Invitation to see my would be mugger's knife!

[StanLee]

So it was like any normal Sunday evening, peel myself out of bed and make my way to training.

(Ok that wasn't true, I'd been shopping down Oxford Street during the day and there was already an air of uneasiness and tension on a Sunday morning in London).

Anyway, as I walked into a neighbourhood that mainly consists of couples, young families and arty types; just off a side street I noticed two young guys (I won't say what race)get off a bus and walking towards the direction I'm going in.

I think nothing of it. The pair of them are now behind me and the one with dreadlocks and a hood over his head calls something out. I thought he was calling someone else, so I carry on walking.

They now walk next to me and the guy in dreads ask me for the time in an aggressive and quite manner. I peep at my watch and tell him. He then asks again as if he didn't hear it.

I say it louder, he asks again, I say it again.

He then ask what my problem is and I tell him I have none and I on my way to somewhere. This carrys on until I have to cross the road where I stop to hear what he has to say. At this point the hairs on my neck are tingling (spider sense?:D )

I can't quite remember what the conversation was but he puts his hand on my shoulder, I promptly remove it. He then puts his hands in pocket and says lets take this round the corner and sort it out. I say no thank you. He says it again and that he'll show me his knife. I say no and just before he turns to leave he says "you know kung fu or something".

The ironic thing is that I was about to take my shinken into training that evening, and I may have gone round the corner with him to compare blade lengths!

I must read the nononsense self defence site again.

Learning points from this encounter:

1. Don't give the time to anyone who looks slightly dubious
2. Try to look at them slightly more in their eyes. I think one of their tactics is to get in close so you feel uncomfortable and look else where.
3. See 2. don't let them get that close.
4. Sen-no-sen? Take the initiative and attack first?
5. Take shinken to every practice!:D :D :D

What are your comments?

[kage110]

Treat it as a wake-up call and you will do well out of the experience. I would recommend Peter Consterdine's 'Streetwise' book as well as the Marc MacYoung's website.

Lucky escape, pal!

Keep safe...

[Ade]

Dear Stan

The greatest self defence tools known to man are your legs.
Next time please use them and run away.
It takes just over 1 1/4" of blade penetration to create a lethal wound.
One mistake, by either side, that's it.
I know, I've seen it, and every time I hear the same thing over and over "I didn't mean it, it was just a mistake."
The mistake is confusing martial arts training with reality.
One is done with control and dojo rules.
The other has neither.
And if you're ever that close to somebody, in similar circumstances again, that puts their hand in their pocket, hit them and then run.

Ade

PS In England and Wales, if you'd had your shinken with you, uncased and readily available for use, you could be arrested for possesion of an offensive weapon. If you said that it was your intent to use it on an attacker, if they pulled a knife on you, then you could possibly even be charged with intent to committ GBH.

ref.

Code for Crown Prosecutors - Considerations
As a general rule, subject to the sufficiency of evidence, it is not in the public interest for persons to go about armed with offensive weapons. This applies even though they may believe they may possibly be attacked. A prosecution will thus normally be in the public interest, even where the offender is vulnerable.
The Law
Section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 prohibits the possession in any public place of an offensive weapon without lawful authority or excuse.
Definition of an offensive weapon.
'Offensive weapon' is defined as any article made or adapted for use to causing injury to the person, or intended by the person having it with him for such use.
The courts have been reluctant to find many weapons as falling within the first limb of the definition and reliance should usually be placed upon the second. On that basis it must be shown that the defendant intended to use the article for causing injury.
Lord Lane, in (R.v. Simpson (C), 78 Cr.App.R.115), identified three categories of offensive weapons: those made for causing injury to the person, i.e. offensive per se; those adapted for such a purpose; and those not so made or adapted, but carried with the intention of causing injury to the person.
In the first two categories, the prosecution do not have to prove that the defendant had the weapon with him or her for the purpose of inflicting injury: if the jury are sure that the weapon is offensive per se, the defendant will only be acquitted if he or she establishes lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
Offensive Per Se
For the caselaw on instances of weapons considered to be offensive per se (Archbold 24-116).
Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 prohibits the possession in a public place of any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed, (including a folding pocketknife if the cutting edge of its blade exceeds 7.62cm/3 inches). (Archbold, 24.125)
Both offences under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 and section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 are triable either-way. The offence of having an offensive weapon carries a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment on indictment. Having a bladed article carries two years imprisonment on indictment.

