1274 Tips on tango etiquette?
Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 10:10:08 -0400
From: Alysa Hunton <hunton@OAKLAND.EDU>
Subject: Tips on tango etiquette?
First off, thank you so much to all who responded to my earlier plea on
help with nervousness. The advice was really appreciated! And many of the
things people wrote come to me while I'm on the dance floor and help
alleviate my nervousness a bit.
Now I am back for more advice: I have had four lessons now and have come
across a rather delicate problem that I am sure at least some of you must
have encountered at some time. At the studio where I dance I am often
paired by my instructor with a man who, while he is an incredible dancer
and a lovely person, has the worst case of halitosis that I've ever
encountered. It really is affecting my learning because then not only do I
have to concentrate on following, the steps, my legs, and listening to the
music, but also I have to hold my breath the whole time!! Perhaps this
topic has already been covered in the archives (if there is one)?
I suppose I will hear that I will eventually have to say something to him,
I imagine, but I am looking for the right words, or some easier painless
way. I would never want to hurt his feelings, he seems very nice, plus he
is the best leader in the class.
Thank you in advance,
Alysa
Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 09:45:34 -0700
From: Ed Loomis <TangoBear@OSBTOWN.COM>
Subject: Re: Tips on tango etiquette?
Hello Alysa,
The ladies don't seem to have the halitosis problem as often as men so
I don't have to deal with the problem often, although it does happen. In
our community we consider Altoids a tango staple and keep an open tin of
them available at most events. You might consider buying a small tin of
Altoids that will fit easily in a pocket and keeping them on you in class.
When paired with "dragon-breath" take them out and have one yourself then,
while the tin is still open, offer them to him. If he tries to suggest that
he doesn't need one you can gently suggest that maybe he does. If that
doesn't work arrange for a small bottle of mouthwash to appear in his dance
bag anonymously. Remember the "Scope" commercials on TV? This assumes that
you are not the only lady in class pondering this problem and can recruit
co-conspirators if necessary. If he is bright enough to lead tango well he
will have gotten the message by this time. If not, you are going to have to
either hurt his feelings or practice holding your breath under water to
increase your endurance. Good luck and best wishes. Ciao...........
Osito
On Mon, 12 May 2003 10:10:08 -0400, Alysa Hunton <hunton@OAKLAND.EDU>
wrote:
>Now I am back for more advice: I have had four lessons now and have come
>across a rather delicate problem that I am sure at least some of you must
>have encountered at some time. At the studio where I dance I am often
>paired by my instructor with a man who, while he is an incredible dancer
>and a lovely person, has the worst case of halitosis that I've ever
>encountered. It really is affecting my learning because then not only do I
>have to concentrate on following, the steps, my legs, and listening to the
>music, but also I have to hold my breath the whole time!! Perhaps this
>topic has already been covered in the archives (if there is one)?
>
>I suppose I will hear that I will eventually have to say something to him,
>I imagine, but I am looking for the right words, or some easier painless
>way. I would never want to hurt his feelings, he seems very nice, plus he
>is the best leader in the class.
>
>Thank you in advance,
>Alysa
Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 10:37:40 -0700
From: Tango Guy <tangomundo55@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Tips on tango etiquette?
Dear Alysa, This can be a problem. Usually persons with bad breath don't know it. I sometimes wonder if I have bad breath and don't know. Of course I brush and floss my teeth everyday and before every social event. I also use mouthwash and a lot of mints! I go to a dentist on a regular basis. But I still wonder at times if I have bad breath. But no one ever tells me. In the past, I have asked people and they say no. But out of a false sense of politeness, they could be lying to me. If I have bad breath, I would like someone to tell me with a great amount of kindness and diplomacy. After all, if I have bad breath, how many women avoid dancing with me because of it? But with all I do and still have bad breath, what else can one do? O course, I don't really worry about it that much but perhaps I should. The teacher you are talking about may have fewer students because of his bad breath. So if you were to tell him, you may be doing him a real big favor. I have heard that one possible cause of halitosis is th
e continual long-term use of a lot of mouthwash with alcohol. Another possible cause I have heard about are mints with sugar in them. Perhaps if you assure him that you are indeed his friend (to prevent him possibly feeling rejected and therefore hurt) and suggest he use alcohol free mouthwash and sugarless mints, it may work. (I would suggest 'Icebreakers.' They are sugarfree and stronger then Altoids) Bad breath can also be caused by tooth decay, gum desease and loose fitting dentures. Perhaps he should go to a dentist. The dentist surely can do something. Telling him may help. Who knows? If he is a great guy and a great dancer and leader, you two might even partner up someday! Not telling him means that you will either have to suffer or hold your breath or give up the tango lessons. He may be losing students and have a reduced income because of it. Somehow tango and bad breath don't go together, do they? What do you want to do? SmilesTango Guy
Alysa Hunton <hunton@OAKLAND.EDU> wrote:First off, thank you so much to all who responded to my earlier plea on
help with nervousness. The advice was really appreciated! And many of the
things people wrote come to me while I'm on the dance floor and help
alleviate my nervousness a bit.
Now I am back for more advice: I have had four lessons now and have come
across a rather delicate problem that I am sure at least some of you must
have encountered at some time. At the studio where I dance I am often
paired by my instructor with a man who, while he is an incredible dancer
and a lovely person, has the worst case of halitosis that I've ever
encountered. It really is affecting my learning because then not only do I
have to concentrate on following, the steps, my legs, and listening to the
music, but also I have to hold my breath the whole time!! Perhaps this
topic has already been covered in the archives (if there is one)?
I suppose I will hear that I will eventually have to say something to him,
I imagine, but I am looking for the right words, or some easier painless
way. I would never want to hurt his feelings, he seems very nice, plus he
is the best leader in the class.
Thank you in advance,
Alysa
