Rude Sensai sets Poor Example

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[Unregistered]

As a student only beginning in Aikido I have visited many dojos. I have always looked for a style and setting I feel comfortable with before committing to serious training in any martial art. In one Dojo however, the most senior sensei appears to have learned little or nothing of humility, despite his high ranking in Aikido. His grunting at me (forms of communication I think) to get out of the way or move, are disrespectful. He has not bothered to find out my name or even say excuse me when he barges past (off the mat).
He seems filled with negetive energy and insecurity. You know the type. He even wears camo fatigues in civilian life - looks a bit like Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver crossed with Rodney Dangerfield, except bald.
How is a man like this, negative, rude, unwise, supposed to be respected?
His behaviour can only reflects badly on Aikido.

Oh, and while I'm here, if you are reading this Sensei...when displaying your personal Katana in the dojo you may decide to choose to display them with the Tsuka arranged to the left for a short while, in peaceful position. This might help you readjust your rather poor state of mind.

Happily I have now found another Dojo and he just lost an other wise dedicated student.

[Seth Jackson]

good riddance to him
glad you found a better dojo :)

/shrug

[L. Camejo]

Reminds me of a saying-

"Rank is something you wear

Respect is something you earn"

Well done on finding someplace to your liking.

Happy training.

Gambatte

[ernie r. juico]

wow. i bet that sensei should learn a thing or two about humility

[markwalsh]

What country are you in?

[Hagen Seibert]

I think you have very high expectations about how a sensei should behave.
In general I mean. (Not talking about this specific rude teacher)

I´m teaching Iaido along with Aikido, and I would not bother too much about tsuka left or right.
Although I wouldn´t display my sword in the dojo either.
Nevertheless if a student came up to me to point out that I need to place the tsuka to the left,
I´d say sorry mate, I´m not here to meet your standards.
If you don´t like it, you´re free to leave.

Ok, he´s been unfriendly to you, and that´s why you´re angry with him.
But also you seem to be angry because this man didn´t meet your personal and particular expectations.
Example: Is it really up to you to judge the clothes he´s wearing ?

[Hagen Seibert]

I´d like to add that you certainly made a good decision by finding another dojo.

[Doka]

Wow! What kind of dojo is this? If it is large then you can understand him not knowing your name, but the grunting and lack of "excuse me" is highly ignorant.

Glad to hear you found somewhere else. Somewhere good!

[Largo]

I'm glad you found a new place, but I don't see the need to attack that teacher. As far as the placement of the sword goes, it varies style to style and dojo to dojo. My sensei has his placed to the right, and he is one of the most balanced people I've ever met. I don't think changing a tsuka postion would have that much effect on someone's personality, but who knows?

[otto]

I agree with Mr.Mihalik...

I dont see the need for the bashing , nor the point of your post here...
The reason to participate on communities such as these , is to help and be helped , not to anonymously attack anybody , so...unless you want to set a warning flag about a potential dangerous teacher/dojo so future students can avoid it , just pust your bad experience behind and keep going..(gambatte?).

Yours...

[Chris Birke]

Conversely, has anyone ever studied under a teacher they didnt really like or respect, simply because there was no one else to study under? I've done that at times. An annoying, but often surprisingly educational expirence for me.

[gasman]

It usually takes two to tango...