This question popped up while visiting another forum. It would not surprise me to see it "stolen/borrowed" and posted in that forum.

It all revolves around an instructor and how arrogant and rude they seem to be. Several people commented about how rude this person was on the net and some even said in person but they did give this instructor some respect based on some of the skills they have. Others however have defended this instructor simply because of the way they train. Ask a question get a rude answer. Comment unfavorably and get attaked with insults and cussing which you are not allowed to use.

I have read and seen in interviews where some people have said that Bruce Lee was very arrogant but when you got to really know him or he allowed you in, that he was a friend for life. Even James Yimm Lee would not take you on as a student till he got to know you as a person. Some people are "hard to get to know" people. They are very guarded as to who they allow to get close to them. This can be percieved as being arrogant or "standoffish" at times but this is not what I am talking about; so don't blend the two.

My question is would you excuse an instructor who is being arrogant and rude either on the net or in person just because they train hard? Are they given a free pass to be a, excuse the term but, prick because they have some skill and train hard?

Kent

Kent,

If someone is be an excellent martial artist it cetainly doesn't translate to what type of human being they are. I am an old fart (although not as old as Lamar :)) and started in traditional karate in the late 60's. Being humble and respecting your instructors was expected. Instructors also had expectations regarding their behavior.

My advice is don't waste your time or energy on individuals you can't trust no matter what they know about JKD or any martial art. Giving passes to anyone for bad behavior no matter who they are just doesn't make good sense. We sure wouldn't teach our kids this.

Say hi to Lamar.

Jim Riggio

Good question Kent.
No, I would not excuse this. Bad behavior is bad behavior. We see this in all forms of athletics and entertainment. Because a person has some special gift we are to ignore deplorable behavior. I don't. Those who are specially gifted should live in an attitude of thanks and humility for the gift they have been given. Sure it takes hard work to develop their gift but it is a gift none the less. The way I treat people is as a result of my faith in Christ but I thought that the martial arts were also to develop positive character attributes. I guess the person to whom you are referring should go back and explore the essence of the art he teaches or better yet explore a relationship with God. Make no mistake, the arrogant and proud will be brought down. From what I have seen here, Sifu Davis is an excellent example of what a good sifu should be, open minded, patient and approachable.
Just my thoughts
Kimsut

Kent

I would never excuse a person who is being arrogant and rude regardless of the circumstances. I don't understand people who can admire a person for their skills and then be totally oblivious to their negative behaviour. It's people like them who will stand up for rude and arrogrant people and find ways to justify their behaviour.

No person should ever be given a free pass for their rude behaviour regardless if they train hard or not. Just because you train hard does not give you justification to be rude and arrogant to other people, especially people who wish to learn from you.

Tom

A persons behaviour can often be attributed to the environment and experiences they have had to deal with. A highly skilled person can often be looked upon with envy and for people with bad intentions this can often become a weakness that others can exploit.

There is truth to the term "Nice guys always finish last". I guess in the end its up to the invidual how they handle the situation but please remember that while we are martial artists we are also just humans. We all have faults and we all have different ways of dealing with things.

As a Christian and a Martial artist its important that we understand a persons circumstances before we too make a judgement on what they are and what they aren't. Even Jesus became angry at one stage in his life.

So what have these people had to deal with thats made them like that?

Sometimes i've met people that are hard and quite rude to begin with. How you react to it indicates to them what type of person you are, and this at times could be a very very quick way in which they can screen wether or not they want you as a friend or to have nothing to do with you at all.

Also you have to remember that they do take their training quite seriously, so most of the time they aren't interested in time wasters and those who are not dedicated and this can also be a way to screen that out.

I'm not making excuses for that type of behaviour but its just one of those things that you have to understand and not take too personally.

So if a person treats you that way "turn the other cheek" and be humble kind.

and if all else fails you can always give them a lead straight...LOL

Kind regards

Edsel William Aquino

Hi Guys!

I just wanted to say that these are excellent comments all the way around! I personally feel that there is no reason for rude behavior on discussion forums. We should all be here to help each other, and to thrive and grow from each other's insights! If someone asks me a legitimate question, I will give a polite response to the best of my ability, based of course upon what I know regarding the topic I am asked about. That is how it should be, as we are supposedly here to help each other. Keep up the great work guys!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
JKD@windstream.net
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
http://www.DragonBlastMA.com
Phone (205) 296-7070 (Incoming Only)

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"The REAL future of Jeet Kune Do belongs to US, the few, the proud, the HARDCORE! Now, what are we going to do with it?" _ Sifu Lamar M. Davis II

Just because someone trains hard that does not make them a nice person.
I avoid arrogant and boastful people as they a full of themselves. Such people have tried to destroy my self confidence in the past so best to avoid them.
Find a positive role model and wise Sifu is my advice.