When annoying men try to teach on the dance floor (and yes, I know women do this too), I have found I have a limit to my politeness. When one French man informed me that I had anticipated a step, I said nothing, but when he REPEATED it at the end of the tanda: "You anticipated one step." One step in the tanda!! I am afraid I told him that it was rude to criticize on the dance floor, and that I had not said anything about his mistakes, but rather, had fixed them. Grrr.
The other rude man--as opposed to those who are trying to be helpful--was at Nino Bien. An awful Argentine dancer hauled me around the floor, and then suggested I go to La Viruta to learn that style of dance. It was obvious he didn't care whether I was enjoying the dance, and he didn't bother try to adjust at all: he just pulled me in tighter and higher, until I could barely keep my feet on the floor. I smiled at him and told him that good technique works with everyone, and walked away. Grrr.
I have taught dance for 25 years, and I would never dream of saying things like that to another dancer while dancing socially!!! Shame on them.
I've been dancing tango for, um, ten years or so.
When I started I oft times would comment about my follow's technique or aspects of her dance repertoire, or mine. Now I never do this.
Why?
I've come to realize its all about the beautiful experience between the two dancers - and nothing else. Is the experience always perfect? No. But making comments about the negative parts is not beneficial - one must always refer to the ecstatic movements shared - for that is where the beauty is.
Teaching on the floor? Suggestions to a follower? DUMB.
Posted by: = Rich Rodriguez = | 04 March 2012 at 10:21 AM
I am still recovering from a similar incident on the tango dance floor. As a fairly good beginner I had been out for 3 months because of injury, desperate to get back on the tango floor I went ( probably before my injury was ready ) to a milonga. I was new to the area and didnt know anyone and I went on my own. Eventualy a guy asked me to dance. In the small talk before the dance began I told him I was a beginner and had not been dancing for 3 months because of a knee injury. He proceeded to show me how fabulous he was with his fancy moves and left me after one dance after slating me about my dance ability. His comments nearly made me cry and I went straight home, it was 10pm ! Whilst I know his comments were bang out of order ( even if correct at the time) they have left me with a complete phobia about milongas or rather dancing with strangers. I am back at tango and my injury is much better which means I can concentrate on my dancing and not about the pain in my knee. I will eventually go to milonga again but I dont think i will ever go to that venue again.
Posted by: Julie Jenkins | 15 February 2012 at 12:14 PM
That's a good question, Jill! I suppose that I expect people to be polite, no matter what their level of dance is. I don't expect strangers to be rude, as I try not to be rude myself. Ah, well, at least I don't have to dance with him again! There were a lot more nice people than rude people; just like in the rest of the world. Miss you out dancing!
Posted by: Elizabeth | 19 December 2011 at 03:55 PM
So why would you expect bad dancers to be polite people?
Posted by: Jill Feldstein | 12 December 2011 at 08:33 AM