[jenilopaz]

I think part of the difference is how you are made to feel if you're no good. In "normal" sports at school, being picked last was always a real humiliation. In comparison, most people who do Kendo are very encouraging to novices, and are very aware of their own limitations and quite humble. (I'm sure there are exceptions...). Even Shodan or Nidan players tend to start conversations with "don't worry, I'm not very good at Kendo either".

The shame in school sports is how you're treated. I was rubbish at football, cricket etc so always got bad grades, even though I tried hard. I was later allowed to do badminton, at which I was pretty good - suddenly I get good grades, even though it was a breeze in comparison.....



Dave