One of the guys in Sydney (Adam) doesn't compete (except in teams), but the girls queue up to dance with him and sigh "now
that's dancing" afterwards. I've got a second place trophy in a competition. Just you guess which dancer I'd rather be
Not sure why I enter comps. I'd be very very very surprised if I ever placed again, and I'm more keen now on interpretation than on flash moves, which handicaps me further for competition (unless I get really really good at it, but I'm not holding my breath). I like the idea of getting my dancing smoother and sharper, and a looming competition is good motivation for that. I like watching the comp, and competing is usually the only way to get a decent dance on the day of the comp (competitors get space to dance).
Looking down on someone is a pretty weak way of feeling better about yourself, and being a better competition dancer than someone is a pretty weak reason for looking down on them. I'm envious of the fabulous competition dancers, though, I'd love to look that sharp.