"So what's the difference between Brazilian and 'Normal'?"

[Asriel]

I explain the advantages of 'combat sports' over 'Martial Arts' and tell them that their Krotty/Wing Chun etc would be useless against someone attempting to impose their will upon them

[Lebell]

Repeatedly glancing away/looking at my watch or phone, smiling arrogantly, and numerous sarcastic 'oh yeahs' usually get the point across. Outright laughing is pretty good too.

dont forget the teasing: oh really?

[Rene "Zendokan" Gysenbergs]

Ever heard this before?

You know the scene, you meet some friends of a friend whilst out playing pool at the nearest pub and the question crops up, "So are you in any clubs or play sport at all?". Now I should really have learnt from experience to just say, "oh a little Judo.", but foolishly BJJ always get's a mention to people that have no idea what it is.

Then the inevitable question is asked...

"So uh, what's the difference between Brazilian and 'normal'?"

Normally I end up having to explain differing training methods, go on to aliveness in training and by this point their eyes have glazed over and they respond with,

"so what would you do if I did a flying kick into you?"

*facepalm*

So what do you guys think? any ways you've succeeded or failed miserably at explaining Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to a person that thinks Kata will make you an 'Ultimate Battle Warrior'?

You're making your explaination too complicated.

When the friends know nothing about MA, I use this method:

Friend: What do you train?
Me: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Friend: What's that?
Me: Do you know Judo? (Everybody knows Judo)
Friend: Yes
Me: You know that Judo has groundfight?
Friend: Yes
Me: Well, that's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

That's more than enough explaination for a non MAist. And I can get on with what I was doing before.

If you try to explain BJJ with all it's finesse to non MAists, it will can easely take an hour and even then they won't get it.

[jnp]

I tell them it's wrestling that incorporates jointlocks and chokes.

Even better, assuming you have enough sense to refrain from discussing martial arts with strangers, tell your friends not to bring the subject up either.

[Bustardo]

I tell them it's wrestling that incorporates jointlocks and chokes.

That's what I say if/when I'm asked. It's usually more than enough information. Usually if they're interested in MA I get to hear about how they trained 'INSERT-KARATE-STYLE-NAME' here and would destroy any of 'those MMA' guys. I just agree with them to shut them up.

[Lebell]

Even better, assuming you have enough sense to refrain from discussing martial arts with strangers, tell your friends not to bring the subject up either.

JACKPOT!!!

this is by far the best solution!

[MrBadGuy]

I tell them it's wrestling that incorporates jointlocks and chokes.

While this may sometimes work, my co-workers associate "wrestling" with WWF stuff. They all think I go out and do wrassling shows when I say I'm doing a tournament.

[Lebell]

While this may sometimes work, my co-workers associate "wrestling" with WWF stuff. They all think I go out and do wrassling shows when I say I'm doing a tournament.

i just LOL-ed picturing your avatar guy in combination with a wwf show.

you know hard gay?
the japanese tv star?
go google him, there are english subtitles, very vierd humor.

[The Twitcher]

I explain the advantages of 'combat sports' over 'Martial Arts' and tell them that their Krotty/Wing Chun etc would be useless against someone attempting to impose their will upon them

This makes no sense to anyone with an IQ over 30.

[Cy Q. Faunce]

I tell them I practice Snew.

"What's 'Snew'?" they ask.

"Aw, nothin'. What's Snew with you! HAW HAW HAW!"

Then we all get to find out who has the best fighting technique.