Is This What Most Non-Martial Artists Think of Traditional Martial Arts?
Overcoming Myths and Stereotypes About Martial Arts
Wow. I caught a recent episode of “Wife Swap” last night. If you haven’t seen Wife Swap, it’s a reality show where two families – in different parts of the country – swap wives for two weeks. The show’s tagline is…
“Each wife is about to get a new husband, new children and a new life”.
It’s a pretty bizarre concept.
Anyway, in this episode the two families lead very different lives: The Rodriquez family runs a martial arts school in Colorado. The other family – the Figarattos in Maine – run a Karaoke “hotspot” from their basement.
Wife Kate Rodriguez goes to live with the Figaratto family to instill discipline and order. Wife Roxie Figaratto flies out to Colorado to teach Dad Adam how to have a little fun, “loosen up” a bit and pay more attention to his son.
To make a long story short, about a week into the swap Kate takes the entire Figaratto family to try martial arts at a local academy.
I couldn’t believe the family’s reaction.
Upon entering the dojo, the 10-year-old son said, “Whose face are we going to be pounding? I don’t like it. She (Kate) could kill someone. It’s basically not over until they’re dead”. (!)
Dad’s reaction was: “Throwing punches and kicking is something that goes against my grain. Seeing my children engaged in this barbaric act – it’s definitely off-putting”.
Now, obviously, this is TV. Both families have to create tension and get the drama going in order to get people to watch. However, it does bring up an important point:
Where do people get these mistaken beliefs? Specifically, where did the son get the idea that “it’s not over until somebody is dead”?
Is this what most non-martial artists think martial arts is all about? Do they think it’s just “face-pounding” and “barbaric acts”? I’m sure some do.
This is one of the reasons why educating your prospects is so critical to your success. People have a certain set of beliefs when you first approach them about trying martial arts. If you don’t first dispel some of the myths ingrained in their brains, it’s going to be tough for you to get the sale.
While this was just a TV show – and obviously dramatized to make a statement – keep in mind some people do have this mindset when it comes to martial arts.
It’s up to you to educate them.