Grievous Bodily Harm Or Unlawful Wounding
It is an offence to unlawfully and maliciously cause or inflict grievous bodily harm (e.g. broken bones, cut of the skin). Life imprisonment maximum sentence.

[monkeyboy_ssj]

Running means you will be chased, been there. these people are so bold that they will chase you.

Also if you are carring weapons and the police stop you, if you are going to practice and prove this then they will tell you to be carful and leave you alone.

It just causes waisted police time and they are general tuned in people and it would just cause them more paperwork.

I think Stan did it very well, If you are trained then don't act as if anything is wrong. They generally get the idea and go onto easier pray.

I would have done the exact same as Stan.

[StanLee]

Thanks for the comment Matt,Hugh and Ade.

Firstly to Ade, I was only kidding about the use of my shinken. I wasn't going to turn the incident into a heroic MA attempt. I can understand that it is wreckless to further the situation in pursuit of my MA training if a knife is involved.

The only reason why I stopped was to cross the road and carry on my journey. That was when he decided to tell me of his knife. I also know that the best weapon is to run. But I didn't percieve the situation to have escalated to that stage. Also, it was in a relatively busy area with many cars and people about; and in daylight. I know that this may not stop him if he really wanted to knife me but it's an advantage to me.

Also by running, I may think that it would have provoked him and the situation. One of the principles of aikido is to meet with the attacker and neutralise the situation; with or without force. I think that I prevented what could have been a really serious incident by talking.

The fact that he put his hands into his pocket and I didn't move sufficiently away without provoking him meant that I have a few things to think about if it should ever happen again.

But let me ask you one question Ade, put yourself in my position, I have tried to describe the situation as accuratley as possible. The other guy had made a threat, he wasn't being physically aggressive. Do you still hit him, turn and run. His defence would be that he asked me for the time, I ignored him and when he asked again, I hit him and ran. How would that look now? Also, I use that route to the dojo quite often. He could wait at the same place again with a lot more of his buddies.

But thanks for pasting the info. on the law.

Looking forward to your comments again. I need as much feedback on the situation from as many people as possible.

Thanks.

[fifthchamber]

Hi Stan..
I am sorry to hear that you had all that on Sunday mate...But you handled it very well in my opinion...No violence, and he left with a feeling of having met something he would have been hurt by...Isn't that what Aikido is all about? You played it very well indeed...(Knowing that part of london too...)...And I would like to think I would have done the same....
Although....My overall theory on defense in general comes from a film...Walk softly, but carry a BIG stick!!
.....Or Shuriken, Tanto, Hanbo, SHINKEN!!, etc....
Glad you weren't hurt. And that he noticed it!....
But sorry it happened anyway!
Regards.

[Ade]

Originally posted by monkeyboy_ssj
R
Also if you are carring weapons and the police stop you, if you are going to practice and prove this then they will tell you to be carful and leave you alone.

It just causes waisted police time and they are general tuned in people and it would just cause them more paperwork.

Dear Matt

I've arrested two people this year for carrying martial arts weapons, both told me that they were going to practice, they both still came in, one with a set of escrima sticks the other with a sai set.

Both were telling the truth about going to training.
Both were acting in clear contravention of their branch masters instructions about having wapons cased at the bottom of a zippered training bag, NOT immediately to hand.
Both teacher's have given statements to this effect.

The police never consider taking armed people out of circulation and into the attention of a court a waste of time.

But thanks for saying we're tuned in.

Both have been bailed pending advice files from the CPS as to how to proceed and as to whether their prosection is in the public interest.
Previous experience tells me that these lads are going to court to answer for their actions.

I can hear the sarcastic tone of the prosecution now:

"So are you, a highly trained martial artist of x years experience, telling me that you really feel the need to arm yourself, creating a further aditional significant advantage over a normal member of public, in a fight...."

Stan did very well in not provoking conflict but lets be honest and say he was lucky, this time, and he got away with it.

I'm glad, he sounds good kenshi.
But this wasn't a good practice.

What was the other male doing? What if it had been a gun? what if the attacker had been drugged/drunk/mentally ill and decided Stan was a real threat? What if this was a professional team, that box a victim with multiple gang members, with the lead man making the contact and the attack coming from behind on the first show of non-compliance in order to silence the victim and escape in the chaos?

