Be polite, be courteous,
show professionalism, and
have a plan to kill everyone in the room.
Gen. James Mattis
Many people misunderstand the concept behind this quote. To some, it sounds like something that a psychotic killer might say. But if you fall into that category, you are missing the point.
If your martial arts training is really what it should be, you already have a plan to kill anyone that might be in the room with you. If you are really well-trained in the dojo, then you will understand anatomy and the vulnerable points of the body. You will know how to kill or seriously injure someone. You will know how to use common, everyday things as weapons.
This doesn’t mean that you going around thinking about killing everyone, but you will have that capability. And you will, at times, see someone who you just get the feeling might be a danger, and almost automatically, you will visualize how to deal with him should he truly become a threat.
I would say, be polite, be courteous, but know for 100% that you know how to take down anyone in the room, should that become a necessity. If you are not sure, then you are not ready.
