A high degree of etiquette should be observed by students, both inside and outside
dojang. This should be applied by lower ranking students to senior students while
training, by higher ranking students to elder students outside of the dojang, and by all
students when visiting another dojang. In all cases, emphasis should be placed on
correct and proper salutation. It is a form of respect and courtesy in Western as well
as Oriental societies. It is indeed poor taste for a black belt to slight a beginning white
belt who might very well be the instructor's senior in both age and station. Students
visiting other dojangs, whether they be Taekwon-Do or other martial arts, must pay
proper respect and observe the traits of modesty and courtesy at all times.
We have searched for a suitable guide to etiquette and have found the following from
various sources.
Etiquette is the most important, valuable and fundamental aspect in one's life.
Etiquette is that hidden element which comes spontaneously from within a person's
heart and is expressed in actions, behavior and/or speech. It is associated with
personality and character building. Etiquette is not something, which is forced upon
someone to abide by rules and regulations, but it is that element which flows naturally
and automatically to make a person more readily accepted in our society. Etiquette
enriches one's quality of life and thus gives a person peace and tranquility not only to
oneself but also to society at large.
Basics in the Dojang:
1. When students bow they must first stand to attention (feet form a 45 degree
angle). Fists are lightly clenched, bending the elbows slightly. Bend the body
forward 15 degrees.
2. In the dojang, while sitting in the company of senior members (senior means
higher ranking TKD students or an elderly person) one must maintain proper
posture. In case of any senior member entering the room one must stand
immediately and bow. You take your seat only after the senior member has sat
down.
3. When entering a dojang, bow first to the Instructor, then the assistant
instructors and the flag. Even when visiting other Martial Arts dojangs, students
must show proper respect and observe the traits of modesty and courtesy at all
times.
4. In the dojang, you should refrain from making excessive noise and attempt to
build a serious training environment.
Dinner Table Etiquette
1. Maintain proper seated position while eating.
2. Wait for the senior member or any elderly person to start first.
3. Do not stand or leave the table while eating without seeking permission to be
excused.
4. If you are the host, do not eat fast and finish before your guest who may still be
eating.
5. Do not take uninvited guests to a party.
Seating Arrangements during Social or Official Functions
The middle is for the senior. The right side must be the second and left is the third.
The fourth place is again at the right, etc.
General Etiquette
At home or in public, always try to use proper language in your conversation and
maintain proper language, (e.g. not slang). On all occasions, in whatever relationships
you have (e.g. teacher-student) always maintain and display good etiquette.
During Conversation
1. Ensure that you use the correct and appropriate language.
2. When speaking to others, do not talk in an abrupt, violent or aggressive
manner. Speak with humbleness.
3. Always remember to address a person with a proper title.
4. Always be a good listener. Do not cut in on someone else's conversation.
When giving an opinion, think very carefully beforehand.
5. Do not point fingers at someone while talking and do not touch another
person unnecessarily during the conversation.
Email
1. Ensure that you use the correct and appropriate language.
2. Do not send unwanted jokes or email to your seniors.
3. Do not provide your seniors or other Taekwon-Do students email addresses
to others without their permission.
Social Meetings
1. If you are introduced by a friend to a senior black belt or instructor, let your
friend complete the introduction first before you speak.
2. When shaking hands, junior students must wait until the senior extends his
hand first. A junior must never be the first to extend the hand to the senior.
3. When shaking hands, do not hold too tight (or loose).
When Visiting
1. Do not conduct surprise visits. Give plenty of notice before your intended visit.
2. Avoid visiting early mornings or late nights, unless previously arranged.
3. If when visiting, your host gives you indirect hints to leave (e.g. looking at his
watch etc) be considerate and leave.
4. When visitors leave, see them from the premises by accompanying them to
the gate or car. Await their departure before returning inside.
Testing
1. Warm-up about 25 minutes before chief examiner arrives. Someone will
conduct the warm-up.
2. Members should be instructed on where to be seated and advised as to
proper conduct.
3. When to go to the restroom.
4. Chief examiner arrives (nominate someone to watch for his arrival).
5. Instructors must be dressed in the official dress uniform (unless required in
dobok for the testing).