Distance equals safety, in danger space a threatening or aggressive move equals an assault.
An assault is any act which intentionally or recklessly causes another person to apprehend immediate and unlawful personal violence. There are varying degrees of assault which are governed by the seriousness of the injury, the harm done and the attendant circumstances.
In the eyes of the law any assault may be met with commensurate force in self defence which may include pre-emptive striking.

As highly trained martial artists we tend to be fitter than most average muggers, keep distance if necessary by running a long way at a decent pace.

This is just my thought process.
Not the bible.
But the law is the law.

Take care.
:nono:

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Ade
An assault is any act which intentionally or recklessly causes another person to apprehend immediate and unlawful personal violence.
Gassho.
What constitutes "unlawful" personal violence, then, Sensei?
Kesshu.

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Ade
Section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 prohibits the possession in any public place of an offensive weapon without lawful authority or excuse.
Doesn't membership of a qualified MA organisation constitute lawful authority?

[Mike Williams]

Hi Stan,

Bummer that you had to go through that - but it sounds like you handled it very well. From your description it doesn't sound like you could have handled it any differently and had a better outcome.

No-one got hurt, that's the main thing.

Cheers,

Mike

[StanLee]

Ade, just another thought. At which point would you have lumped the guy and made a run for it?

The two guys were no older than 20yrs. The other guy did nothing but stand behind the "attacker" and grin. But to be honest I didn't check the other guy out completely even though he did not seem to pose a threat.

My mistake. In fact this has happened before to me, the guy at the back took a lunge at my face and got me but I struck back at the same time and both left me. The situation then was 3:00am in the morning, I was very drunk, just got off the bus and could see my front door.

So with you knowing this, I should have learnt from the first time.

I fact, thinking about it again now. I'm quite pissed with myself for not remembering past experiences. But I clearly forgot and things like this don't happen often to me enough to start building a set thinking proceedure.

But again the main thing was that I didn't put enough distance between me and the other guys.

More comments would be appreciated.

Cheers

Ps. I always keep my bokken and shinken in their carrying bags.

[Ade]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
Gassho.
What constitutes "unlawful" personal violence, then, Sensei?
Kesshu.

Unlawful in this case is probably best thought of as illegal.

Lawful physical violence examples would be:

A surgeon operating on your heart by sticking a knife, then a bone splitter, then his hands, forearms and upper torso inside your chest cavity to make you feel better.
By consent i.e. a boxing match, but not breaking the rules, like headbutting somebody during a football match.
By accident.
Parental chastisement.
During a war.
During a lawful execution.

There are others though GBH during S and M practice is not.

Take care, particularly about that last one.

Ade
:saw:

[Ade]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
Doesn't membership of a qualified MA organisation constitute lawful authority?

NO.

Not in England and Wales.

The only persons lawfully entitled to carry offensive weapons in public are the police and the armed services, plus some special government agencies and contractors as deemed by statute by the home secretary.

Question for you though, and indeed anyone.
I have heard the myth that once practitioners of the sword arts in Japan reach a certain level they can carry their sword around as it constitutes their lives work.
Truth?

[Ade]

Originally posted by StanLee
Ade, just another thought. At which point would you have lumped the guy and made a run for it?

The two guys were no older than 20yrs. The other guy did nothing but stand behind the "attacker" and grin. But to be honest I didn't check the other guy out completely even though he did not seem to pose a threat.

My mistake. In fact this has happened before to me, the guy at the back took a lunge at my face and got me but I struck back at the same time and both left me. The situation then was 3:00am in the morning, I was very drunk, just got off the bus and could see my front door.

So with you knowing this, I should have learnt from the first time.

I fact, thinking about it again now. I'm quite pissed with myself for not remembering past experiences. But I clearly forgot and things like this don't happen often to me enough to start building a set thinking proceedure.

But again the main thing was that I didn't put enough distance between me and the other guys.

More comments would be appreciated.

Cheers

Ps. I always keep my bokken and shinken in their carrying bags.

I'm no expert, there's no right way, any way that you get away with is the right way, only hindsight is an exact science.
Just preferred practice, and distance is my personal favourite, even when I arrest people.
If they won't come.
I gas them.
I wait for it to take effect, I call for back-up.
I/we close distance and control.
Safer and minimal damage, particularly to the most important person there.
Me.

When would I have hit him in that situation?
If he'd got close.
When his hand went into his pocket.
When I felt my hair go up.
When he deserved it.
Then I would have hit his friend as well, just as hard, for grinning at me.

