An old saying is that England and the USA are two countries divided by a common language. I think the same can be said of martial artists. We gather together to share a common interest, something which sets us apart from those who do not study martial arts. And then we tell each other what martial arts is, how the other person is doing it wrong, and why there is only one true way.
That seems odd to me.
Doesn't that seem odd to you?
A martial arts associate (FMA - Modern Arnis) used the school I was teaching out of for a test. One of the instructors (FMA - Modern Arnis and KMA - TSD) he associated with brought in some TSD high ranking black belts.
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When they were introduced to me I gave them our formal greeting. I shook their hand and placed my left hand on their forearm.
I did this for both of the guests.
One was upset ad I heard her discussing it with the other TSD High Ranking instructor that I had insulted them by touching their person.
At first I thought it might have been that she was a female. Yet, as she went on ( not quietly ) that it was about respect and not using the formal KMA - TSD with my fist to my forearm.
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I palmed a pen in my left and went up to and did the shake.
She smiled.
I then tapped her with the pen in her hand.
We Place out empty hand on your forearm during the shake so you know where both of our hands our and that they are empty and not hiding a blade.
She went from shocked and offended to guilty embarrassment to acceptance.
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I said understood she meant no insult by hiding her hand and also making it into a fist.
So I ignore the threat, which meant I could defend myself with her threats. (* If taken in the formal greeting sense *)
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She then laughed and I said it could just as easily been a knife in my hand.
She was not happy, yet not vocal about being insulted.
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Not everyone even in the same Art / System / Org will do everything exactly the same.
Do not assume that one's own art is the only way.
Do not assume that difference is meant as insult. (* If one believes this to be true then ask / verify and then react *).
Do not make scenes.
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I have given seating preference to those of lower rank, as it was something they wanted.
It does not mean that I am insulting them. They wanted to sit closer to chat, or in some cases to see better or for many other possible reasons.
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I have also run into this at work.
A merger with the future work group with the near term work group ( our group ) and a Group name being common with their model and the assume we are following their process and models of operations. They could not comprehend that the same phrase could be used in a way that could possibly mean something else.
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Peace
