![Traceur Zeno [Glasgow Parkour]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesIeIdEi7Tsyb5bWhAvb_o3bjm4Y94GjQbN1Ed1iQ3wN8LpnhNRh2FgS1M3r0ujAiqUR7rFXopo0xo-zkH7_p3fcGWtxKjVcbxqVPE_fYDk9sbTjqHfovSXSCLldc_6Z3e7B_TrpYyI01/s660/ZenoBlogTitle-05-05-08.jpg)
Giving Parkour the right impression to the public and the authority is very important. However the general public and authorities such as the Police, Security Guards and Neighbourhood Watch may be unaware that you are training for Parkour. And think that you are up to no good and are being a nuisance or being reckless.
So how do you educate the person watching you? How do you give a positive, respectful image to Parkour to the ones who think you are causing trouble?
A technique I do very often, such as when I see the likes of a security guard approaching is to drop to the ground and do 10 or more push ups. Why you say? Well the general person can identify with the push up, as a form of exercise, and then from that mental image are the positive connotations of strength fitness & discipline.
In a world where first impressions count, a positive impression of Parkour is important and so is the push up.
9/10 times this technique has worked for me, if I am told to move on, I look them in the eye, smile and say no problem – and move on. If you make lots of noise during your training or damage property then you cannot expect to get respect.
It is good when someone comes up to you, showing curiosity and asking nicely what you are doing - but for the ones who may judge you without a conversation, then visual communication is equally important. Show them you are strong and disciplined. That is the power of a push up.
Try it and see...
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6 comments:
Great idea Zeno! I regularly have a conversation with a woman in Arbroath who stopped to ask what I was doing and was surprised when I said I was playing and exercising at the same time. In the same way that people can associate with a press up, the way your actions are described can lighten the mood and give a better instant understanding of what you are doing.
Excellent! Now that I think of it this is the simple obvious solution. Thanks for sharing Zeno!
Maaz
thanks for the post :) I was having trouble with authorities and confused people too. They think I'm a threat to public property and don't understand that what I do is just a discipline. Police say we're just teenagers with mental problems as for other people, some say we're crazy and hate it when we're around but at least few people understand and enjoy watching us as we train. It's really hard to make people understand what parkour or free running really means but your solution is better than mine (I used to just run away to another training spot without saying anything) :D Next time I'll try to look more disciplined and resolve things more peacefully! :) good luck in your training, Zeno! :)
That's an interesting suggestion especially since here in Malaysia the security guards give us no respect at all and they often give us problems.
Brilliant. I'll remember this.
Simple but effective!
I like you common sense approach you use to stay out of trouble & respecting those that may approach you enough to promote Parkour in such a positive way : )
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