So I met a person who was openly racist towards me in a martial arts gym. I tried to resolve the conflict with one of the coaches present but the guy kept being really aggressive towards me, both verbally and physically. The coaches talked to him afterwards a bit but I doubt they will do much about it since he is Japanese and I am not.
I don’t want to go too much into the details but when we sparred where he tried to hurt me with illegal moves. Then afterwards he said that because I did not greet him properly I don’t respect the Japanese culture and should go back to my home country. I have been training at a few different clubs for the past few months and have never had anyone mentioned anything similar before.
I am alright now but if it were to happen again would it be fine for me to use plain form when we speak since he speaks in a rude way towards me or should I stick to polite Japanese? This is the first time I have ever gotten into a hostile situation because of my race. I can’t stop thinking about how I should have handled it. Right now I plan to keep showing up there until my membership runs out and just avoid him now that I have informed the coaches.
If anyone has any similar experience and would want to share some advice please do so!
9 comments
Doesn’t seem like he is “openly racist” . He just does not like YOU.
Hi, very sorry to hear that. My close friend has been to a few Jujutsu gyms (neighborhood gyms not specifically targeting foreigners) and I’ve never heard him tell anything like this incident. He’s Slavic and white tho..
This dude sounds 100% like an asshole. He also sounds like a typical right winger, every country has them, not just Japan: tells foreigners to “go back to their country” 🙄, criticizes people for not speaking a second or third language perfectly, aggressive, racist, engaging in questionable activities, doing stuff that contradicts with their “values”…
I don’t think there is an ideal way to tell a right winger how his views, rhetoric or attitudes are affecting you. You can’t knock logic and reason into a racist with a hammer. Best thing you can do is to avoid him and ask your coaches to protect you. It’s their job, this dude sounds dangerous. Also things got physical and he had the intent to hurt you, you may even inform him that you will contact the police. Polite Japanese will not fix his behavior because what happened wasn’t your fault.
You can’t resolve the conflict physically since you are a gaijin and will be entirely at fault.
But you can invite him at Street Fighter and beat his ass.
What’s your race?
Sounds like you should find another club or you’re going to have to kick this person’s arse.
31 year martial artist here and almost 20 years as an instructor. Your conflict resolution is your hands and feet. If you don’t like someone, you are in the literal best place to settle it. 9/10 times once you beat the shit out of each other you’ll be good friends. Happened many times in my life.
If we ever had issues with other students or instructors, we wrapped up and went at it until both parties were too tired to care anymore.
One of the guys I taught with I could not stand, and it went both ways. We fought until my keokogi was soaked with either his, or my blood. 20 years later, we’re still good friends. If you don’t end up as friends, you’ll get a rival that keeps you on your toes and pushes you to evolve.
Laws of Budo apply here. These transcend “Japan” or “race” IMO.
This thread is hilarious. If it’s even real and why the fuck are all y’all on here at this time?
I mean seriously, again if real, the question is: “should I continue using”polite” Japanese”.
OP is way out of their depth here and needs to take a few deep breaths before writing more fan fiction or if real getting into trouble.
But you know, chances are dudes whose hobbies include kicking the shit out of people may have anger issues and be assholes….
“The wise warrior avoids the battle.” (Sun Tzu)
This is just my opinion but if someone is being rude to you then you don’t need to be polite to him anymore, he doesn’t deserve it.
Also, if nobody around you steps in to help you out with this dude then I’d stop going there. Find a better place.