[Tango-L] Milonga 101 -- leaving the floor at the end of a tanda

[Janis Kenyon]

It's surprising how many men in the milongas turn around and walk the other
way when a tanda ends, leaving women on the floor.  They either haven't
observed proper ballroom dance etiquette or are too lazy to accompany the
woman to the edge of the floor.  Unfortunately, this isn't usually discussed
in classes; many teachers don't practice this themselves.

Men need to be reminded.  I was amazed when I saw a friend of mine, who has
years of experience in the milongas, constantly leave women in the middle of
the floor at the end of a tanda.  He seemed to be opting out for the
shortest distance to his table, rather than escorting a woman back to where
he met her on the floor.  Often he was seated before the woman reached her
table.  Last night the woman seated next to me returned alone practically
every tanda.  That says something about her choice of partners.

There are gentlemen in Buenos Aires.  It is common practice by milongueros
to hold the woman's upper arm or place their hand on her back while
escorting her to the edge of the floor.  There is no handholding or hand on
her shoulder by the man unless he is seated with his partner.

As any milonguero will tell you, it isn't necessary to say "thank-you"
because you made a mutual agreement to dance together.  If you danced to the
end of the tanda, mutual enjoyment is understood.  Nothing needs to be said.

Janis
www.ToTango.net/milongueros.html