What is a Hotshot Dancer?

[Andy McGregor]

Prompted by the "100 Ways to Wind Up a Hot Shot" thread, I've been thinking about the phenomenon of the Hotshot.

Here's the quote which most of us have seen. But what makes someone a hotshot dancer?

"Beginning dancer: knows nothing.
Intermediate dancer: knows everything; too good to dance with beginners.
Hotshot dancer: too good to dance with anyone.
Advanced dancer: Dances everything. Especially with beginners."
- Dick Crum

Do people set out to become shameless hotshots? Do they know that's what we think they are? Do they care? And how will I know one when I see/dance with/am turned down by one? Why should I care?

ChrisA used to think that certain people were Hotshots when he first went to Hipsters - but now he says Hotshots don't exist. I think he's nearly right, but there are Hotshot behavior patterns and I think they should be outed - no names please.

1. Never does the lesson - message sent; too good for lessons/better than the teacher.
2. Dances near the stage - message sent; I dance near the stage with the other great dancers who dance near the stage.
3. Often turns down requests for a dance - message sent; I don't need to dance with you but you need to dance with me; I'm too good to dance with you.
4. Wears black - I want to look like ChrisA
5. Wears black & white shoes - I'm a great dancer/complete tosser!
6. Wears braces - I was a Hotshot in the 80s when these things were fashionable.

Any more?

[under par]

6.a. accept dance invitation begrudgingly...............do not engage in any eyecontact,do not smile, go through the motions, do not attempt any dancing.

[jivecat]

7. Very prone to thirst and tiredness.
8. Meticulous as to dress and grooming, requiring many changes of clothing at strategic intervals.

[Zebra Woman]

9. During the dance, looks around for the person they really wanted to be dancing with .

10. On the last bar dumps you without a goodbye or thank you.

11. As you approach them to ask, they act like you are an apparition (not there in their reality).

12. This dance is always reserved for 'so and so', but you can never reserve such a dance for yourself. Oh no.


Thankfully I know loads of fab dancers who will dance with anyone who asks (within reason ) and very few Hotshots (less than 10 in the whole of the UK) so it's not a big problem at all.

The hotshots I have seen always seem sad to me. I think their dancing bubble has almost burst . I feel sorry for them if they are really only happy dancing with so few others.

How sad is that?.

[clevedonboy]

9. Often heard stating that they're not happy dancing locally anymore and have to travel many miles to find quality venues

BTW don't you wear B&W shoes?

[under par]

9. Often heard stating that they're not happy dancing locally anymore and have to travel many miles to find quality venues

BTW don't you wear B&W shoes?

Andy does wear B&W shoes when not wearing stillettos.


Being a hotshot is a state of mind not the way we dress IMHO.

[DavidB]

So far I am scoring 7/14, so that makes me a warmshot.

[Minnie M]

10. When you are able to follow easily, tries an 'unleadable' move then looks at you as if you are an idiot not being able to follow his move.

11. Talks the move through (these are usually hotshot teachers)

[Zebra Woman]

So far I am scoring 7/14, so that makes me a warmshot.

Yeah 5/7 I think I may be a tepidshot myself. Arrgghh

[alex]

12. always willing to pass judgement on every partner to their friends/aquaintances/anyone within earshot. the 'judgement' is always about the partner's mistakes, and not their own failings.

13. does the class because they think they should, but never listen to a word the teacher says.

14. looks down on 'know-it-all' intermediates who have been dancing for just a year, safe in the knowledge that it takes at least 2 years to become an expert.

15. assumes that asking someone once if they like doing drops grants them a lifetime licence.

alex

[Andreas]

So far I am scoring 7/14, so that makes me a warmshot.

One must assume this is one better than warm beer drinker

Yeah 5/7 I think I may be a tepidshot myself. Arrgghh

Somkebody say again one can't learn English on the forum. Had to look that one up, was only familiar with lukewarm

[Gojive]

3/15 for me so far.....

Does this mean I'm shot away?

[Minnie M]

UPDATE (cut & pasted and re-numbered where necessary)

What's your score ???

1. Never does the lesson - message sent; too good for lessons/better than the teacher.

2. Dances near the stage - message sent; I dance near the stage with the other great dancers who dance near the stage.

3. Often turns down requests for a dance - message sent; I don't need to dance with you but you need to dance with me; I'm too good to dance with you.

4. Wears black - I want to look like ChrisA

5. Wears black & white shoes - I'm a great dancer/complete tosser!

6. Wears braces - I was a Hotshot in the 80s when these things were fashionable.

7. Accept dance invitation begrudgingly...............do not engage in any eyecontact,do not smile, go through the motions, do not attempt any dancing.

8. Very prone to thirst and tiredness.

9. Meticulous as to dress and grooming, requiring many changes of clothing at strategic intervals

10. During the dance, looks around for the person they really wanted to be dancing with .

11. On the last bar dumps you without a goodbye or thank you.

12. As you approach them to ask, they act like you are an apparition (not there in their reality).

13. This dance is always reserved for 'so and so', but you can never reserve such a dance for yourself. Oh no.

14. Often heard stating that they're not happy dancing locally anymore and have to travel many miles to find quality venues

15. When you are able to follow easily, tries an 'unleadable' move then looks at you as if you are an idiot not being able to follow his move.

16. Talks the move through (these are usually hotshot teachers)

17. Always willing to pass judgement on every partner to their friends/aquaintances/anyone within earshot. the 'judgement' is always about the partner's mistakes, and not their own failings.

18. Does the class because they think they should, but never listen to a word the teacher says.

19. Looks down on 'know-it-all' intermediates who have been dancing for just a year, safe in the knowledge that it takes at least 2 years to become an expert.

20. Assumes that asking someone once if they like doing drops grants them a lifetime licence.

[Andreas]

14/20 for me. Though, I don't even ask 20 if I feel the lady is well capable of a drop.

14 can have other reasons. If you are dancing locally for years you will run out of inspiration at some point and get bored with the music.

[DavidB]

Ultimately there is only one definition:

Someone who does something you think they shouldn't do.

[David Bailey]

What's your score ???

5/20.

Is there a temperature grading system?

5 - cool
10 - tepid
15 - warm
20 - hot ?

So, strangely enough, I'm cool

[Zebra Woman]

5 - I'm cool

[Andreas]

14/20 for me. Though, I don't even ask 20 if I feel the lady is well capable of a drop.

14 can have other reasons. If you are dancing locally for years you will run out of inspiration at some point and get bored with the music.

Having seen the other replies I think I need to refine that post of mine

What I was trying to express is that I feel points 14 and 20 apply to me, not 14 of 20

[Minnie M]

yeah - I'm cool too

[jivecat]

4 and a half. Phew, definitely cool. For one awful moment there....