Stay lucky.

Ade

[monkeyboy_ssj]

Stan, the thing is though i think you shouldn't be angry you handled it the same as i would have.

The way UK law works you would have been in thw wrong if you hit him, because he would just sue you...which makes me feel sick that they can do that!

As Mike said, no one got hurt and thats the main thing.

You humour the attacker and be ready for it but try and defuse the situation as best as you can, then they get bored and its over.

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Ade
Unlawful in this case is probably best thought of as illegal.

Lawful physical violence examples would be:

A surgeon operating on your heart by sticking a knife, then a bone splitter, then his hands, forearms and upper torso inside your chest cavity to make you feel better.
By consent i.e. a boxing match, but not breaking the rules, like headbutting somebody during a football match.
By accident.
Parental chastisement.
During a war.
During a lawful execution.

There are others though GBH during S and M practice is not.

Take care, particularly about that last one.

Ade
:saw:
Darn, there goes my fun. :mad:
How come GBH (what about ABH?) during S&M is illegal, but boxing is legal, when both are by consent? And whither self defence?

[Ade]

Originally posted by monkeyboy_ssj
...The way UK law works you would have been in the wrong if you hit him, because he would just sue you...which makes me feel sick that they can do that!...

No you wouldn't.
See previous.

Ade

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Ade
NO.

Not in England and Wales.

The only persons lawfully entitled to carry offensive weapons in public are the police and the armed services, plus some special government agencies and contractors as deemed by statute by the home secretary.
That law will have to change. This is clearly unacceptable, particularly when you consider it takes far longer to qualify as a Shorinji Kempo branch master than it does a police officer!
Originally posted by Ade
Question for you though, and indeed anyone.
I have heard the myth that once practitioners of the sword arts in Japan reach a certain level they can carry their sword around as it constitutes their lives work.
Truth?
No. Urban legend, I'm afraid. In fact, the law as it stands makes even owning a katana illegal, but it's one of those things where no one gets arrested for owning one or for carrying it, properly cased, to and from practice. But wearing it in the belt? A definite no-no, I'm afraid.

[Ade]

/

[Ade]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
Darn, there goes my fun. :mad:
How come GBH (what about ABH?) during S&M is illegal, but boxing is legal, when both are by consent? And whither self defence?

Because boxing has rules, set by governing bodies which stipulate such measures as pre-bout physical exams and doctors present during fights.

Whereas if you get your testicles nailed to a board for jolies the law has turned around and stated that your judgement has to be severely called into question.
ABH probably doesn't get reported, GBH tends to mean a trip to the hospital, but they're both illeagl despite both/all parties having consented.

Self defence is a right we all have in common law.

Ade:shot:

[Ade]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
That law will have to change. This is clearly unacceptable, particularly when you consider it takes far longer to qualify as a Shorinji Kempo branch master than it does a police officer!

Life is full of choices.
I chose both.
They seem to compliment each other.
And a gi is just a different uniform, and I've worn 4 in my life, (5 if you include the boy scouts.)

Ade

[StanLee]

Cheers for all the replys guys!

[ScottUK]

On a related theme, I saw a sword bag somewhere on the 'net that offers a secure section for the carrying of live-edged weapons (with a small padlock to keep the peelers happy), but...

...a small innocuous press-stud flap at the bottom of the section where you'd keep a bokken.

Now I'm sure that 3' of oak appearing from nowhere would be a nice surprise for any turd who wanted some hassle! :D

[Ade]

Originally posted by ScottUK
On a related theme, I saw a sword bag somewhere on the 'net that offers a secure section for the carrying of live-edged weapons (with a small padlock to keep the peelers happy), but...

...a small innocuous press-stud flap at the bottom of the section where you'd keep a bokken.

Now I'm sure that 3' of oak appearing from nowhere would be a nice surprise for any turd :D

Especially for your defence lawyer who could go to the Carribean for Christmas...again.

[kage110]

Why take the bokken out of the bag? Just hid the mugger (spell that with a 'b' if you like:D ) with it in the bag!

[Shitoryu Dude]

I'm of the opinion that if you can't run away, then a pistol is the best option when faced with a knife carrying punk. Too bad this happened in the UK where defending yourself is considered a crime.

:beer:

[Ade]

Originally posted by Shitoryu Dude
I'm of the opinion that if you can't run away, then a pistol is the best option when faced with a knife carrying punk. Too bad this happened in the UK where defending yourself is considered a crime.

