[Tango-L] la dulce vita

[Jeff Gaynor]

Nina Pesochinsky wrote:

>Great points, Sean!
>
>I have observed that American men, in general (with exceptions, of 
>course) seem to prefer to appear casual and "down-to-earth" instead 
>of dashing and debonaire.  It shows in tango.  Why do you think this 
>is?  Is it the historical heritage of the country?  Is it the pop culture?
>  
>
Historically the emphasis in the US has been on the common folk and 
democracy here is a reflection of that. A strong strain of American 
thinking that goes back to the Revolutionary War is against such dandies 
and nobility. Elitism was frowned upon until recently although now it is 
becoming much more fashionable. For instance, no longer do the liberals 
in this country make even a pretense of liking the working classes, 
which is a huge change from a few decades ago. They tend to lump them 
all together as rednecks and get the vapors while talking about them. 
Much anti-Americanism abroad is also aimed squarely at this facet of our 
thinking and many times the US is portrayed as being run by a bunch of 
cowboys or other illiterate yobs. Factually this is incorrect and it 
maybe argued that the US has generally excellent public and private 
management, or we wouldn't be so successful. That is another chat though.

Now, for a long time I used to believe that women were all for equality. 
I now realize they are dirty rotten liars. ;o> [Lemma 'splain before you 
get your knickers in a knot that I do support equality of women in the 
workplace and society. I'm discussing interpersonal relations here. I'm 
putting this comment here so *when* I get quoted out of context I can 
tell you that you are idiots who can't read. Be warned.] What I mean is 
that equality brings with it anonymity -- if we are truly equal then 
there is really no distinction between us, is there? "Discrimination" in 
this context is being able to tell people apart from one another. Women 
(and men!) do not want this in their personal relationships. Women want 
to be treated as the unique people they are. Men want a women that makes 
the world stop for them. So, in tango I agree that the normal  American 
egalitarian ideas tend to go against the grain. Part of the flavor is 
treating the ladies well, not like a truck driver, and having them 
reciprocate.

$.02

Jeff G