2411  Role switching

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 01:57:57 -0700
From: Phil Seyer <philipseyer@ILOVEMUSIC.COM>
Subject: Role switching

Regarding role switching in dance, here's an interesting true story. In
Argentina, an instructor once divided a class into two groups: one for the
men and one for the ladies. But a man joined the ladies group. The
instructor tried to explain to him that he was in the wrong group. But he
replied: "No, I want to be in this group because my partner usually likes to
lead." The instructor understood and allowed him to take the class as a
follower.

I've noticed in some areas, the terms ladies and gentlemen are used when
perhaps the terms "followers" and "leaders" would be more accurate. In San
Francisco, at the Metronome ballroom teachers were instructed by the
director to always say "Leaders" and "Followers" rather than gentlemen and
ladies. But the instructors would often slip. Often as a joke the
instructors would say, "OK, all the men on this side of the room and the
gentlemen on the other."

In some dance classes it is, "all the ladies line up on this side of the
room and all the guys on the other." Gees. What if I want to study the
followers part? I'm often told by the women, "Hey, you're supposed to over
there." But usually, they quickly understand when I explain I am studying
the follower's part.

During mixers, it is especially clear: one line *must* be ladies; the other,
gentlemen. When the two lines meet, you pair off and dance with the luck of
the draw. I've never seen that a milonga, but I understand that mixers are
actually done at some American milongas, too.

OK, so when I hear "all the ladies line up on this side of the room," I
immediate want to defy that instruction. It must be my natural maverick
tendencies. Sometimes I really enjoy getting into what I view as the
"follower's" line. In nearly every case I'm waived off by the guys who
refuse to dance with me. But I don't mind, I just turn around and dance with
the lady in back of me. We have a good laugh about it.
=====
The definition of "maverick" in 1913 was
In the southwestern part of the united States, a bullock or
heifer that has not been branded, and is unclaimed or wild;
-- said to be from Maverick, the name of a cattle owner in
Texas who neglected to brand his cattle.

Recent meanings:
1.. [n] someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
2.. [adj] independent in behavior or thought; "she led a somewhat
irregular private life"; "maverick politicians"