Class etiquette

[DavidB]

Originally posted by Franck
I wonder what the proper etiquette would be during a class when partners are rotated... Do you introduce yourself, do you say hi? Do you say nothing but smile? Do you run?
Do you find you have taken your partnerÕs hand immediately and then the teacher is taking ages to get started...
Do you comment on your partnerÕs progress?

Introducing yourself seems to depend on where you are. You rarely get anything more than a smile in London, but I must have had 20 introductions in a beginners class in Edinburgh last year.

I always take my partners hand, and then try to politely let go when I realise the teacher isn't going to let us dance.

I never comment on my partner's dancing in a class unless she asks me, or has a really confused look on her face. But most people now seem to say in advance where they are having problems.

Other questions:
- When you ask a lady to dance, do you take her hand as you walk onto the floor. (Usually I do)
- Do you escort her off the floor after finishing? (I don't - most ladies seem to be immediately looking for their next partner, and escorting her off the floor just wastes time!)
- Do you interrupt someone's conversation to ask them to dance? (Only if I know them)
- Do you expect to dance with someone for only one song? Or two? (usually 2)
- Would you ask someone to dance even if you hate the song? (No, but I am lazy)

David

[John McAulay]

One of the few benefits of taxi dancing is you get to know many of the new lady members
One of the down sides is I should remember more of their names

This is where I have to confess! :sorry
In the past IÕve given ladies nicknames
There was Bob the builder- this was a lady who was stronger than me and let me know it with her hard not to follow lead
Tigger Ð A lady who instead of travelling at the one level, bounced between the moves.
She now dances very well but to me she will always be tigger. Bob does not dance in Aberdeen any more.

To my point,
It would be nice if people took time where possible to introduce themselves during rotation in class.
When ever I dance with a lady IÕve met as a beginner, I complement their improvement where possible

[John McAulay]

DavidB questions:

- When you ask a lady to dance, do you take her hand as you walk onto the floor.
(Usually I do, easy way to start dancing is to throw her hand into a spin)

- Do you escort her off the floor after finishing?
(most times. unless I spot my next victim, then I thank them and pounce!)

- Do you interrupt someone's conversation to ask them to dance?
(Yes, theres always time for women to talk about nothing)

- Do you expect to dance with someone for only one song? Or two?
(1 so many women so little time)

- Would you ask someone to dance even if you hate the song?
(No, dry off, get some water, but if asked will dance to anything, but only if asked)

I cant do the quote thing, so this is as good as it gets

regards

[Emma]

Originally posted by Franck
Do you introduce yourself, do you say hi? Do you say nothing but smile? Do you run?
Do you find you have taken your partnerÕs hand immediately and then the teacher is taking ages to get started...
Do you comment on your partnerÕs progress?

Ooh...loads of questions!

At one of the venues I go to (in London) the teacher always reminds us to introduce ourselves. Consequently I got to know people a lot quicker. It was a surprise to go to another venue and find that the introducing wasn't happening, so I now try to make a point of introducing myself if I don't know the person. Sometimes people kiss one another. I knew I was a regular when I started getting kisses! (which I now think of as bisous, by the way...!)

I do always tend to offer my hand immediately..sometimes then I extract it if the teaching is taking a while, especially if it's being rubbed, which some men seem to do without realising.
The only time I ever comment on someone's progress is if they say they having a struggle. Then I always try to say something encouraging.
-Do I interrupt someone's conversation to ask for a dance? Occcasionally, if I really really want to dance with them, and I know them .
-I only ever expect to dance with someone for one song, and consider it a compliment if I'm asked to dance for another one!
-I would hardly ever ask to dance with someone if I hated the song, but I would be very unlikely to refuse a dance because I hated a song.

[Emma]

Originally posted by John McAulay
- Do you interrupt someone's conversation to ask them to dance?
(Yes, theres always time for women to talk about nothing)

Whereas men, obviously, are always having IMPORTANT conversations about IMPORTANT stuff!

[Amanda]

Originally posted by John McAulay

(Yes, theres always time for women to talk about nothing)

OOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Amanda

[Graham]

Originally posted by Emma

I do always tend to offer my hand immediately..sometimes then I extract it if the teaching is taking a while, especially if it's being rubbed, which some men seem to do without realising.

Yeah, right. Old chancers more like.

Obviously John is tired of living.

[Amanda]

Originally posted by Graham

Obviously John is tired of living.

Why don't you come up to Culter on Tuesday Graham and see the fallout for yourself. It won't be a pretty sight.

John is going to be mobbed by a tide of women .... And that's a promise. Put the date in your diary now.

Amanda

[Graham]

Originally posted by Lou
Actually - that's the most annoying thing ever. In class, when someone is always looking at the teachers & never looks you in the eye. :reallymad

You should try leading to someone who is doing that (perhaps you have). As they ignore what you're doing and drift off in the other direction so they can keep their eyes on the teacher it can be really difficult not to say something like "Actually, you might find it a bit easier if you JUST FOLLOWED MY LEAD!!!!!" :reallymad :reallymad :reallymad

The other thing I find it hard not to point out in classes is when they follow instructions intended for the leader (eg making a signal).

