4310  illusion of good dancing

Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 14:20:20 -0500
From: "Melanie Eskoff" <melanieeskoff@austin.rr.com>
Subject: [Tango-L] illusion of good dancing
To: <tango-l@mit.edu>

Someone said: "The feeling the guy gives the girl is by definition tango reality,
not at all illusion. Why do you seek to belittle it?"

When I was a little girl, like many other lucky little girls, I got to "dance" on my fathers toes. It was thrilling and I really connected with my father. Did I know how to dance?

I have a girlfriend who went on vacation and met a great guy who danced with her for hours one night. She has never studied dance, but this dude made her feel like she knew what she was doing. I think he got lucky that night, but....can she dance?

I can lead a beginner who dosen't even know what the cross or an ocho is, and use lots of rhythm and musicality to give her a thrill. She can't figure out why it dosen't go so well with other leaders. Is she a good dancer?

NO NO NO It's fun, it feels good, yes, it's a wonderful gift, but is it good dancing....NO.

Then this person says: "Or she may just accept those other men aren't good enough to give her
that feeling. Knowing that her taking classes to make up for guys'
shortcomings would just deteriorate rather that improve her dancing."

Unfreakingbelievable!!!! I'm glad you have such a great time showing uneducated female a good time, but the skill required in dancing is something most of the people on this list "work" (hate to call it that since it's so much fun, but) at, and it does improve the quality of what we (males and females) can offer others. If taking classes deteriorates rather than improves, you should suggest she change teachers, not condem learning.

ME

Date: Mon, 29 May 2006 00:36 +0100 (BST)
From: "Chris, UK" <tl2@chrisjj.com>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] illusion of good dancing
Cc: tl2@chrisjj.com

"Melanie Eskoff" <melanieeskoff@austin.rr.com> wrote:

> When I was a little girl, like many other lucky little girls, I got
> to "dance" on my fathers toes. It was thrilling and I really
> connected with my father. Did I know how to dance?

Yup.

> I have a girlfriend who went on vacation and met a great guy who
> danced with her for hours one night. She has never studied dance,
> but this dude made her feel like she knew what she was doing. I
> think he got lucky that night, but....can she dance?

Yup.

> I can lead a beginner who dosen't even know what the cross or an ocho
> is, and use lots of rhythm and musicality to give her a thrill. She
> can't figure out why it dosen't go so well with other leaders. Is
> she a good dancer?

Clue: despite having had no classes in cross, ocho etc. she danced with
rhythm and musicality and got a thrill out of it.

Answer: Yup.

> the skill required in dancing is something most of the people on this
> list "work" at

Had you considered that might be because they are leaders?

> NO NO NO... is it good dancing....NO.

And that few of them feel the need to heap sour grapes on the enjoyment
of their partners?

Chris

-------- Original Message --------

*Subject:* [Tango-L] illusion of good dancing
*From:* "Melanie Eskoff" <melanieeskoff@austin.rr.com>
*To:* <tango-l@mit.edu>
*Date:* Wed, 24 May 2006 14:20:20 -0500

Someone said: "The feeling the guy gives the girl is by definition
tango reality,
not at all illusion. Why do you seek to belittle it?"

When I was a little girl, like many other lucky little girls, I got to
"dance" on my fathers toes. It was thrilling and I really connected
with my father. Did I know how to dance?

I have a girlfriend who went on vacation and met a great guy who danced
with her for hours one night. She has never studied dance, but this
dude made her feel like she knew what she was doing. I think he got
lucky that night, but....can she dance?

I can lead a beginner who dosen't even know what the cross or an ocho
is, and use lots of rhythm and musicality to give her a thrill. She
can't figure out why it dosen't go so well with other leaders. Is she a
good dancer?

NO NO NO It's fun, it feels good, yes, it's a wonderful gift, but is
it good dancing....NO.

Then this person says: "Or she may just accept those other men aren't
good enough to give her
that feeling. Knowing that her taking classes to make up for guys'
shortcomings would just deteriorate rather that improve her dancing."

Unfreakingbelievable!!!! I'm glad you have such a great time showing
uneducated female a good time, but the skill required in dancing is
something most of the people on this list "work" (hate to call it that
since it's so much fun, but) at, and it does improve the quality of
what we (males and females) can offer others. If taking classes
deteriorates rather than improves, you should suggest she change
teachers, not condem learning.

ME