Even in BJJ, there are factions and subsets (it's not enough to say you do jiu jitsu; people will want to know with whom). I used to dread those types of conversations before the UFC became so popular, too. While everyone got the idea of what karate was from movies in the 70s and 80s, I think most folks got the idea of jiu jitsu from MMA. Prior to this, it would take five minutes just to explain what I did. At least now I just have to troubleshoot false impressions!
I think that as the martial arts slide out of public consciousness the situation becomes more futile. My Kyudo friend says that when he gets asked he just tells people he does 'archery', that usually shuts them up, but if they press it further, he just says it's pointless to explain, just come to the Kyudojo and see for yourself.
I say yes i can kill with one punch and ive done it. That usually shuts people up.
Yikes
Even in BJJ, there are factions and subsets (it's not enough to say you do jiu jitsu; people will want to know with whom). I used to dread those types of conversations before the UFC became so popular, too. While everyone got the idea of what karate was from movies in the 70s and 80s, I think most folks got the idea of jiu jitsu from MMA. Prior to this, it would take five minutes just to explain what I did. At least now I just have to troubleshoot false impressions!
I think that as the martial arts slide out of public consciousness the situation becomes more futile. My Kyudo friend says that when he gets asked he just tells people he does 'archery', that usually shuts them up, but if they press it further, he just says it's pointless to explain, just come to the Kyudojo and see for yourself.
I like an answer that invokes mystery, and an appeal for them to do some of the heavy lifting (visit your dojo, EG) to learn about the art.