TKD/Martial Arts Values?

**oldman34** · Posted On: 2/11/2007 4:51pm

It has become a bone of contention around here, with some of us that TKD has core values that as TKDoist we MUST adhere too.

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self Control
Indominable Spirit.

I find that most TKD schools are hypocrites when it comes to their tenets.

I find it hypocritical that many TKD schools spout that they live by these tenets, yet they gouge the hell out of their students at every turn.

Many BB's feel that because they have a BB or a higher rank than you the they AUTOMATICALLY deserve your adoration and respect.

I believe the opposite of this. I feel that respect is EARNED by the belt wearer and not just given out because they are wearing a Black piece of cloth around their waist.

The tenets of TKD, as I have experienced them with MANY TKD schools.

Courtesy- Be nice to the customers until they sign a Black Belt Club Contract

Integrity- Make sure that you pay your Benz payements promptly

Perseverance- Never stop looking for ways to add costs to your schools curriculum

Self Control- refraining from just reaching into their pocket and taking their money. Make them hand it to you.

Indominable Spirit- No matter how many times someone tells you, "Why is testing fees going up?" continue to raise them anyway.

**itf_chic** · Posted On: 2/12/2007 2:34pm

I agree with that. Getting respect seems to be more important to other BB's than just earning it. Beacause in that matter you don't just earn their respect but their trust as well and once that's gone it's hard to get back, i think.

**Abe Frohman** · Posted On: 2/13/2007 1:25am

I don't see it and have never associated any core value other than beating on people with TKD. I figured this was pretty much limited to the kids classes where they advertise to parents all that baloney about discipline, respect, and so forth. Any attempt to add some sort of value system to adult classes to me would seem like filler bullshit to hide inadequacies in training or to attract those not interested in fighting and looking to LARP.

Why do martial arts have to have values? Why can't they just be about fighting? If I want deeper meaning I frankly would rather go find a philosophy class.

I suppose these codes or tenets or whatever are as much marketing as anything else.

**oldman34** · Posted On: 2/13/2007 5:37am

Originally Posted by Abe Frohman

I don't see it and have never associated any core value other than beating on people with TKD. I figured this was pretty much limited to the kids classes where they advertise to parents all that baloney about discipline, respect, and so forth. Any attempt to add some sort of value system to adult classes to me would seem like filler bullshit to hide inadequacies in training or to attract those not interested in fighting and looking to LARP.

It isnt emphasised as much in the adult classes, but it is still there. Whenever I take a TKD guy to task, then they try to appeal to my TKD values. It saddens me.

Originally Posted by Abe Frohman

Why do martial arts have to have values? Why can't they just be about fighting? If I want deeper meaning I frankly would rather go find a philosophy class.

I suppose these codes or tenets or whatever are as much marketing as anything else.

Agreed and Agreed.

**MaverickZ** · Posted On: 2/13/2007 8:20am

I don't need martial arts to tell me to be a good person. Leave the pseudo-philosophy at the door. And they aren't TKD values, they are Confucian values that were peddled to Westerners because they wanted the "Asian flavor".

**FickleFingerOfFate** · Posted On: 2/13/2007 11:57am

When I joined the school I'm in now, I was told that everyone that came in was treated with a measure of respect.

Weather or not it lasted beyond the fist visit was a function of the way you conduct yourself.

Fucktards will always be fucktards, once they show their colors, show them your back!

**oldman34** · Posted On: 2/13/2007 4:44pm

Originally Posted by MaverickZ

I don't need martial arts to tell me to be a good person. Leave the pseudo-philosophy at the door. And they aren't TKD values, they are Confucian values that were peddled to Westerners because they wanted the "Asian flavor".

I started this thread, because someone was trying to appeal to my MA values in another thread.

I hate that ****.

**Art** · Posted On: 2/13/2007 5:09pm

Tenants are tenants and I always take them with a grain of salt, and I didn't have to do TKD to learn them. I agree that having someone try to appeal to your good sense using the tenants are basically fucktwats.

My MA values are punch or get punched. My life values were taught to me by my parents. Appeal to that.