I started back in the early/mid 80's and we went full contact, no protection.  That "old school" style taught you 2 things:
1. Getting hit, kick, slapped, flipped, swept......   SUCKS!
2.  DEFENSE!

Now, through me in w/ people that have trained alwasy wearing a hogu and they cringe when I give them a good smack!  You see, I feel they can take it because they are wearing something protective, forgetting that they have never taken a full shot w/out the gear.  No one likes getting nailed w/ or w/out protection by a power shot.  But having the hogu on will keep you from being sent to the hospital. 

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Old enough to know better; Dumb enough to keep going!