6.The Instructors wait outside for the examiner. They walk in with the Examiner
in accordance to their seniority with the Examiner at the front of the line.
7.The Instructors line up at the front, facing forward to the students testing.
8. All face the flag and bow (the senior student gives the commands).
9. Student oath
10. Bow to the chief examiner, bow to the instructors.
11. The host Instructor introduces the examiner and instructors and advises people of
the event.
12. Those testing move back and are seated while the examiner is introduced to the
instructors and guests if any. Black belt students are to be seated at the side of the
venue.
13. Testing begins.
14. Instructors need to be seated where practical near the examiner for consultation.
Instructor's only are permitted to be seated at the examiner's table. If your student is
being examined, then sit next to the examiner so comments can be passed.
15. All Black Belts of the school testing are to be present at the grading in the correct
dress unless excused by the chief examiner.
16. Black belts are to be seated in a suitable manner on the seating provided, share
the task of ushering the students, remain alert and maintain the correct
standards/discipline among the students testing.
17. Finish with a speech from examiner & presentations, notices from visiting
Instructors.
16. Final procedure: The senior gives the commands as per the procedure for the end
of class.
After the testing
1. After testing: Announcement, time, date, venue, who attends, food, transport,
reservations.
2. Always have one or two adults handy to assist the chief examiner.
3. Testing events should be celebrated with a dinner or some type of event.
dojang. This should be applied by lower ranking students to senior students while
training, by higher ranking students to elder students outside of the dojang, and by all
students when visiting another dojang. In all cases, emphasis should be placed on
correct and proper salutation. It is a form of respect and courtesy in Western as well
as Oriental societies. It is indeed poor taste for a black belt to slight a beginning white
belt who might very well be the instructor's senior in both age and station. Students
visiting other dojangs, whether they be Taekwon-Do or other martial arts, must pay
proper respect and observe the traits of modesty and courtesy at all times.
We have searched for a suitable guide to etiquette and have found the following from
various sources.
Etiquette is the most important, valuable and fundamental aspect in one's life.
Etiquette is that hidden element which comes spontaneously from within a person's
heart and is expressed in actions, behavior and/or speech. It is associated with
personality and character building. Etiquette is not something, which is forced upon
someone to abide by rules and regulations, but it is that element which flows naturally
and automatically to make a person more readily accepted in our society. Etiquette
enriches one's quality of life and thus gives a person peace and tranquility not only to
oneself but also to society at large.
Basics in the Dojang:
1. When students bow they must first stand to attention (feet form a 45 degree
angle). Fists are lightly clenched, bending the elbows slightly. Bend the body
forward 15 degrees.
2. In the dojang, while sitting in the company of senior members (senior means
higher ranking TKD students or an elderly person) one must maintain proper
posture. In case of any senior member entering the room one must stand
immediately and bow. You take your seat only after the senior member has sat
down.
3. When entering a dojang, bow first to the Instructor, then the assistant
instructors and the flag. Even when visiting other Martial Arts dojangs, students
must show proper respect and observe the traits of modesty and courtesy at all
times.
4. In the dojang, you should refrain from making excessive noise and attempt to
build a serious training environment.
Dinner Table Etiquette
1. Maintain proper seated position while eating.
2. Wait for the senior member or any elderly person to start first.
3. Do not stand or leave the table while eating without seeking permission to be
excused.
4. If you are the host, do not eat fast and finish before your guest who may still be
eating.
5. Do not take uninvited guests to a party.
Seating Arrangements during Social or Official Functions
The middle is for the senior. The right side must be the second and left is the third.
The fourth place is again at the right, etc.
General Etiquette
At home or in public, always try to use proper language in your conversation and
maintain proper language, (e.g. not slang). On all occasions, in whatever relationships
you have (e.g. teacher-student) always maintain and display good etiquette.
During Conversation
1. Ensure that you use the correct and appropriate language.
2. When speaking to others, do not talk in an abrupt, violent or aggressive
manner. Speak with humbleness.
3. Always remember to address a person with a proper title.
4. Always be a good listener. Do not cut in on someone else's conversation.
When giving an opinion, think very carefully beforehand.