:beer:

Running away is good.
But thanks be to every God that's ever been dreamed up, (Thor is my favourite but I was airborne and that's a different thread,) that we don't have the same gun laws as the rest of the world.
Don't believe me, join the army, go to Iraq, and after one market day there tell me that an armed populace is a good idea.

Ade

:shot:

PS the clue is in the body bags!

[Bod]

From one British Ade to another let me offer you one piece of genuine advice.

Don't bother getting into the gun control debate. The pro and anti-gun lobbyists on the other side of the pond will flood every thread with statistics and prose, the quantity of which will amaze you. Just type "gun control" into the e-budo search engine and marvel. It is one serious raw nerve for our American co-posters.

As for how to react in the above situation, I think Stan did great. If someone asks you the time, why not tell them. If I ran away every time a black person asked me the time I'd be both pretty unpopular round my way and a bit of a target.

People of all races have talked to me out of the blue for as long as I remember. Some of them were up to no good, others begging, some were genuinely seeking information.

If any person even begins to act unreasonably once they've engaged me in conversation, and it happens every so often, I say "Sorry mate, I guess I can't help you", or "See you mate, I can't hang around" and leave. I haven't been followed after doing my "Not tonight pal" speech, but when I've had to leg it I have. I know that if that approach hadn't worked, at least I'd have had something to say to the judge.

I think you did the right thing. If a man tells you has a knife he's unlikely to shoot you. If you don't accept any unreasonable behaviour, and yet remain respectful, you'll keep yourself out of the majority of trouble.

[Shitoryu Dude]

I think the gun control "debate" can just lie low for a while - takes too much out of you to get that riled up.

:beer:

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Ade
Life is full of choices.
I chose both.
They seem to compliment each other.
And a gi is just a different uniform, and I've worn 4 in my life, (5 if you include the boy scouts.)
Dogi. Dogi. DOGI!!!!!
Originally posted by Ade
Self defence is a right we all have in common law.
But we can't use weapons to enforce that law? Talk about hamstrung!

[Soulend]

Don't believe me, join the army, go to Iraq, and after one market day there tell me that an armed populace is a good idea.

Been there, done that, and is still a good idea.

[adroitjimon]

Good job stan bravo and all that gob like the wolverine!
Kinda fitting wouldn't you say?

Also I would care to add ADE has the most brilliant composition
skills so unlike me...:(

[StanLee]

Cheers everyone for the replys! If only I had mutant healing power with razor sharp admantium blades up my forearms, I'd shown the guy who he was asking the time from.

But I don't. But I must make a point of keeping good eye contact whilst checking out any movements else where and mai.

[Ade]

Originally posted by StanLee
But I must make a point of keeping good eye contact whilst checking out any movements else where and mai.

The force is strong with this one...
Jedi he wants to be.
We're recruiting now.

[fifthchamber]

Hi all..
Ummmm...Kind of off-topic...But this did catch my eye...
Dogi. Dogi. DOGI!!!!!
.....And I was suddenly reminded of the sketch from Monty Python and the Holy Grail...The Knights who say.....NI!!!.....Sorry Tony...I KNOW you're right...It just struck me as familiar..
Sooooo.....
We are the knights who say..........Dogi!...Dogi!....Dogi!!....
.....Sorry.
Regards.

[Kimpatsu]

We are the Jedi Knights who say, "Dogi! Dogi! DOGI!"
Until all have learned correct Japanese, and do not insult 127 million people with their mispronouncements...

[Ade]

Originally posted by Soulend
Been there, done that, and is still a good idea.

Gunny

After operational tours, leading soldiers as a platoon commander in the British Infantry, in Northern Ireland during the 1980's where only a tiny percentage of the populace had access to firarms, I can say with some certainty that there is a massive difference to a shooting war and a police action.

Tell the American officer from the 1st Armoured Division that got fatally shot in the neck, by an unknown assassin whilst waiting in a queue for a coke, in the "friendly zone" of Baghdad university that an armed populace is a good idea.

I don't believe it and I don't think you do either.

It's just the Gung ho talking.

Airborne...all the way.

Ade

PS During my service I was lucky enough to work with both the Marine Corps and the Rangers and enjoyed every minute, indeed as we speak I have a copy of the American Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Museum Gift Shop Catalogue sat on my computer desk.
Neither of you were any good at drinking beer though.

