Top 10 smokescreens

[David Bailey]

Inspired by a recent comment, and just because I like lists*, how about a list of "things they tell you at beginners' classes which you find out aren't really true":

I'll start you off:
1. It's always the leader's fault (OK, that one was easy)
2. ... ?

* And also to get away from some intermin - intamen - very long argue-threads...

[TheTramp]

1. It's always the leader's fault (OK, that one was easy)

Oh dear.

Sorry.

I believe that this one is true....

[spindr]

Ummm, "Don't fight her -- let her lead"

[Zebra Woman]

2. You should always accept an invitation to dance (after all, it's only 3 minutes of your life)








You don't have to

[DavidY]

1. It's always the leader's fault (OK, that one was easy)

Oh dear.

Sorry.

I believe that this one is true....

Hmmm that's interesting. Do you really believe it's always the leader's fault? Absolute statements like "always" and "never" aren't often true because you can usually find one example (and you only need one) that contradicts it.

For instance I was dancing recently and the dance went wrong for everyone on the dance floor at once - because the music completely stopped mid-dance after some sort of technical problem. In this case I would contend it was not the leaders' fault that the dance went wrong, for at least one leader in the room.

If the statement was "it's usually the leader's fault" or "it's nearly always the leader's fault" or even "it's the leader's fault a lot more often than most leaders think" then that would be different, of course.

[Gadget]

How about "there can always be fault found in the lead when a move goes wrong"?

[TheTramp]

Hmmm that's interesting. Do you really believe it's always the leader's fault? Absolute statements like "always" and "never" aren't often true because you can usually find one example (and you only need one) that contradicts it.

For instance I was dancing recently and the dance went wrong for everyone on the dance floor at once - because the music completely stopped mid-dance after some sort of technical problem. In this case I would contend it was not the leaders' fault that the dance went wrong, for at least one leader in the room.

If the statement was "it's usually the leader's fault" or "it's nearly always the leader's fault" or even "it's the leader's fault a lot more often than most leaders think" then that would be different, of course.

And they say that I'M a pedant

[MartinHarper]

"Don't use your thumb."
"Men - you're in charge!"
"Transfer all your weight onto your back foot"
"Semi-circle and..."
"It doesn't matter which foot you step back with"
"The women come straight forwards, without turning, and you meet hip to hip"
"Turn the women back to the position they were in on the second count"

Most of them are just simplifications, I guess.

[Lory]

At least TRY and smile!

[El Salsero Gringo]

"Ceroc is easy because it doesn't have any footwork."


"After 45 minutes, you'll have enough moves to dance the night away."

[David Bailey]

Oh dear.

Sorry.

I believe that this one is true....

I'd agree with MartinHarper, it's a "lie-to-children" type of saying*, which is extremely useful as you learn, because it's simple, easy to remember, and forces the leader to accept responsibility for, well, leading.

But honestly (CF. back-leading thread), there are two people in the dance and both can make mistakes. If a leader gives a clear and firm lead, and it's not followed, how is that the leader's fault? Without wishing to degrade my wonderful thread into lead/follow arguments, I'd say "It's always the leader's fault" is a simplification, and that's the sort of thing I was trying to come up with - things that everyone says, which aren't totally correct.

I guess another one along these lines could be:
- "Anyone can learn to dance"

* OK, closet Terry Pratchett fan coming out...

[TheTramp]

If a leader gives a clear and firm lead, and it's not followed, how is that the leader's fault?

Obviously wasn't clear and firm enough.

Or maybe it was the wrong choice of move to do with that particular partner. In which case the leader is at fault for having chosen to do it

Of course, the important thing to remember is: Who cares anyway. So, a move messed up. Carry on, and forget about it...

[Andy McGregor]

Where are all the guys this week*?

26 ladies on ...



*as if there were loads of guys last week.

[Andy McGregor]

2. You should always accept an invitation to dance (after all, it's only 3 minutes of your life)

You don't have to

.. unless you are a real hunk, sexy, a fabulous dancer and you're being asked to dance by a woman in zebra patterned shoes

[Lory]

Cuddle wrap - you might want to introduce yourself to your partner before we attempt this move

Nicky and Robert - Watching you!

Aaaand give yourselves your great big clap!

[Graham]

.. unless you are a real hunk, sexy, a fabulous dancer and you're being asked to dance by a woman in zebra patterned shoes

I do wish people wouldn't comment on subjects they clearly know nothing about.....

[bobgadjet]

.. unless you are a real hunk, sexy, a fabulous dancer and you're being asked to dance by a woman in zebra patterned shoes

I suppose this is something that has been brought to yor attention rather than a personal experience

[spindr]

"Gosh you must all be really good -- we've finished the class really quickly"

[El Salsero Gringo]

Addressed to those people dancing "for six weeks or less":

"The Taxi dancers will only be dancing with you guys, right the way up until 9:45 / 10 o'clock..."

[El Salsero Gringo]

Aaaand give yourselves your great big clap!

I don't remember if it was somewhere on this Forum, but I am reminded of that priceless line from the teacher...

"Let's give the DJ the clap, which he so richly deserves!"

hoo hoo hoo hee hee hee