[Tango-L] illusion of good dancing

[Chris, UK]

"Melanie Eskoff" <melanieeskoff at 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 at austin.rr.com>
*To:* <tango-l at 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





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