Gettting Called Sensei
 

Hi folks,

So, to try to look at this "calling oneself/others 'sensei'" thing from a different angle...

For those of you who teach classes on a regular basis:

1) What do you like being called on the mat?

2) What do you like being called off the mat?

3) What do you end up being called on the mat?

4) What do you end up being called off the mat?

-- Jun

Hi Jun,

I have my own dojo, but it is verrrrry small, but I have been teaching for years at another dojo as an assistant instructor, so this may be a less helpful than what others have experienced, but.....

1) on the mat, sensei

2) off the mat, Rachel

3) on the mat, sensei

4) off the mat, Rachel

hope that helps,

Rachel

1) Kev/Kevin

2) Kev

3) Kev/Kevin

4) Kev

1. Ian,

2. Ian,

3. Ian/sensei (if they don't know me)

4. Ian/unprintable

I have two schools and am in the process of opening number 3.


1)on the mat, Sensei

2)off the mat, Mike or Elle (nickname)

3)on the mat, Sensei

4)off the mat, Sensei or Elle/Mike

Well, it depends :rolleyes:

#1 - Sensei

#2 - kids call me sensei or Mr. Sharpe. Adults call me by my first name, "Lt", or "sir" depending on whether I'm higher in rank than them or they are higher in rank than I, in which case I refer to them as "sir".

#3 - same as #1

#4 - same as #2

Being in the military has streamlined what students call me on/off the mat.

Re: Gettting Called Sensei
 

'Chuck.'

If students MUST be formal, 'sensei' ...
'Chuck'
'Chuck'
'Hey you ...'

Seriously. I don't run a very formal class. If we do play formal for some reason, with all the frills and whistles, then 'sensei' is fine. I don't like it overused and don't really feel comfortable with it.

Of course, right now, it's only Emily and I and she occasionally slips and calls me "Sweetie" ...

Chuck

Re: Gettting Called Sensei
 

1) Sensei/Larry

2) Larry

3)Sensei/Sir/Larry

4)Sensei/Sir/Larry

The Sir thing comes from the brainwashing you get in Caribbean schools where you call a teacher sir, and I teach at a University.

L.C.:ai::ki:

Re: Gettting Called Sensei
 

Cough, just don't call me late for dinner, cough. Sorry, couldn't resist... :)
As an assistant instructor leading the class, we bow in and out with Sensei ni rei, but other than that it doesn't really matter.
Ron. I have some aquaintences who know I train who tried calling me sensei...I put a quick stop to that.
same as number 1
Any number of things, but mostly Ron.

Ron Tisdale

1) Hanna

2) Hanna

3) Hanna

4) Hanna

Using surnames everywhere is a Swedish habit, sort of.

Re: Gettting Called Sensei
 

Hello Jun

My Sensei has formal classes and likes his assistant instructors to be referred to Sensei/Sempai when they are instructing. The protocol is if Sensei is teaching and yudnasha are assisting in the teaching, then they are referred to as Sempai. If its one of the classes that the Assistant Instructors is teaching and Sensei is not present, then the Assistant Instructor is referred to as Sensei.

Off the mat and outside of class times, we are all on a first name basis.

As everybody already understood, that should have been "using first names everywhere". Sorry.

Whenever we train, no matter who is teaching, that person is called "Sensei". This ends as soon as we are off the mat.

One thing I notice is that when the teaching individual is referred to by his/her first name, there is a lot more chatter and "helpful assistance" by others on the mat. I think the label sets the tone for a learning experience rather than a social time.

Hi all.

The dojo I train at is a 'first name' dojo too. We're pretty informal about some things, and thats one of them. :)

Sean

x

Re: Gettting Called Sensei
 

Sensei
Phil, Phillip, no names involving vulgar profanity.
Sensei
Phil, Phillip, names involving vulgar profanity. ;)

Off-the-mat time is an exercise in respecting an individual not by name, title, or accomplishments, but rather respecting on basis that the person is who s/he is.

*Phil

Re: Gettting Called Sensei
 

So, to try to look at this "calling oneself/others 'sensei'" thing from a different angle...

For those of you who teach classes on a regular basis:

1) What do you like being called on the mat?

Sensei only if I am teaching class and that's so students have a good polite habit if they visit other dojos or go to seminars.

2) What do you like being called off the mat?

Craig

3) What do you end up being called on the mat?

Sensei usually

4) What do you end up being called off the mat?

Craig or Sensei or Sir (this is Texas) or hey

Craig