tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370884568160752646.post3407968866819766045..comments2024-02-23T08:34:49.655-08:00Comments on My Tango Diaries: Behind your BackMarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08960763038363579526noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370884568160752646.post-13293697775652120552010-12-23T07:03:55.469-08:002010-12-23T07:03:55.469-08:00@TangoTherapist - thank you for your comments as a...@TangoTherapist - thank you for your comments as always. I'm finding, by talking to dancers all over the world, that when the local classes don't provide the sort of guidance a community needs, then it falls to the dancers in the community to create the experience they want to have. From what I've heard from folks in other cities, it's a long, slow process - but it can work. It takes patience, empathy, and the assumption that people want to do the right things. In Austin, the seeds have been planted - now it's up to each of us to support the change we want.<br /><br />@anonymous - As you said, it definitely can make a tremendous difference to the mood on the pista when even a few leaders make a point to do it. But even if you're the only one doing it, even when another leader cuts you off, or ignores you, when you try - it makes a big difference to your follower that you tried. If she's not familiar with the codigos, she may not even know why it feels different - it just feels safer. It lets her know, consciously or not, that dancing harmoniously with everyone else on the floor is a priority for you - and that helps keeps her safe.<br /><br />ADDENDUM: I think my tone, despite my best editing efforts, is still a bit shrill in this post - I apologize for that. And I didn't take the time to recognize the several leaders who are actually observing, and thereby promoting, this custom - I apologize for that also. I appreciate it so very much - far more than I can express at the time. <br /><br />Regarding some email I've received this morning, when I hear people make the assumption that dancers don't care to learn about floor craft, I think it can do a huge disservice to those dancers who would actually like to know - but simply don't know what they don't know. I hope that makes sense. How can anyone make an informed decision on a topic that they don't know exists? Floor craft and the subject of codigos may have to sneaked into other class topics, the way that Murat and Michelle did it - but it is possible to convey this information in a meaningful way.Marikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14195873941515232734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370884568160752646.post-70414517831679908672010-12-22T23:02:28.431-08:002010-12-22T23:02:28.431-08:00Thanks Mari, for bringing this ("the male cab...Thanks Mari, for bringing this ("the male cabeceo") to my attention. As a leader, I am somewhat embarrassed to admit I had never given this a lot of thought until I read one of your earlier posts. And I would also like to mention that the milonga I went to, shortly after reading your last post on this subject, and while it was fresh in my mind, was one of the most satisfying milongas I can ever remember attending... You are right, when enough people pay attention to details like this, it can change the feeling of an entire evening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370884568160752646.post-3890451632105317162010-12-22T22:21:33.715-08:002010-12-22T22:21:33.715-08:00Agree 100%. Another dimension is that women in DC...Agree 100%. Another dimension is that women in DC (like no other place I have dance)walk out onto the dance floor, leading the man and disregarding "traffic." I have learned to make sure that I have her on my arm. Then the second thing happen -- men not used to anyone being polite do not let me in. The mistake is caused by poor teaching. I was thinking that DC would have some culture to it. Although I am limited -- milongas (14 US Cities, 7 European Cities), I have never seen it as bad as DC. And the blame is squarely some teachers who fail to teach tango beyond steps -- including (and maybe especially)"famous" teachers, who teach eye-candy dancing that translates as anti-social dancing on a shared floor. //End of rant//Tango Therapisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com