Tae kwon do Etiquette

Greetings and Titles

In a traditional school, the use of tae kwon do etiquette extends to the use of greetings and titles. It is expected. It is how we publicly acknowledge one another.

Bowing is always a part of the use of greetings. We bow and greet our peers, Masters and Instructors.

I had a funny experience once with these titles.

I was at the gym with a friend. As usual, we began our workout by riding the stationary recumbent bikes. At the time, I was a volunteer instructor at my school.

My friend and I were talking and pedaling when a man who was a relatively new student at the school walked by. He saw me, stopped and turned, very formally, and bowed to greet.

My friend on the other hand, needed some explanation as to why a stranger would stop and bow to me. It was pretty funny once I thought about it from her perspective.

As martial artists, we should never be embarrassed by the customs we adopt in practicing our art.

Greetings

Ahn nyong ha say yo

Titles