2567 Preying on Beginners
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 16:49:19 -0500
From: Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown@DAL.FRB.ORG>
Subject: Preying on Beginners
Charles wrote:
>As you can see novice teachers are rampant, but thankfully a minority.
>There is something about learning a few tango steps that cries out to
>the fragile male ego.
In my observation, men do not have a monopoly in acting like wannabe
teachers. I have seen both men and women who specialize in scooping up
novice dancers and telling them how to dance. At first the beginners are
flattered by the friendly attention, but gradually they realize that no
one else dances with these self-appointed instructors. Even if we are
able to prevent such behavior at milongas (by discouraging teaching
there), wannabe teachers can have negative effects at practicas.
In addition, wannabe teachers do not have a monopoly in teaching at
milongas. There are also instructors, male and female, who troll milongas
with the intent of recruiting new students. In addition to dancing with
their current students in proportion to the number of private lessons
taken, these instructors typically dance with beginners and offer a few
pointers to show prospective students what great teaching is available.
The little bit of attention and a sense of learning is sometimes enough to
attract a student.
With best regards,
Steve
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 15:09:33 -0700
From: Michael <michael@TANGOBELLINGHAM.COM>
Subject: Re: Preying on Beginners
Stephen Brown wrote:
> In my observation, men do not have a monopoly in acting like wannabe
> teachers. I have seen both men and women who specialize in scooping up
> novice dancers and telling them how to dance. At first the beginners are
> flattered by the friendly attention, but gradually they realize that no
> one else dances with these self-appointed instructors. Even if we are
> able to prevent such behavior at milongas (by discouraging teaching
> there), wannabe teachers can have negative effects at practicas.
Amen, brother! How do *you* handle the wannabees at practicas? (aside
from breaking small bones in the hands and feet...)
>There are also instructors, male and female, who troll milongas
> with the intent of recruiting new students.
Dang, Stephen! That sort of thing used to be a hanging offense in Texas!
Michael (born in Dallas, raised in Tyler)
Tango Bellingham
www.tangobellingham.com
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2004 00:13:28 +0000
From: Oleh Kovalchuke <oleh_k@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Preying on Beginners
Stephen Brown wrote:
>Even if we are able to prevent such behavior at milongas (by discouraging
>teaching there), wannabe teachers can have negative effects at practicas.
I thought that practicas were specifically for this kind of behavior -
dancers show (teach) each other new steps or create new steps and practice
them. I personally do not do that (we do not have enough people for regular
practicas in Colorado Springs) but I understand how this could be useful.
Oleh de Colorado Springs
https://TangoSpring.com
