Protocol mishap or fashion faux pas?
- Thread starter shesulsa
- Start date
granfire
Sr. Grandmaster
I would not go out and eat in one, but mostly because I am sure I'd spill something on it that leaves stains.
I have gone to the store in full uniform once....the odd stares are not something I care to repeat tho.
The mat shoes would bother me more.
had a hard time trying to explain to one person why it is rather nasty when somebody walks around barefoot all day then comes to the dojang and has those nasty feet on the mat where the rest of us has to work out. Shoes are every bit as bad...
Then again I was raised that gym shoes where for the gym only, if you wore them on the street you had to scrub the soles before entering the gym, and I do not mean on the welcome mat either!
Out kids were often seen at the stores before or after class. The school had limited changing facilities so many came already in uniform, and then of course some parents had to fit in some errands.
But walking around with coach purses and BB club embroidered across the bum...
that reeks of showing off.
I have gone to the store in full uniform once....the odd stares are not something I care to repeat tho.
The mat shoes would bother me more.
had a hard time trying to explain to one person why it is rather nasty when somebody walks around barefoot all day then comes to the dojang and has those nasty feet on the mat where the rest of us has to work out. Shoes are every bit as bad...
Then again I was raised that gym shoes where for the gym only, if you wore them on the street you had to scrub the soles before entering the gym, and I do not mean on the welcome mat either!
Out kids were often seen at the stores before or after class. The school had limited changing facilities so many came already in uniform, and then of course some parents had to fit in some errands.
But walking around with coach purses and BB club embroidered across the bum...
that reeks of showing off.
bugatabugata
Orange Belt
I usually wear the dobok to and from practice, because changing at the school is a hassle -- there's one small unisex bathroom, so going home to shower/change is the most convenient option. Yesterday had to pick up a couple of quick groceries on the way back and put a heavy winter jacket I had in the car over my uniform (even though it was in the mid 80s). It just feels awkward walking around in public in a dobok. I believe it's supposed to symbolize purity, so probably not the best outfit for picking up dogfood at the market/grabbing a quick burger...kwim?
bugatabugata
Orange Belt
But walking around with coach purses and BB club embroidered across the bum...
that reeks of showing off.
Word!
We go to the park and train, even had classes out in the parking lot of the dojo. Different surfaces to train on are beneficial for balance and keeping your footing while moving around. Other then that it is frowned on, and in poor taste, to wear your gi outside of the dojo, as taught to me by my sensei.
I also don't condone it.
I also don't condone it.
Kinghercules
Blue Belt
LOL!!
All it takes is one time for them to run into a brawler.
I bet you they wont were it no more.
%-}
All it takes is one time for them to run into a brawler.
I bet you they wont were it no more.
%-}
Kinghercules
Blue Belt
...That actually hits a nail into My personal sense of humor. I suspect if I witnessed this, I would be crippled on the ground in laughter, and may require a mild sedative
Much as I like small children I cannot eat a whole one, seeing a gang of arrogant little brats is annoying at any time dressed in anything even in pants ie underwear lol!
For those who cite no locker room, or changing facility as an explanation for wearing their uniform while shopping or the like...
Is there some reason you can't wear a t-shirt or sweat shirt (appropriate to the weather), and then put the uniform top and belt on when you arrive? Then take it off again when you leave? Most women I know wear a t-shirt under the top anyway; so do many men. But even if you're not going to wear one underneath, it's easy to take it off and put the top on I'd think.
(By the way -- my club trains in a community center, and depending on the activities may only have a single restroom facility available. Most of us do something like I've described.)
Is there some reason you can't wear a t-shirt or sweat shirt (appropriate to the weather), and then put the uniform top and belt on when you arrive? Then take it off again when you leave? Most women I know wear a t-shirt under the top anyway; so do many men. But even if you're not going to wear one underneath, it's easy to take it off and put the top on I'd think.
(By the way -- my club trains in a community center, and depending on the activities may only have a single restroom facility available. Most of us do something like I've described.)
OP
OP
He's not happy with me because I called him out on some questions of questionable motives because I care about the well-being of the board. If you think his post breaks the rules, please RTM, Legionary. Otherwise we debase ourselves.
I really want to give the benefit of the doubt here and really want to know if TKDin are exempt from this. I wonder what high-ranking Korean masters would think or have to say.
OP
OP
Ah. Well here, in the USA (and host country for the forum) we call underwear PANTIES ... you know, as in "little pants." What do you call the bottoms then? Slacks? Bottoms? I thought you all called underwear "knickers?" *giggle*
REALLY? Fascinating. And you are also with the Kodokan? My former teacher was with the Kodokan and he was responsible for teaching me much of my protocol. For clarity, which TKD federations are under the Kukkiwon? WTF? ITF? USTF?
