Re: Interweb Challenges!
Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:58 pm
Not being a keyboard warrior (or one in real life) I've managed to avoid challenges. I've also learned that there can also be negatives to 'calling someone out'.
I recall playing push hands a few years ago with someone who claimed to be a fighter. I had my palm on his elbow and had it in a position where his bent arm across his body such that the inside of his elbow was in front of his adam’s apple (if you can visualize it). He said to me (indicating the arm I had covered) “Well, I can punch you.” In my mind I screamed “No frikkin’ way!” but I tried to be diplomatic and said “I can’t see how that would work.” He replied “Well, I’m very fast.”
Trying to keep this in the realm of debate I went on to say that I couldn’t see how he would be able to move his whole arm into position where he could punch me before I could redirect him with the palm I had on his elbow. He repeated how fast he was. Foolishly (and with more than a bit of pride and assurance in my position and skill) I indicated that I’d be willing to risk the punch to see this take place. He said that he didn’t want to hurt me. I assured him that I was willing to get hurt to see this take place.
He took a deep breath and half closed his eyes… then with a huge burst of energy he threw his whole body into the punch, launching himself away from the palm I had cupping his elbow. He went one direction and his glasses when another. When he recovered from stumbling back, he was enraged and went into a full combat stance.
I instantly realized my error and profusely apologized while carefully collecting his glasses and offering them back to him in a penitent beggar’s stance. His anger was slow to cool, and I lost the opportunity to keep playing and to play with him in the future.
Waking a sleeper gently is (in my opinion) the kinder method. A lesson I have kept in mind when meeting new folks.
I recall playing push hands a few years ago with someone who claimed to be a fighter. I had my palm on his elbow and had it in a position where his bent arm across his body such that the inside of his elbow was in front of his adam’s apple (if you can visualize it). He said to me (indicating the arm I had covered) “Well, I can punch you.” In my mind I screamed “No frikkin’ way!” but I tried to be diplomatic and said “I can’t see how that would work.” He replied “Well, I’m very fast.”
Trying to keep this in the realm of debate I went on to say that I couldn’t see how he would be able to move his whole arm into position where he could punch me before I could redirect him with the palm I had on his elbow. He repeated how fast he was. Foolishly (and with more than a bit of pride and assurance in my position and skill) I indicated that I’d be willing to risk the punch to see this take place. He said that he didn’t want to hurt me. I assured him that I was willing to get hurt to see this take place.
He took a deep breath and half closed his eyes… then with a huge burst of energy he threw his whole body into the punch, launching himself away from the palm I had cupping his elbow. He went one direction and his glasses when another. When he recovered from stumbling back, he was enraged and went into a full combat stance.
I instantly realized my error and profusely apologized while carefully collecting his glasses and offering them back to him in a penitent beggar’s stance. His anger was slow to cool, and I lost the opportunity to keep playing and to play with him in the future.
Waking a sleeper gently is (in my opinion) the kinder method. A lesson I have kept in mind when meeting new folks.