I find this a very interesting thread but also find that most of the posts are grasping at what the actual meaning of "RESPECT" is.
Just as some of you have touched on other aspects: Honor, Trust, Courtsey... which would be used to define MORAL CULTURE. These concepts - Rank, Moral Culture, Respect... seem hard to grasp because many are trying to put quantative measurements on them. Most martial arts (not recent fighting styles) knew that a code of conduct must be taught.
WHY?
Well now we grapple with what is the meaning of Rank.
Is it just a time paramater that some organization sets?
Should I receive more respect than you based on years of training?
The reason for the time paramater is for the student to mature, learn, and be tested mentally just as much as physically.
(I heard once somewhere that in the orient you are not an adult until you are 40 and boy that does seem true based on what you are seeing)
Many instructors don't know that it is the purpose of the instructor to put hurdles in front of the student where the student may quite. Hurdels that the student will not want to face. And this is mental, not physical. Any instructor can put physical requirements on a student. No matter how good a student is I can have them throwing up in a matter of minutes. That is not a challenge. Ahhh, but changing someones life, that lasts forever!
The instructor must chanllenge and test the students mental ability before promoting them.
At this I must say my instructor is a true Master.
Let me give you the most basic example: In my class, as many others, if you are late you must do 20 push-ups before you are allowed to enter class, no matter what the excuse, it's still and excuse. Late is late!
This is a mental test, not a physical test. I have had many students not show up or quite because they did not want to do 20 push-ups.
The reason this is a mental test is - Do I want to teach someone how to kill another human being that could not overcome such a simple mental task. No, and it is better for both them and me that they leave. Simple tests such as these tell you about a persons mental capabilities.
Reguardless of the physical tallent if the student is immature (of which many of you have illuded to) what does it matter if they can kick and punch.
I would venture to say that many problems are brought on by many reasons: Instructors needing to make a living - so they promote, Instructors afraid a student will quite if an instructor does not promote them. Instructors afraid to face mental issues with a student. (God knows some times its hard enough just to teach them how to punch and kick, let alone be responsible for them as a person.
God, I can teach how to kick and punch. Any instructor will tell you that that is the easy part. But you are much more than an instructor, you are a MENTOR - meaning - Insturctor, Mother, Father, Doctor, Lawyer, Shrink, Confidant...
But isn't that what it is? When you teach the student, don't they represent "YOU", the instructor?
So many who have not been mentally trained have been promoted to a high rank thinking that MA's is 100% physical. But they are black belts and not martial artists.
I feel it is a greater compliment to be called a Martial Artist rather than a black belt as that is the meaning of "DO". And I don't consider some first Dan who is strong and can beat up some people a Martal Artist.
When we talk of Moral Culture, how would you define this?
How would you teach it?
I have seen some organizations try to mandate Moral Culture by forced requirements and submission. However this was far from successful as it was only viewed as one more pain in the A$$ requirement that had to be acheived to get the belt. It is taught by example.
So back to respect which is a part of culture
What is the definition of the word?
I grabed this off Dictionary.com which is a similar version of what you would find most places:
RESPECT
- To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem.
- To avoid violation of or interference with: respect the speed limit.
- To relate or refer to; concern.
So what is DEFERENCE:
Submission or courteous yielding to the opinion, wishes, or judgment of another
_____________________________
So why would you submit or yield to the opinion, wishes or judgement of another?
When you look at definition 3 it start to bring it home more. "
To relate or refer to". I like to use the term, "with regards to...".
With regards to the color of a piece of cloth on their waste?
Related to the number of years they have practiced?
Refering to how good a fighter they are?
NO.
It is with
RESPECT to what they can or have given to me. -
KNOWLEDGE
And some times I have learned a lot by someone kicking my A$$
So respect must be earned every time you put your belt on, not by what you get, but by what you give.
Well that sounds pretty selfish doesn't it?
YES,
What are your reasons for practicing your art?
Yourself? Or so that others will respect you?
Only when you have expectations will you be disapointed.
But when you think about it, "
what they can or have given to me" is much broader than it sounds.
What they have given to you - The knowledge, the ability, the love for your art.
What they can give to you - (How do you know who can give you what?) How would you know what any person can teach you? Is there any among you that have not learned from a beginner? From an old person? From a young person?
These young pups who are insecure and need to argue "My style is better than your style" are fighting for piece of mind within themselves. Hopeing to validate what they chose as a style. Because God, wouldn't it be devestating if you chose the "wrong" style?
In this stage they have related respect in only an upward direction. They feel a need to earn respect like they did their belt.
As an example:
Perhaps I can not go 15 rounds anymore...
but I can teach you how.
Perhaps I am out of shape...
but I can teach you how to break a stack of cement with your hand
But why would I do this when your mental attitude is not correct. When you have shown me you can not controll your mind by the simplest, non physical exercise of "RESPECT"
Didn't someone say, "Don't cast your perls before swine"?
As this has delved into the more phylosophical reasons of the problem listed here this can be put in simpler terms:
Respect is not a social status to be gained.
Rank does not mean you get respect, it means you give respect.
It is the measure of the giver, not the receiver.
You will find that a true Martial Artist does not care about the respect that is given to them. They are more concerned with how they are perceived because they know that the only person you practice respect for...
is yourself.
And it's late and I'm toddlin' off to bed