What do you call yourself?

**Jason Chambers** · 05-30-2007, 15:57

Do you or have you ever insisted someone, who is not a student, call you master, sensei, etc?

**Jay Bell** · 05-30-2007, 16:06

Originally Posted by Jason Chambers

Do you or have you ever insisted someone, who is not a student, call you master, sensei, etc?

No. And to do so is pretty silly.

**Musubi Dojo** · 05-30-2007, 16:08

I demand that every person I meet refer to me as

The All Encompassing Evil One

What Jay said. I can smell the kool-aid brewing....

**Nyuck3x** · 05-30-2007, 16:13

If you do, it is entirely wrong.
If you are going to use the Japanese language, you should use
it correctly, to the best of your knowlege and not be offended
when someone corrects you. The use of these terms are honorary
and NEVER be insisted on being used. The use of Shihan, Kyoshi and
Hanshi are only to be used in official documentation and not used
as a title.

I tell my students that I am "the sensei", or "a sensei" of karate,
but not to refer to me as sensei unless they want to.
Mr. B for kids or Ray for the adults is fine with me.
Also, never ever call me sensei on the street and don't Oss me!

Peace

**Musubi Dojo** · 05-30-2007, 16:15

I actually had neighbor who came to class a few times and then started refering to me as sensei very loudly every time we met.
I had to ask him to stop, it was embarassing.

**Patrick Hayes** · 05-30-2007, 16:41

During my (brief) teaching tenure, I preferred to be called by my name. I also told them that if they insisted on using a title to use "sempai." A few students did call me "sensei," but those times were few and far between so I let it slide rather than make an issue out of it.

**skatergirl** · 05-30-2007, 18:25

I never have and never will. My Sensei will refer to me as Sensei Kohl if I'm helping teach, but the majority of the time I'm lumped in with the rest of the scrappy youngins and get "Kohl San". I like Kohl San better, anyway.

**aplonis** · 05-30-2007, 18:32

Somewhere in Asia is a master named "Hei Yu".

**Eliz** · 05-30-2007, 21:25

You forgot the Ms/Miss/Mrs. section, so I didn't vote.

j/k

I am Ms. Elizabeth and my belt is completely void of rank. In TKD, I hold the title of Master. In HKD, I am 2nd Dan. To anyone and everyone, I am "Ms. Elizabeth."

The only place the word "Master" is written is actually on a shirt that one of my students gave me. Very touching. It is a bright, sea blue polo shirt with "Master Elizabeth" on the right side, and a picture of a female MAist (with a blond ponytail) on the left side. I almost cried when he gave it to me. Although I have never worn the shirt, the thought was a beautiful gesture so I keep it tucked away.

**Rasputin** · 05-30-2007, 21:40

I'd like to be called "The Dude", but only if you don't pee on my rug.

**Musubi Dojo** · 05-30-2007, 21:54

Originally Posted by Rasputin

I'd like to be called "The Dude", but only if you don't pee on my rug.

I bet that rug really pulls the room together....

**TonyU** · 05-31-2007, 05:54

In our association titles are utilized, Renshi Shihan, Koyshi, etc., in official capacities. I don't like them.
Students call me sensei. I don't ask or even demand it, but it's expected. Titles (Mr., Mrs, sensei so forth and so on) are taught as a matter of respect, not entitlement.

At work I'm Sergeant Urena or just Sarge. Again it's expected.

In both situations they are more expected in an official capacity (within the dojo or at work). In an informal setting I constantly have to remind people to just call me Tony.

**Haze** · 05-31-2007, 08:17

Our association uses some titles. Seems that when I started training (1987) everyone with a BB was called sensei. Now it seems that you have to be a sandan to be called sensei.

My actual grade in this assoc. is shodan, some call me sensei, some call me David, some call me Chuck (long story). As long as it is with some respect (in the dojo) anything is good for me.