chenyaolong wrote:C.J.W. wrote:Andy_S wrote:SNIP
This type of passive-aggressive challenges are pretty common in Taiwan too
SNIP
I see the "aggressive" I don't see the "passive."
The actual challenges are aggressive for sure; the "passive" part I was referring to is how those challengers would often act nice and friendly at first to sort of coax you into crossing hands with them, when in fact all they are interested in is to knock your arse on the ground and stroke their egos -- the same kind of stuff nicklinjm and chenyaolong have also mentioned.
Although rather than knocking your arse to the ground, it's more they make you play their game, then they can easily beat you within their own rule set. I think a fair way would be to go one round playing their game, then another round your own game. But they would never agree to do something out their own comfort zone.
not really true IME. also wouldnt it seem strange that your watching something and they ask you if you want to try it, ie "their game" as you put it.
I dont quite get it, of course they wont challenge you directly. If one does not understand this I would question the amount of time they spent in China.
One can always just smile and tell them no or square off with them directly....one is in their culture, it can be dangerous in the parks if one does not understand the underling rules. More so if your a laowai who seems to have some skill.
Having said this, what I have found is that if ones skill is good and within their understanding of taiji, it gets respect even if one does not do well. Its understood that
the person at least understands what its about and what its not. "a gen comment"
ph hands allows one not to be inured and test a direct skill. the way to gauge it is to feel if how it felt.
If if felt like anything else one was used to dealing with, then it was.
IMO, not much point..to carry on with it, for what to win at skill testing for a style that
that one doesn't practice?
It should feel quite different, and distinct depending on skill
then one can engage, and more often then not be invited to try different things ie "your game" to allow one to see and feel the differences
much has been said about understanding the "ground game" this is also kind of the same in that the "skill" is quite different
something that most will not have felt or had to deal with.
my classmate, while in the US would take on anyone allowing them to do pretty much as they wished. Kind of a mistake for many unless they understood the nature of intention, empty and full. Kinda funny at times.
Students who witnessed it told me about how a big, buffed-out, experienced martial artist pulled up to challenge him. Spontaneous encounters are Zhao’s specialty. He is always ready. There is no perceptible moment when he appears to shift his consciousness or change his stature.
This encounter ended with him looking up at Zhao from the ground, having to be convinced of the potential danger and utter futility of coming back up for another attack. None of this is hyperbole. His speed and control is unnerving.
Zhao, used to regard all people he didnt know as challenges, a bit unfair to those thinking it was just ph, of course he would also tell them to do what they wanted to do.
it didnt matter much.
But they would never agree to do something out their own comfort zone
let me understand this, you ask and agree to their rule set and then expect them to adopt yours when you dont do well?
seems like their not the ones asking to play.
as a young GI in Korea, my soldiers where watching some ROK soldiers play Ssireum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ssireumthey laughed at it, I told them they should try it. each did and got tossed by the much smaller ROK soldiers.
My guys knowing I practiced CMA asked me to try, at first I refused understanding he skill level the ROKs had. not really interested in it.
The ROKs asked me to try, I did and manged to throw one out 1 time out of 3....not to bad for playing "their game" as many say.
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 7:55 pm