Should you tell people your belt grade?

Question

I mean, when you are trying out new clubs, you may have a pink with green spots belt in your style of, let say karate, but to broaden your style you may go to another karate class, they ask you what youve done before, would you tell them your belt, or give "iv done a little bit" answer.

why would you give the answer?

Also to people youve never met, who happen to know that you do MA (through a friend say) do you tell them what belt you are when they ask?

Thank you very much

Answer 1

Hi there

Speaking from experience i don't think you should tell an instructor when you visit other clubs to cross train. I've had both a positive and negative experience by trying to explain what i do. I think the best way is not to tell them. Once they see how you move they will ask you right away and make their own judgement. You then have the option of telling them or remain humble. I think the best way is to remain the humble student. That way you will get to see how an instructor conducts themselves and how good the club is. I think the only time I have explained my grade was when I attended another club of the same style. But my license covered me for that.

If its a total stranger then it depends on how I assess their character. If they seem sincere and generally interested then i will usually tell them. But not everyone out there is playing with a full deck. Sometimes its best to just humor them and say you dabble in a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Hope this makes sense.

Nice to have you back. The fairy knows best. ;-)

Best wishes

idai

Answer 2

If you went to a new club to train, I think it would be silly to lie/mislead your trainer about the level belt you have attained.

Saying you are better than you are may get you hurt.
Undermining your level of training may get you in trouble and someone else could get hurt.

As for general public, if someone finds out you are trained in martial arts, they first thing they ask is "What Belt are you?".
You could either not tell them you are trained in martial arts (people have been known to pick a fight when they find out),
or you could just avoid answering directly "Well I'm just training", as if you say "*** belt" they'll think you're bragging and probably ask you to show them a "move".

Having said that, most people don't know the belt grade system apart from Black.

I always avoided telling people, I'd just say I'd been to the gym or something (which isn't a lie either), sounds silly I know, but avoids confrontations with idiots.

Hope that helps

Danny

Answer 3

Some traditional styles and strict traditionalists believe you should never flout or expose your rank. First it goes against some of the more traditional tenants of martial arts and humility. Secondly it exposed you and your abilities and training to some who might be future adversaries and so you wouldn't have the element of surprise in your favor if that were to happen.

If someone asks then yes I tell them what my rank is and they usually say something like you must be pretty good to which I usually just answer, "I have been doing it a long time" or "I can hold my own if I have to". From that they are free to draw whatever conclusions they have already pretty much predetermined. It also does not take the conversation anywhere unless they want to and then it will become apparent if its just curiosity or social conversation or one of those ego things with them and what they use to study or any of those other negative aspects that come up like "do you think you can beat me?" types.

Answer 4

personal preference I give the "I've done a bit" answer only when asked. Not many people then really try to push the answer out of you for specific grades. If they do, answer "I've done a few styles so I've got a few grades".
The important thing is to try new styles and learn from them. You don't go to a new class to show them how good your other style is and how far you've got. You go there to learn more and improve on your experience already gained.
I've tried a few styles over 25 years and find it Really satisfying standing at the back being the new guy. People want to teach you what they know instead of "what would YOUR STYLE do if I did this?"

Answer 5

With a new Sensei, I would say that I am whatever kyu/gup/whatever, and that should give them a rough idea of your abilities.

I would give the answer so that they give me the appropriate training for my grade, although it is not entirely possible to judge the training someone should have from belt colour.

It depends in what context they are asking what belt you are. If, say, they were mouthing off and it looked like it could turn into something nasty I wouldn't give them my grade, because, for one reason, it leaves them wondering what grade you really are - you could have a 9th kyu and they'd think you were 1st dan.

In a different context, say, meeting someone at a friend's party or something, I wouldn't mind telling them my grade - martial arts can even be a conversation-starter!

Answer 6

First when a new student comes into our school we like to know if the have any training. If the are from another school and are say a blue belt, rather than start them at white over again we might let them test at that rank level and if the do well we will start them at the level below blue and advance the quickly to blue as soon as we have them for a few weeks to determine if the are ready to move on.
If they come from another art we like to know so we can understand the student better. A student from another art will tend to react in drills on his instinct acquired from former training. This can sometimes be a learning opportunity for us as well.
I only tell people my belt rank when it is related to or inportant to the conversation. I don't advertise it.
It is important to understand that a whit belt if he realy understands aplications and trains very good can be more formidable than you can imagine.

Answer 7

If you're joining a new school or system they kinda want to know your level so disclosing it isn't a big deal - if asked. If not, just keep it to yourself. Kinda Egotistical to blurt out things like that don't you think?

I've been asked several times through the many years of martial arts, not what belt I have but normally - "So are you a black belt?"

My answer is usually - "Something like that."

If they do ask what belt I have I just say, "I've studied for (fill in years here)."

Because lets be honest - do belts matter?

If I said I was a purple belt in Okinawa Te Karate, what does equate to a purple belt in Tae Kwon Do or Brazillian JuJitsu?

So different in so many levels that a Purple Belt in Okinawa Te is like a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. And how do you compare a stand up fighting arts black belt to a ground style like Jujitsu??? Impossible so like I said, belts don't matter to those who want to know and really don't know any better. Only to you and what you are studying.

Answer 8

Hm, it depends on the situation. I recently changed my karate club, so I needed to tell my new instructor my grade, so that my current grade could be honoured/kept.
On the other hand, after an unpleasant experience, I only talk about my martial arts to people that I know well. I also no longer mention my martial arts unless I am asked; even then, I am choosy about with whom I discuss it never mind what colour belt I wear!

Answer 9

It doesn't really matter. I tell people I'm a blackbelt, but it's unimportant to me which "dan" I am. All blackbelts know the entire curriculum (all 8 empty hand kata) in my style, so then it's just a matter of perfecting them throughout your life. A lot of higher grading (especially over 5th or 6th dan) is political and not skill based at all. (as it should be, because these are the political beasts who figure ways to promote the style throughout the country)

Answer 10

If you are trying out a new school, it is most common to go back to white belt. That is how it was in the old days anyway, and that is how I teach. If someone asks though, I tell them. I don't brag or boast, I just give simple answers.