Courtesy

Here is an essay on courtesy
by Susan Hixon
Writing it was a requirement for promotion to yellow belt

Polished manners and the "magic words" please and thank you first come to mind when one thinks of courtesy. "Being polite to one another" is indeed an essential element of courtesy. For the students and practitioners of Taekwondo, however, courtesy is part of an art.

The first tenet of Taekwondo; courtesy should be learned and practiced in aspects that go beyond conventional politeness. It is in courtesy that the Taekwondo student allows others to enter her personal sphere of safety and well being, as in sparring situations, for the shared benefit of learning and experience and "To promote a spirit of mutual concession".

"To be ashamed of one's vice contempting that of others" is courtesy in which the student is humble in her shortcomings as well as in her accomplishments; not indulging in fault-finding or resent towards the imperfections and successes of others.

Courtesy demands the Taekwondo student show respect in a manner "To distinguish instructor from student and senior from junior". By "encouraging a sense of justice"; by being fair and kind to all, in life and in the classroom; by practicing all of the elements of courtesy the student lays the foundation for the remaining tenets of integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit.

Here is another essay on courtesy by the same writer as a red belt.
It was done as part of a test.

Revisiting the subject of courtesy what is most profound is not that my view of courtesy has changed so much as it has expanded.

I still hold the view that conventional politeness, being the most basic and obvious aspect of courtesy, is just one essential element of the formula. I continue to believe that the courtesy extended by one martial arts student to another for the shared benefit of learning is a key element. The courtesy of respect shown to distinguish instructor from student and senior from junior is also key.

With a broader view of courtesy it should be added that courtesy needs to be extended by the martial artist beyond the dojang to the people who are close to him or her, such as spouse, children, parents, friends & co-workers. The continuing venture of learning, physical conditioning, spiritual seeking and growth affects great change upon the martial arts student. Often these changes are not accepted by family and friends with an equivalent degree of ardor and passion as they are by the developing martial artist. It may be difficult accepting the fact that the good and positive attributes fostered by learning a martial art do not necessarily provide the same happiness to all those who care about the student. This is where courtesy helps maintain a clear perspective in maintaining important relationships.

As it should not be expected by the martial artist that everyone will grasp with enthusiasm all of the his or her ideas and ideals so should it also not be expected that the martial artist give up any of those principles.

With this in mind I add that the same courtesy extended toward others should also be extended by the martial to his or her own self. By this I mean that the student should not allow adverse opinions, lack of support or indifference to discourage, delay or distract from the exploration and development of his or her limitations and self awareness. In such manner the student may be courteous to his or her self and others; by exercising tolerance while continuing to persevere in the endeavor for personal growth and discovery.