[Tango-L] Buenos Aires - Milonga Codes

[Sergio Vandekier]

Every code has an important reason to exist, some times more than one; that reason may only exist in Argentina and in this case the code is not understood or necessary abroad .  If you are a lady who comes to the milonga alone, you have to be perceived as unattached for  men to ask you to dance.  You show this condition by entering the milonga alone or in company of other women, greeting briefly some friends, men and ladies; a kiss on the cheek is no problem. You sit alone or in company of other ladies. You do not talk to a particular man. You accept the dance with cabeceo and stand up waiting for the man to come close to your table or walk towards him and meet halfway. When a tango ends and while you wait for the next one to start, this is the only chance you have to chat with that particular man. The conversation could be an invitation to a cup of coffee after the dance or about the weather.  In case of a date, both the man and the woman wish to keep the "unattached condition" (for the time being) and therefore they leave the milonga alone as they came. They meet later in certain place described during the "chat". Another reason for the rest (talking or not) in between pieces of music, is that a good tango dancer has the need to wait for a moment to get the feeling of the music before he starts to dance. The same as when he arrives to the milonga, he must sit and relax for a while, absorbing the ambiance, studying his posibilities in reference to possible dancing partners, perhaps having a drink, etc., before he starts dancing.  The conversation we are discussing is very brief, a few seconds, the duration depends on when the couple in front of you starts moving, it does (it should) not disrupt the ronda at all. Best regards,  Sergio