The Red Tiger Shaolin Kung Fu Dialogue

[Please visit our sponsor:]

[Huker]

Much of our dojo is made up of students from my university. A couple of times each year, all of the campus clubs and organizations put together a display table and put it up in our student center. This helps each club gain members or promote or whatever it is they do. So my club president and I were handing out flyers for our dojo and we came across the Red Tiger Shaolin Kung Fu Club table. My prez went up to grab a flyer and became immersed in an enlightening discussion about aikido. I'll call my president "Prez" and the Shaolin instructor (the frontman of the table) as "Superstar". Here's how the discussion went, paraphrased, but I'll try and be as accurate as possible. Also, I'm standing off to the side watching their promo video of sparring matches involving protective gear and two people that are afraid to hit each other.

Superstar: Hey, are you interested in trying out a martial art.
Prez: Sure, I'll take a flyer.

[my prez is approaching as any interested patron would, no sarcasm or anything like that]

Superstar: Great, can I just get your name...our flyers are expensive.

[and they did look expensive]

Prez: Sure. Hey, maybe if I come out and try one of your classes you can come out and try one of ours.

[a fair trade, no?]

Superstar: Really? What is it you take?
Prez: Aikido.

[now the conversation takes a new tone]

Superstar: I don't think you want to try one of our classes.
Prez: Why not?
Superstar: Well, if I were to come to your dojo, you'd find out that your style doesn't work.

[I like to call that one the 'money line']

Prez (amazed by the infallable logic): Well, if my style didn't work, then the people who made it would be dead, and there wouldn't have been able to teach it to anyone -- so obviously it does work.
Superstar: See, we don't do any of that twirling writsts crap. We just hit the guy.

[satisfied by the conversation, my prez leaves and I follow, enlightened]

Now, there is no doubt that most people see their martial art as 'the best' or as the most useful. But, isn't this the kind of talk you would expect from a student in the art?? This guy was an instructor. That part alone is what amazed me. Also, the things he told me took me by surprise..."so aikido doesn't work"....
Makes sense.

Hope you enjoyed my story.

[Tim Gerrard]

It's just sad that someone is as narrow minded as that teaches, as they say, no such thing as a bad student... I wonder what attitude his students have? Maybe suggesting that he visit your class to show him what aikido is really like, he may have seen a bit of aikido in the past that's left him a bit confused. It has been written in several books, that aikido isn't an effective art, an opinion I feel to be written in ignorance.


Aikido is the best...
:confused:

[xuzen]

If I want to just hit some fellas, I'll take western style boxing class, no need no red tiger or black tiger shaolin style. Wonder what the "superstar's" response will be like to that one?

Boon.

[Huker]

Hah. Well said, both of you. To answer Tim's question, his students seemed to have a look that supported their instructor. As for Boon's question, I can only imagine. The sheer ignorance made me laugh, but I also pitied them all for the same reason -- as well as the idea that their instructor must be dragging them down developmentally, in some way.

The real benefits of any martial art stem from a quality instructor that tries to understand his/her students.

I just thought of an appropriate quote: "Hulk smash!!!"

[Kevin Temple]

Hooray for Jinbukan! We could bust up those Red Tigers any time. In fact, I think we should plan a communal Butt-kicking session.... wait that wouldn't be very Aiki of us would it.

[taras]

http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5839

[skyetide]

Baa! Superstar just loves power. IMO it is silly to discuss which art is superior. It depends on what the individual does with each art. I think some people are black belt in rank only…not in mindset. :confused: There is discord when one focuses on power and defeating others rather than harmony and prevention of violence. They become power mongers rather than balanced people at peace with themselves.

Superstar needs to eat some humble pie. Maybe that would help him shut his mouth and open his mind. :D How rude and disrespectful to turn down an invitation for that reason! *shakes head* Oh well. His loss. :rolleyes:

[bkedelen]

Aikido isnt working if we care this much about what that guy said.

[ed3r]

nice point Ben.

[Tim Gerrard]

Aikido isnt working if we care this much about what that guy said.

OH MY GOD! AIKIDO DOESN'T WORK?!?

AAAARRGGGGHHHH!!!!

:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Taliesin]

I'm a simple soul who gets easily confused but couldn't the whole scenario be put in much simpler terms

eg.

RTSKF: Aikido doesn't work!!

AI: Have you done an Aikido training?

RTSKF: No

AI: Oh!

[bryce_montgomery]

Yeah...*very sarcastically* I can see how this kung fu guy could say Aikido doesn't work...seeing as they can walk on tree limbs and fly!...:D

I mean...I'd trust a guy that's style could do that!...

Bryce

[Huker]

If he thinks his Shaolin sword can defeat me, I'll let him try my Wu Dan style!!

[JessePasley]

Simple: challenge match. At his school, a teahouse, or other suitable Shaw Bros. movie set.

[stuartjvnorton]

Simple: challenge match. At his school, a teahouse, or other suitable Shaw Bros. movie set.


...or behind the bike sheds after school. ;-)