What are your thoughts on wearing hachimaki while training? I really like them, but ever since the Karate Kid donned a hachimaki, and Rambo tied his bit of rag, I don't know if here in the west they seem a bit cheesy looking?? If you went to check out a new dojo (not Japan), and the instructor was wearing a hachimaki, initial thoughts - would you think Karate Kid wannabe? or would you think serious practitioner? I'm talking initial thoughts here, so before you are aware of skill/knowledge level, etc...
Depends on the tradition being taught. If the tradition states that you wear it, you wear it. If not, it's up to you I guess. Most of the time in Japan, the wearing of hachimaki is reserved for formal embu and not in the dojo for keiko.