do you tell people that you do martial arts

shotokan-ste · Yellow Belt

i was catching up with an old friend of mine he studied wing chun many years ago,anyway i was telling him about my last year learning shotokan karate,and it came you that he says that it isnt the way to tell people that you learn a martial art and that you should keep it hidden from people,what do you guys and girls think(ps i dont mean telling people in a boastful way either)
ok 2nd dilema related somewhat to the first question im due to go to a fancy dress party in september and while searching for an outfit ive seen a really nice black ninja outfit from blitz(its on their website) £30 is amazing value for something that looks so good,i dont what people to think im showing off by wearning a ninja suit because i do karate,what are your thoughts,i think im worrying over niothing

StrangeBacon · Orange Belt

I dont tell certain people, like i'll try to explain away alot of my bruises, mainly because people give me weird looks thinking i get enjoyment out of being hurt, to a certain extent i do, but because im always improving because of it, i see it as character building and a nessessary thing in martial arts.

I'll tell friends and people who bring it up in conversation since they seem genuinely interested but usually back off alot of the in depth details and save those for closer friends and family

Regarding the ninja costume, go for it i'd have jumped at the chance to go to a fancy dress as a ninja, best i could do was a pirate when i was 16

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Nevinyrral · Blue Belt

I sometimes tell people, mostly my friend, because I try to make them start training karate too. I'd be nice to have all my friends do karate:) I tell them it's fun, and they can make new friends there, but as for now, no one got recruited xD
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GeoGiant · Brown Belt

I used to keep my training to myself and close friends but injuries forced me to provide an explanation to other friends and co-workers.

After i started to talk about training I noticed that most people has zero interest in discussing MAs.

StrangeBacon · Orange Belt

Rateh · Red Belt

I've always been very open about my training. When people ask what are you doing over the weekend, etc, I just tell them. And I tend to practice at work when I think I'm alone and sometimes people catch me. :p

Also, it impacts my work schedule. People like to know why I need Saturday off (for a test). Or why I can't work past 2:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays (because I teach those days). Etc...

Now that I've started a business teaching martial arts (haven't started a school, I just teach at various locations) I want people to know that I train, and that I teach. The more people that know, the more students I will get.
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Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start. - Nido Qubein

Jeffrey · Purple Belt

Soheir · Orange Belt

I tell if it has been asked. Rather not, because a lot of people seem to have a certain image about karate.

I think they have no idea what it's all about

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That's why I feel like it's almost impossible to explane someone the art right, even if they really are interested

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ps1 · Black Belt

All my friends know I train. Of course, all my friends also train

I never told anyone who didn't specifically ask about it. However, it's pretty much the only hobby I have, and I've done it for 25 years. So when I'm talking to people about what I do for fun...it usually comes up.

Now that I'm starting my own school, I tell people alot more. Afterall, word of mouth is the fastest way to let people know about the school.
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"It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenius."

brickshooter · Green Belt

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