kungfu school is a cross between a school and a home. Just as there are rules in your school and your home, there are also rules and customs to follow in the kungfu school. Your school will not be exactly like what we describe, but these notes should help you know what to expect.
Most kungfu schools consist of a big open area for training, together with a teacher's office and changing rooms. Along the walls you may see equipment for working out—punching bags, weights, bars. You will also probably see many weapons and trophies.
Somewhere in the room you are likely to see a picture or a statue of a big Chinese man with a red face, a huge sword, and a blue horse. This is Gwan Gung, or General Gwan. He was a great general during the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China and a renowned kungfu fighter. He is respected as the patron saint of both the martial arts and justice. Sometimes he has two other people with him: one is his adopted son; the other, his sword bearer.
On the walls you are also likely to find Chinese writing. Ask your teacher what the words mean: they are usually traditional phrases that are meant to inspire you as you train.
A kungfu school needs some rules to help everyone live and work happily together. As soon as you join a school, ask if they have a list of rules and read them carefully. Then try to follow them. Even if you fail, everyone will appreciate your effort.
How to Act in Class
Arrive on time.
Ask questions only at the appropriate time. Do not chatter during class. This means both during instruction and during training. After class is the time to make friends with your fellow students.
Do not eat or chew gum.
Wear only your uniform—don't wear a hat or sunglasses or rings or a watch or any other kind of jewelry. These things can get in the way, and possibly hurt you and anyone you work with.
Do not handle any of the equipment in the school until you are invited to or instructed to. Many schools have various kinds of weight training and muscle developing devices; leave them alone! You will be shown how to use them at the proper time.
Do not handle any weapons that do not belong to you. Most schools have racks of all kinds of weapons—staffs, swords, sabers, and chains—on display. They are all really cool, but (1) they are dangerous and (2) they do not belong to you! Leave them alone until you are instructed in how to use them.
(The time will come. Be patient!)
How to Act Toward Teachers
Show respect to your teachers at all times.
Whenever they give instruction, thank them—you may bow and/or give the salute in appreciation.
Do not ask the teacher to teach you something in particular, or to teach you more often or faster. Even though you may be eager to learn something new and you're sure you have mastered what you have been taught, or you are just tired of what you are practicing, you should wait. Your teacher has had many years of experience teaching; he knows what is best. So keep practicing and let him decide what you should learn and when.
How to Act Toward Fellow Students
Show respect to all of your fellow students, no matter how good or bad you think they are.
Do not correct or criticize other people—not to their face or behind their back. If you see someone else doing something that you think is wrong, do not correct him or her. Instead, ask an instructor to make sure that you are not doing something wrong.
Do not compare yourself or your progress with other students. Do not think poorly of those who seem to be worse than you. Similarly, do not show off. Neither of these attitudes will help you improve. No matter how well you are doing, there is someone who is better; no matter how poorly you think you are doing, there is someone even worse. To compare wastes time; just work hard.
As a new student, older students will help you. As an older student, you will be expected to help younger students.
How to Act in Public
Remember, you are a representative of your school: how you behave reflects on your teacher and your fellow students. If you bring shame on yourself, you bring shame on your school.
Do not brag, show off, or pick fights. Do not let people make you angry. An attack with words may be as painful as an attack with a fist, but a true martial artist avoids fighting. Learn to act in a way that will solve problems—and make your teacher proud of you. Remember, you are a representative of your school at all times.