Thanks.
ralphmcpherson
Senior Master
well I can assure you that our GM would be livid if he saw one of his students parading around in their uniform outside the dojang. It seems to me its the big commercial clubs where it happens. If I go shopping on a saturday morning I could bet my house I will see heaps of kiids, and some adults, parading around the shops in their uniforms (covered in signage, flags, club names etc). It does seem to be prodominantly a tkd thing as I dont see nearly as many from other arts doing it.
The Kukkiwon is most clearly linked with WTF although the WTF is only a sport governing body and not a Taekwondo federation. ITF is, I guess, parallel to the Kukkiwon and not associated with KKW. USTF I have no idea, I live in Canada, but I believe they are an American branch of the WTF, that is to say a sport body like Taekwondo Canada.
As far as Judo goes, the rule I was taught was not to wear the Gi anywhere but back and forth to the Dojo. As I say this I picture 7 of us in the pan of a Ford pickup in France all wearing our Gi's on the way to a tournament.
general consensus among Judo players I know seems to be that wearing the Gi back and forth is acceptable but lunch, errands etc. is not.
Kinghercules
Blue Belt
Walk around in full uniforms.
Just from my experience......the school I worked at was in a affluent area of MD and the instructors use to wear the uniforms all the time out in public.
I'm having a nightmare ... no, actually I'm awake and my imagination is in overdrive. Bill Mattocks, Seasoned, Elder and a few of the others over there running about in their panties. The guys in Aus wear undies or jocks.
Will someone please help me off the floor? I seem to have lost my strength. :lfao:
:grins: I can't believe that I'm stepping in to provide international 'translation' on this one
.Over here in Blighty, "pants" are indeed undergarments and the term can be applied to both male and female items. "Knickers" is only used for female undergarments and, in proper usage, refers to the more lacy and flamboyant styles as it is a contraction of "French knickers". An alternative term for male undergarments is "grippers" but that only applies to the tighter briefs rather than the looser jockey short type.
What American English terms "pants" are "trousers" in the true English
.As an aside, "pants" is also a colloquial term for "rubbish" or "substandard"
.StudentCarl
3rd Black Belt
I think the OP's situation is just an example of what those people thought was okay where they were...could be dangerously clueless or could be a daily occurance--we can't tell.
Wearing a martial art uniform could invite trouble in some places because to some people it would invite challenge, but where I live it's common to see people in uniforms for a variety of sports--soccer and baseball players come to mind. People in biking clothing is not uncommon, as there are road routes nearby. I do agree with the basic value that it is appropriate not to advertise that one trains in skills of violence, but I don't think that is the purpose of most Taekwondoin where I am.
Although I wear my uniform the 12 blocks from my home to the dojang when driving, and sometimes stop at the local grocery on the way home, I never wear my belt. I've seen the same at tournaments; people ducking out to lunch in their doboks, usually without belts on. If I walk or ride my bike, I carry my uniform and belt in a pack.
If I was in any place other than home/local dojang or the immediate vicinity of a tournament, I would change on site. I prefer not to share my business with strangers.
Wearing a martial art uniform could invite trouble in some places because to some people it would invite challenge, but where I live it's common to see people in uniforms for a variety of sports--soccer and baseball players come to mind. People in biking clothing is not uncommon, as there are road routes nearby. I do agree with the basic value that it is appropriate not to advertise that one trains in skills of violence, but I don't think that is the purpose of most Taekwondoin where I am.
Although I wear my uniform the 12 blocks from my home to the dojang when driving, and sometimes stop at the local grocery on the way home, I never wear my belt. I've seen the same at tournaments; people ducking out to lunch in their doboks, usually without belts on. If I walk or ride my bike, I carry my uniform and belt in a pack.
If I was in any place other than home/local dojang or the immediate vicinity of a tournament, I would change on site. I prefer not to share my business with strangers.
I do think that it is important not to get too 'precious' about the wearing of uniforms out in public. There are practical and social factors that come into play, most certainly, the most obvious, as has been mentioned by some earlier, being that to wear your kit out in a public place can invite unwanted attention.
At the end of the day, the garb we wear to practise our arts is simply the ordinary clothes of the culture and the period from which the art came. There is nothing mystical or ethical about wearing them.
At the end of the day, the garb we wear to practise our arts is simply the ordinary clothes of the culture and the period from which the art came. There is nothing mystical or ethical about wearing them.
