tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489977357310651356.post1969706777257148252..comments2007-06-13T21:02:15.972-07:00Don Baarns - Unlikely Salserohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06312061855724975322noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489977357310651356.post-75292406791072224442007-06-13T21:02:00.000-07:002007-06-13T21:02:00.000-07:00P.S. Thanks for the gigantic, bold font, btw. I likey.salsamamanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489977357310651356.post-49952138589466248332007-06-13T20:51:00.000-07:002007-06-13T20:51:00.000-07:00The root: Dudes don't dance with other dudes, so unless they are truly seasoned dancers, they have no idea that something that LOOKS great from afar might not be even remotely related to how something FEELS up close. <BR/><BR/>Sort of like movie kisses. No matter how romantic they look on the screen, pan out and you see that they are not even kissing directly on the lips because if you do that you can't see both actors faces, and there are a dozen or more crew members around doing various distracting technical things, and actually the actors themselves have only known each other a week and a half and there is NO chemistry. They're just good actors.<BR/><BR/>A poor lead who looks good has the benefit of being a convincing performer. And if his follow manages looks good, too, she should win an Oscar.<BR/><BR/>[Note: On further review, this explanation is pretty harsh on leads! I didn't intend it to be! But I still stand by my analogy. The minutiae that occur during a partner dance are lost in the "big picture", which is what we see from the sidelines, and therefore what is a great show isn’t necessarily a great ride.]salsamamanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489977357310651356.post-79672214617024561102007-06-13T10:45:00.000-07:002007-06-13T10:45:00.000-07:00Maybe... But new dancers are always entering the scene. I doubt it will every completely go away, people still drive crazy even if some have accidents. (I never think it will happen to me...)<BR/><BR/>Why: If a guy gets attention from his friends he will do something similar next time. Having my friends tell me how great I am makes me feel good. In the social scene few people say anything negative to other dancers, they point out what they like. (I do the same.)<BR/><BR/>It will only change if enough people around them understand the way it should work. Ladies shouldn't dance with these guys much, but even that won't solve the issue as they will grab a beginner and do the same thing, thinking they are impressing her and those around her.<BR/><BR/>Musicians have this same issue... a new guy thinks playing 1000 notes will impress everybody. Someone he respects pulls him aside and clues him in... Once he is aware he tends to settle down and start maturing. But that is an ongoing process and never eliminates those who don't know they don't know.<BR/><BR/>I don't have the direct answer, so all thoughts on getting to the root are welcomed!Don Baarns - Unlikely Salserohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06312061855724975322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489977357310651356.post-54620536889339273542007-06-13T01:12:00.000-07:002007-06-13T01:12:00.000-07:00*sigh*<BR/>Another follow chimes in.<BR/><BR/>I do appreciate hearing this repeated again from an instructor who is clearly sensitive to the issue.<BR/><BR/>But do you think we'll ever get to the root of why this has to be repeated and repeated, generation of dancers after generation of dancers, again and again and again and again and AGAIN????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489977357310651356.post-30123431451646868982007-06-09T09:56:00.000-07:002007-06-09T09:56:00.000-07:00Oh wow. As a female, this entire post gets a "Hallelujah, brother!" from me!!! <BR/><BR/>And the "HINT: It's a partner dance!!" comment deserves a post all by itself. In a gigantic, bold font. With rainbow colors or something. <BR/><BR/>I have danced with too many partners (and I use the term loosely in this case) who literally leave me hanging out there, as if I had been waiting all night for them to take me out to the dance floor just so I could see how fancy their feet are. Or they drag me through a series of moves that they have mastered, yet which leave me gasping for air like a drowning swimmer. And all the while they do it with a self-congratulatory smirk on their face. Ugh.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Don. The blog still rocks. Still sending folks here.salsamamanoreply@blogger.com