Anyway, in freestyle I definitely prefer my partner to look at me at least occasionally. Pronounced avoidance of eye contact I interpret as meaning she isn't enjoying the dance, so I won't ask her again.

[John McAulay]

Tierd of Living - NOT

Mobbed by a tide of women- I can swim like a fish (bring it on)

Emma- Get a life - Blokes are too shallow to be bothered

Amanda- Are you testing our Friendship, by leading a revolt!

Next!

regards

[Steven]

I couldn't agree more Graham although I often don't say anything.

Aberdeen looks like it could be lively tuesday!!

Cheers

[Emma]

Originally posted by John McAulay

Emma- Get a life - Blokes are too shallow to be bothered

Eh?????? Bothered in what way by what? *confused*

[Emma]

Originally posted by Graham

Yeah, right. Old chancers more like.

Hee..yeah, probably, but I was being nice

I guess I should learn to quote two people in the same reply, then I could just post once...

[DavidB]

Originally posted by Graham
You should try leading to someone who is doing that (perhaps you have). As they ignore what you're doing and drift off in the other direction so they can keep their eyes on the teacher it can be really difficult not to say something like "Actually, you might find it a bit easier if you JUST FOLLOWED MY LEAD

This should be slightly rephrased:
[i]You should try leading/following someone who is doing that. As they ignore what you're doing and drift off in the other direction so they can keep their eyes on the teacher it can be really difficult not to say something like "Actually, you might find it a bit easier if you JUST FOLLOWED MY LEAD/LED THE MOVE!!!!"

Unfortunately I would have to admit that the standard of following in Jive is higher than the standard of leading. Maybe we men should stop talking about important things, and just talk about nothing. It seems to help the ladies...

David

[John McAulay]

Aberdeen is always lively on Tuesday and Thursday with almost 100 dancers at each class.
With up to 20 extra ladies to keep you moving.
Its a great nightout you even get to dance with Amanda,
when shes there and not in a mood!
Regards

[John McAulay]

Emma-
you had no problem with shallow!
but could not remember the link
'bothered about being interrupted whilst speaking and getting asked to dance by another'
does that fill in the blanks
regards

[Graham]

Originally posted by John McAulay
'bothered about being interrupted whilst speaking and getting asked to dance by another'

I wouldn't be so sure, John. I think it depends whether they're talking to someone or talking to someone. I've seen people get quite upset at the prospect of getting dragged away from an interesting chat [-up] by someone merely wanting a dance. Even to the extent of turning down the invitation !!

[Sandy]

Originally posted by Amanda

John is going to be mobbed by a tide of women .... And that's a promise. Put the date in your diary now.

Amanda

Hey Amanda I'm with you on this and it will be so interesting to see Mr Cool keeping his head above water! Better bring along a couple of dozen shirts John (or is it swimming gear!), could get hot out there come Tuesday night and looks like your gonna be a very busy boy!

Sandy

[Jayne]

Gosh! You have been busy blethering while I was away...

sorry to take the thread back to its roots...

Originally posted by DavidB
Other questions:
1. When you ask a lady to dance, do you take her hand as you walk onto the floor. (Usually I do)
2. Do you escort her off the floor after finishing? (I don't - most ladies seem to be immediately looking for their next partner, and escorting her off the floor just wastes time!)
3. Do you interrupt someone's conversation to ask them to dance? (Only if I know them)
4. Do you expect to dance with someone for only one song? Or two? (usually 2)
5. Would you ask someone to dance even if you hate the song? (No, but I am lazy)

David

1. I always offer my hand (usually because I'm finishing off saying something or having a quick drink but still want my partner to know that I intend to dance with them).

2. I'm afraid I'm guilty of looking out my next partner whilst leaving the floor... It's nice to be escorted off the floor at the end of the night though.

3. Only if I know them...

4. Usually for one dance - but if it was great I'll stay for one (may be two) more. (BTW - I tried Argentinian Tango and the rule there is three dances. Any less and it's considered rude!)

5. No. Usually escape to another room/foyer/outside for a break..

Jayne

[Stuart M]

The 5 questions as posed by DavidB:[list=1][*]When you ask a lady to dance, do you take her hand as you walk onto the floor?[*]Do you escort her off the floor after finishing?[*]Do you interrupt someone's conversation to ask them to dance?[*]Do you expect to dance with someone for only one song? Or two?[*]Would you ask someone to dance even if you hate the song?[/list=1]
And my answers:[list=1][*]As Franck teaches in the Style class, I try to vary the start of the dance. So although I'm usually in contact with my dance partner, it's not always holding hands... [*]I don't often escort ladies off the dance floor - unless I want a chat or they're heading for a drink at the same time as me! I get dragged straight back up more often than not nowadays anyway.[*]I probably interrupt too many conversations, although how about this rule which I try to follow: if people are conversing whilst sitting down, don't ask for a dance. If they're up on their feet however, they should be dancin'...[*]I'd only ever expect one dance. However if it's been fun and the next record is similar I'm happy to stick around for another turn.[*]If you mean hate as in horrible beat/too fast and I'm knackered/too slow and I'm energetic, no. But if it's got a useable beat, I'd rather dance to it than have to sit listening to it...the music I like listening to most of all is totally undanceable anway...[/list=1]