5. Do not point fingers at someone while talking and do not touch another
person unnecessarily during the conversation.
1. Ensure that you use the correct and appropriate language.
2. Do not send unwanted jokes or email to your seniors.
3. Do not provide your seniors or other Taekwon-Do students email addresses
to others without their permission.
Social Meetings
1. If you are introduced by a friend to a senior black belt or instructor, let your
friend complete the introduction first before you speak.
2. When shaking hands, junior students must wait until the senior extends his
hand first. A junior must never be the first to extend the hand to the senior.
3. When shaking hands, do not hold too tight (or loose).
When Visiting
1. Do not conduct surprise visits. Give plenty of notice before your intended visit.
2. Avoid visiting early mornings or late nights, unless previously arranged.
3. If when visiting, your host gives you indirect hints to leave (e.g. looking at his
watch etc) be considerate and leave.
4. When visitors leave, see them from the premises by accompanying them to
the gate or car. Await their departure before returning inside.
Testing
1. Warm-up about 25 minutes before chief examiner arrives. Someone will
conduct the warm-up.
2. Members should be instructed on where to be seated and advised as to
proper conduct.
3. When to go to the restroom.
4. Chief examiner arrives (nominate someone to watch for his arrival).
5. Instructors must be dressed in the official dress uniform (unless required in
dobok for the testing).
6.The Instructors wait outside for the examiner. They walk in with the Examiner
in accordance to their seniority with the Examiner at the front of the line.
7.The Instructors line up at the front, facing forward to the students testing.
8. All face the flag and bow (the senior student gives the commands).
9. Student oath
10. Bow to the chief examiner, bow to the instructors.
11. The host Instructor introduces the examiner and instructors and advises people of
the event.
12. Those testing move back and are seated while the examiner is introduced to the
instructors and guests if any. Black belt students are to be seated at the side of the
venue.
13. Testing begins.
14. Instructors need to be seated where practical near the examiner for consultation.
Instructor's only are permitted to be seated at the examiner's table. If your student is
being examined, then sit next to the examiner so comments can be passed.
15. All Black Belts of the school testing are to be present at the grading in the correct
dress unless excused by the chief examiner.
16. Black belts are to be seated in a suitable manner on the seating provided, share
the task of ushering the students, remain alert and maintain the correct
standards/discipline among the students testing.
17. Finish with a speech from examiner & presentations, notices from visiting
Instructors.
16. Final procedure: The senior gives the commands as per the procedure for the end
of class.
After the testing
1. After testing: Announcement, time, date, venue, who attends, food, transport,
reservations.
2. Always have one or two adults handy to assist the chief examiner.
3. Testing events should be celebrated with a dinner or some type of event.
| "Ye" (etiquette) is an essential spirit in Taekwon-Do training. Taekwon-Do practice must begin and end with etiquette. Ye is abbreviation of Kyongnye. Ye denotes the way that all human beings must follow. It is the fundamental base on which human spirit stands. That is respect for humanity. Etiquette is an expression, through actions, of one's mind respecting the other party's personality, constituting a lofty and valuable basic attitude in a man. A code of etiquette is aimed at encouraging Taekwondoist to behave themselves like a person of etiquette, always trying hard to cultivate a righteous and decent character in them so that everyone throughout the world may follow their examples. Children especially need far more discipline and order. The child’s overflowing enthusiasm can be tempered only through reinforced moral education, which starts by the training of etiquette. Etiquette should be based on an upright mind and modest attitude. One should get rid of mean attitudes, showing only modest attitudes, which is an important part of etiquette. Decent and accurate speech, graceful conduct, upright and moderate attitudes are all the essentials of etiquette deserving a healthy modern life. Etiquette is also the source of maintaining harmony and solidarity for community life. |
| DID YOU KNOW ?? |
"When in doubt, bow!"
