozo who feels he has to prove himself.

Answer 15

I'm not sure however when i told everyone i did judo they all started wanting to fight me also everyone always asks why i don't use judo in fights you know why i don't because I'm  responsible if they start act different try ignoring them or if they persist then do something about it e.g. throw some one else like a close friend on the floor after a fake argument whilst trying not to hurt them of course if you do this in front of someone this will get around quick and the person annoying you will real use you can beat the c**p out of 'em if you have just started the martial art then say you do it to keep up your fitness any way sorry for the length!

                                                                Aways happy to help!

Answer 16

I guess it would depend on the individuals perception of martial artists and what we stand for

personally I haven't noticed this

Answer 17

Because they don't want you to kick the c**p out of them.

Answer 18

I don't like to tell people I practice martial arts, simply because they will either take the p**s or try to start a fight. Even though that's not what it's about.