LOL

that's a true story. I had a lot of stuff going on at the time dealing with my dad's cancer and that guy started screwing with me for no reason.

I walked right out and actually it would probably be just battery. Assault and battery is redundant.

right there in Chicago on North avenue pretty ...

Definately manners and being professional are important, but having a strong presence also counts. That's basically all I was trying to say. Be polite as you want, if the other person thinks they can spit in your face they probably will. That and the fact that I haven't been too impressed by most ...

I'm one of those people that doesn't do too well when someone tries to punk me out, I rise to the bait and usually call them on it. This just an example and and probably an extreme one at that, but backing down is looked upon as a sign of weakness by most of these modern day punks.

the last time ...

No, the first line of defense is looking like you ain't gonna take no #####.
no offense is intended, but good manners don't mean #####, if you don't look like you can back it up.

I was looking for a little extra cash so I bounced for about 6 months in 2002 and got tired of it real quick, dealing ...

eh? made no sense to me?????

I've seen it happen before that a group of us are minding our own business and joking around while having dinner and someone in the same room thinks we are making fun of them for some reason. Maybe someone in our group made a little too much eye contact with one or two of them or whaterver, nothing ...

these are just my opinions....

but I would focus more on finding a good teacher than trying to track down some esoteric style or teacher thereof. I'd say there are very few people who can fight using tai chi and fewer still who's primary focus it to teach tai chi from a fighters perspective, not ...

1) Do you see rank as important?
Not at all.

2) Why (if you care to share)?
I think often it is used to feed ego's rather than truly denote one's skill. If someone is better than me I respect that, I don't need to see a belt around their waist.

3) Did the rank of your instructor influence ...