DID YOU KNOW??
| Special Thanks to all who have donated their time, recommendations and material to help make this site the best website source on the Chang Huhn Patterns. |
| Taekwon-Do Etiquette |
| TIDBITS In Korea, manners (yejol) is an abbreviation of etiquette and courtesy. Yei refers to social rules or relationships that are demonstrated through personal and social language and behavior; the way of speech, attitude, and/or behavior toward others. Bumjol describes day-to-day order and procedure surrounding one's life. Plainly, bumjol is a formal way of talking; a formal mental state or attitude; and a prescribed series of formal behaviors. Therefore, manners, according to Korean culture, is a formerly expressed action to display your respect toward others. To simply acknowledge manners is insufficient; manners should be conducted with brevity and sincerity. Attention to and practicing of manners should spring voluntarily - practiced naturally rather than forced upon a person through compulsory rules or binding force. Manners that pay respect to morals and ethics, and that acknowledge the binding human conscience, are primary. |
As a result of its oriental and military background a certain etiquette has
developed in Taekwon-Do, such as bowing and the way we shake hands
with a senior. This allows us to distinguish senior from junior grade and
to enable us to show respect to our seniors. It is important that we visibly
show our respect and are willing to humble ourselves. This is what makes
I.T.F. Taekwon-Do a martial art and it distinguishes us from a group of
thugs only interested in fighting. Some new members find this difficult to
understand and may feel that it is just a power trip for the instructor. It is
in fact the opposite, it is there to remind us to be humble and to stop us
developing an ego or turning into a show off. Remember we are all
students of Taekwon-Do and these forms of etiquette apply to us all,
black belts included. Instructors show this etiquette to their seniors.
These are a few of the major forms of etiquette which as students of
Taekwon-Do we will encounter.
Bow: We always bow to our partner before and after we practice
together. We bow to the instructor at the beginning and end of the class.
We should wait until the instructor raises their head before we raise ours.
We should always bow when they approach or leave a senior. When
leaving a senior grade we should bow, take three steps back and then
turn. We bow when entering and leaving the Do jang.
Name: Never call a senior by their first name. Always Master, Mr., Miss
or Ma’am. This applies both inside and outside of Taekwon-Do. If we
meet our instructor in the street we still must call them by their second
name otherwise they are just empty words in the Do jang.
Hands on hips: We never stand with our hands on our hips when in the
presence of a senior.
Handshake: When shaking hands with a senior we should place the back
of the left hand under the right elbow. Always wait until a senior offers to
shake our hand.
Seat: We should always offer our seat to a senior if they are without one.
Never sit down before your seniors are seated.
Stand up: We should always stand up when a senior enters the room or
approaches us.
Receiving two hands: Always give and receive from a senior with two
hands.
developed in Taekwon-Do, such as bowing and the way we shake hands
with a senior. This allows us to distinguish senior from junior grade and
to enable us to show respect to our seniors. It is important that we visibly
show our respect and are willing to humble ourselves. This is what makes
I.T.F. Taekwon-Do a martial art and it distinguishes us from a group of
thugs only interested in fighting. Some new members find this difficult to
understand and may feel that it is just a power trip for the instructor. It is
in fact the opposite, it is there to remind us to be humble and to stop us
developing an ego or turning into a show off. Remember we are all
students of Taekwon-Do and these forms of etiquette apply to us all,
black belts included. Instructors show this etiquette to their seniors.
These are a few of the major forms of etiquette which as students of
Taekwon-Do we will encounter.
Bow: We always bow to our partner before and after we practice
together. We bow to the instructor at the beginning and end of the class.
We should wait until the instructor raises their head before we raise ours.
We should always bow when they approach or leave a senior. When
leaving a senior grade we should bow, take three steps back and then
turn. We bow when entering and leaving the Do jang.
Name: Never call a senior by their first name. Always Master, Mr., Miss
or Ma’am. This applies both inside and outside of Taekwon-Do. If we
meet our instructor in the street we still must call them by their second
name otherwise they are just empty words in the Do jang.
Hands on hips: We never stand with our hands on our hips when in the
presence of a senior.
Handshake: When shaking hands with a senior we should place the back
of the left hand under the right elbow. Always wait until a senior offers to
shake our hand.
Seat: We should always offer our seat to a senior if they are without one.
Never sit down before your seniors are seated.
Stand up: We should always stand up when a senior enters the room or
approaches us.
Receiving two hands: Always give and receive from a senior with two
hands.
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