2875  I wonder

Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2004 04:10:19 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: I wonder

People that dance Salon Style ( open, close embrace or alternating the
embrace ), do that, dance happily. Should a couple come to the club and
dance milonguero this does not bother them, if another couple dances nuevo,
it does not bother them. They are happy, contented with the way they dance.
They do not compare, they do not criticize, they enjoy themselves. They
respect everybody.

People that dance Nuevo tango have a similar aproach to the dance, tolerance
for other couples dancing other styles and feeling content, an sure of their
dancing identity.

Now let's read a fragment of one of many notes written by Michael Figart II
on this topic.

He talks about floor craft:
"Clay, the worst offenders by far, (in my experience in Houston and
Denver), are the hot-shots; the experienced dancers who seem to think
that they have a "tango-god" given right to dance anywhere they please,
anytime they want. It's very easy to recognize a beginner's inadvertent
"bump" from an advanced dancer's downright rude disregard for those
around him. The first bothers me none at all, and the second is
infuriating. And I've had plenty of the second, even in Denver, where
floorcraft is highlighted, from some of the supposed "best", who told me
that they just got "lost in the music and their partner". Poppycock
(read; bullshit)."

When he is bumped by a beginner this does not offend him, but if an advanced
dancer touches him he gets furious.

I have been dancing regularly for more than 10 years.
I was in Denver recently, I can asure you that nobody bumped into me, they
have perfect navigation skills.
I have not seen advanced dancers to bump into anybody unless the
inexperienced ones get in the middle and cause a collision.

You can be very skilled driving your car but somebody else can crash against
you.

Michael continues:

"BUT, like I said, in my experience, the very worst infractions are
perpetrated by those who should know better, those who've been dancing
for years, and seem to think they own the dance floor;"

What I do not understand is that if they are advanced dancers they are
rude, inconsiderate and bump into people?.
So either they are not advanced as they seem to be and should learn how to
navigate and respect the milonga codes or else .... there is a certain
resentment (I could be wrong) directed to those that are experienced
dancers. Those that know how to dance.

Dancers of pure milonguero style behave in Argentina the same as described
above in reference to those that dance salon or nuevo, they are happy,
contented, sure of what they wish to do and where they want to go. they do
not criticize, they do not compare, they are tolerant.

It is here in USA that "some people" like Michael or Teo continuously point
to the fact that Milonguero is better, it is the only style where you
respect your partner and everyone else, where you lead, where you navigate
properly, and follow the milonga codes,etc,etc,. The others are felons,
that should not exist, they show off, are rude and annoy you.

Could it be that there is a certain degree of envy. Some sort of inferiority
complex?

Here we have the case of a dancer of limited experience (about three years
of dancing tango) telling everybody else how they should or how they should
not dance.

Summary: Once more, every style has its virtues and its defects, none is
superior to the others, dance as you wish, do not compare, do not criticize,
enjoy yourself. Should you continue to be intolerant I suggest that you
create a club limited to those that dance milonguero close embrace like
you, go to places where that style is danced, and avoid other clubs. Should
this fail to cure your inferiority complex go to remedial school or
psychotherapy. :))

Nirvana to everyone.