5. When You Visit
When visiting for the first time, call ahead to make sure if and when visitors are welcome. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to ask about proper protocol also. Some schools have shoe racks on the way in the door where you should leave your shoes; some ask that you bow in the doorway when you enter; some ask that you stand during opening/closing ceremonies; etc.
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• When visiting for the first time, wear normal casual attire • Be polite and respectful • Be quiet during class; don’t do anything to draw attention to you while the class is in progress • Get there early, and stay afterwards so you can ask questions |
Don’t discuss other schools. If you cannot avoid the subject altogether, then at least don’t say anything derogatory about another school.
Don’t try to impress them with your (limited) knowledge of different styles and your (equally limited) vocabulary of foreign words (especially if you’re using the wrong foreign language for the art).