Why do women seem more impressed with my black belt than my four year degree?

Question

I think it's a shame. The degree took longer, and was harder to earn than showing up for a martial arts class a few times a week for a few years.
If girls find out I'm a college grad, their reaction is not even close to the way their eyes light up when someone tells them I have a black belt. I'm not even all that serious about classes anymore. I've never earned a dime from it. In fact, it's been a very expensive hobby over the years.

The reaction is the same from my cousin and her friends (high school), to women my age (30s).
Is this kind of like the way men like girls in cheerleader, flight attendant, or Hooters uniforms?

I don't tell women I date until they find out from someone else. I'm asking this question because I wonder if I should exploit it.

All of your answers are quite useful AND informative. I honestly was not expecting more than 5 answers.

I'll let the voters decide the best answer.

As for me, Bachelor of Science in CJ, Black (1st Dan) TKD. A stubborn knee injury has hampered me from the next level. I stuck with the degree because the job I wanted required one.
As for "D.B.", Well, I was a paratrooper in the army. I get called "D.B." sometimes when I wear the shades with a suit. Unfortunately, I'm approaching the age of Mr. Cooper when he made history.
As for the guy who has been in it for 4 years and still a purple, be sure your school isn't one of those that promotes infrequently. It's a tactic used to keep people in the school.
I hate to say it, but the hardest part about getting the black belt was the motivation to go to class even on those days when I didn't feel like going.

Answer 1

Because martial arts require a certain discipline and you don't do it to get something like a job or money out of it. I've always liked people who have a passion, whatever it may be.

I used to study Shotokan, but I never went for belts. I just liked to learn katas and spar. Marital arts can also teach you how to have patience and use momentum, as in Tai Chi, go with the flow, use certain moves to your advantage. When someone pushes you, you move back and pull him down. It's the same in life when you're dealt a bad hand you need to know how to use that to your advantage. There's a whole philosophy behind it all.

That's why I admire people who are into marital arts. Your degree, yeah, I hear you, that's good, but how many people have a degree and don't know their @ss from their elbow, as in no common sense what so ever?... I've met quite a few. Martial arts with a good sensei can teach you that. Ever read "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior"?

Answer 2

You are probably only dating certain types of women. Also, it may seem more impressive because it's more unusual and to people that haven't experienced it, they probably think you are a martial arts expert that can do somersaults through the air and chop through a phone book with one hand, like jackie Chan. Whereas although very commendable, many people have degrees nowadays but it's not as exciting and unusual as being a black belt.

I don't think it's teh same as men like hooters, cheerleaders etc. That's just because they are a sterotype or dress in a certain way. They aren't impressed because of the way you look in your martial art uniform, it's what you have achieved.You should be proud that you have accomplished this.

Answer 3

yeah, i have a 3rd degree black belt in tang soo do and i'm be much more eager to share that with women than i would be a bachelors degree(as soon as i get it). i think a lot of women are just impressed by athletic ability. where do you think the stereotype of all the dumb jocks getting the girls while the nerds can't even get a date came from?

also, the black belt is more unique and uncommon. i mean, if you were a phd or something, then lots of women would be more impressed by that. and lets not forget that a lot of ppeople overestimate black belts. a lot of people seem to think that if you have a black belt, you are like Jackie Chan or something and you can beat anybody up. but in a lot of cases, that is not true. there are 9 year old black belts.

Answer 4

First of all, I think it's funny that you know who DB Cooper is! Cheers. Glad you live through the fall. So you've been spending that money on Karate lessons?
I would question the education of the women who are more impressed by the black belt than the degree. I would be more impressed by your education.
I assume your very fit. If women just want sex, then they go for the body. If they want a relationship, both are important.
Sounds just like the way a man would think.
Another thought - movies glorify karate fighting, but do not glorify (to the same extent) intelligence.
Kudos for both!

Answer 5

I dunno where you got yours, or in what discipline, but I thought getting a college degree was a joke compared to the work it took to get the belts I have.

In school I smoked a lot of dope, went to a lot of keg parties, screwed around with women a lot, and every once in a while, I'd study for a couple of hours or be forced to sit at the library for half a day writing a term paper.

I won't tell you what belts I have, what they are in - I don't believe in thinly disguised bragging. Hork. But they are a lot of benefits to taking martial arts besides impressing girls and learning to kick butt. If you have a black in anything you should know that.

As for cost vs benefit, well, college has nearly every adult endeavor beat all to hell. Takes up a s*hitload of time, too. And for what? Becoming an expert in English literature? Psychology? A host of things that are better learned in the real world than listening to some clown that couldn't cut it in the marketplace himself tell YOU how to do it?

The majority of people that get degrees get ones that are good for little other than wiping their butts.

Answer 6

You have a degree? That's cool. Where did you attend school?

It's more common these days for a man to have a degree than a black belt. (btw, in what discipline is your black belt?) That's why women are more amazed by the black belt. I can walk outside right now and find a man with a BS, but a black belt is quite harder to come by.

Answer 7

Timely question for me. I just met a man around 42 who teaches martial arts and boxing privately at his in-home work-out room as his only profession for 20 years. He says the majority of his students (all have been with him for several years) are women in their 50's. I was very surprised.

It may just be a rarer commodity. Everyone studies. Not many really discipline their bodies. and yes, as any professional advertiser admits, unfortunately, sex sells. You are simply witnessing the basic element of this statement and the evidence first-hand. Perhaps you may try not even mentioning your black-belt if you feel it does not attract the right women. . .

Answer 8

How long did it take you to get your black belt? I've been in training for over four years, and I'm still on purple. You must pass the test every session.

Either way, it seems that people value a man's strength over his mind. If more men (and women) thought the way you do, the high-school nerds would be on top of the social ladder.

Answer 9

1. Lots of people have college degrees--I have 3 of them. Comparatively few people have black belt status.
2 They make action movies about the martial arts, not usually about college graduates, perhaps with the exception of Indiana Jones.
3. They might like the idea that with your black belt you could protect them if necessary. You might not go to your average history major for protection.

Answer 10

Do men react the same way? It's just that it's not typical for people to have a black belt. It intrigues both sexes. People could also be intrigued because you stole all that money, jumped from a flying plane, and are still missing.