PPS I was also warned about starting a debate with the American subscribers about gun regulation, so I won't bother.

[Ade]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
We are the Jedi Knights who say, "Dogi! Dogi! DOGI!"
Until all have learned correct Japanese, and do not insult 127 million people with their mispronouncements...

Right, I'll make you a deal, when all 127 million Japanese can say:

" Lolo Lilly lays lasciviously lazy surreptitiously lubricating lozenges then I'll consider that it's worth making the effort.

Till then it's Gi.

[monkeyboy_ssj]

My thinking exactly.

Find me a Japanese person who is seriously insulted by it then i'll listen.

*teehee, i love it!*

I don't even wear one, but just because it's funny!

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Ade
Right, I'll make you a deal, when all 127 million Japanese can say:

" Lolo Lilly lays lasciviously lazy surreptitiously lubricating lozenges then I'll consider that it's worth making the effort.

Till then it's Gi.
No, it's still dogi. The difference is, "dogi" is Japanese, and "Lolo Lilly lays lasciviously lazy surreptitiously lubricating lozenges" isn't.
If you can't even get that right, what else are you teaching that's wrong?

[Ade]

Tony

Stop it or I shall ask everyone to start sending you personal messages using Gi.

And I get a feeling that they'll want to join in.

I really don't care about correct diction as dictated by ancient Japanese script, and neither do the vast majority of the Western world. That's why the abbreviation: Gi, which is slang for a longer version, is in common usage.

If you start with this minor error what's next? All spoken words in all Japanese style dojos around the world have to be in olde Japanese because that was what was spoken in feudal Japan? Perhaps we could burn all books with language in that you dont agree with.

As the drill instructor says in Biloxi Blues "Lighten up ...Francis."

Stop it.

Ade

PS I have to admit my Japanese pronunciation is so excrable that it makes even me wince, but I don't care and the students understand just fine.

[Soulend]

I don't believe it and I don't think you do either.

Then you are mistaken sir. I would submit that the very reason you consider it a bad idea is the same reason I consider it a good one. An armed populace makes a country a lot more difficult to subjegate, and if you are the interloper - yes, it appears to be a very 'bad idea' indeed. But if the shoe were on the other foot and I lived in a country currently being patrolled by foreign forces I would have a bit of a different perspective. If I understand correctly, you are of the opinion that the civilian populace of countries (including our own) should be disarmed so that they (and we) will be easier for foreign or domestic forces to control down the road? How bizarre.

It has nothing to do with 'gung ho'. It has to do with my belief that the people of my country have the right to keep and bear arms.

I am glad that you will not bother arguing the gun control issue, because I've already debated it at length many times on this board and really would prefer not to get into it again. The statistics are quite clear for those who wish to research them.

As for the beer...a shame we are so far apart. :toast:

[Ade]

Originally posted by Soulend
As for the beer...a shame we are so far apart. :toast:

I'll drink to that, here's to the Corps, Semper Fi.

Ade:beer: :toast:

[Kimpatsu]

Originally posted by Ade
Stop it or I shall ask everyone to start sending you personal messages using Gi.
You can, but it won't make you right. Why won't you use the correct eterm? And, as I keep asking, if you wilfully get this wrong, what else are you deliberately misteaching?
Originally posted by Ade
I really don't care about correct diction as dictated by ancient Japanese script, and neither do the vast majority of the Western world. That's why the abbreviation: Gi, which is slang for a longer version, is in common usage.
It's common usage amongst people who aren't Shornji Kenshi; we must do better.
Originally posted by Ade
If you start with this minor error what's next?
This isn't a minor error; it's vital. You are giving non-Kenshi the impression that we are nothing special, instead of having genuine links to Japan.
Originally posted by Ade
As the drill instructor says in Biloxi Blues "Lighten up ...Francis."
And as Yoda says in ESB: "Do, or do not. There is no try."
Originally posted by Ade
Stop it.
As soon as you stop making this egregious error, I will. Stop embarrassing all the Shornji Kenshi in the world. Get it right. Use "dogi".

[ScottUK]

Originally posted by Ade
As the drill instructor says in Biloxi Blues "Lighten up ...Francis."Sorry to be a pedant here, but wasn't that in 'Stripes'?

[Ade]

You're probably right, move to Tokyo, Tony needs you to type while he rants.

Ade:cry: