This is a real dilemma James, as saying something could really hurt the feelings of the person you're dancing with, and in the long term won't make friendsOriginally posted by Jive Brummie
So, to the dilemma. Is it P.C. to say something to your partner about this or would saying something be just rude?? I didn't say anything at the time.
However not saying anything hurts you, and of course doesn't solve the situation...
If it's as bad as you describe it though, something needs to be done, especially if the ladies are not beginners. The best thing I can think of, is to mention it to the teachers and ask them to have a dance and bring up the topic with them.
You can also ask the Taxi-dancers, but if the person isn't a Beginners, they might get just as offended
Apart from that, the only course of action while on the dance floor, short of walking off if someone is really injuring you, is to take defensive action (which has been discussed a lot on this forum, though I don't have time to look just now ). Lead less, do very simple moves, like long armjives and baskets, letting go of the hand at the first sign of heavy pull...
That way the dance will be duller, but a great deal safer.
Another interesting topic, which maybe should be on a separate threadWhile I'm moaning, I'll get this off my chest as well. Intermediate class's being done by people who've been dancing a very short time. Example being my partner at a class recently who'd been dancing less than 6 weeks, and the guy next to me who's partner had been dancing for 3 weeks. Don't get me wrong the woman I danced with was a good lead... just like last night's arm wrestler !!! But should these people really have been there. Is it not detrimental to there progress to go intermediate too soon as they've not perfected their beginners moves yet. I didn't do an intermediate class until I'd danced for 4 months, and even then I was terrified I muck it up.
The 'guidelines' (and that's all they are) are that you should join the Intermediate class after a minimum of 6/8 weeks... The idea being that, by then, you have covered all the Beginners moves and should be able to dance to a basic standard and can start adding to your repertoire. In practise as you mention, it is often wise to wait a bit longer than 2 months, and actually pay attention to the Beginners class, focusing not just on learning the moves, but on how to lead them!
If someone joins the class too early, they will hold back progress slightly for everyone else, but hopefully, only for 2/3 minutes before they get moved on!
Phew... thanks for that James, I did wonderP.s the woman in question wasn't you Franck!!!! But next time can you pick a slower one??
Great fun though and we must do it again to a slower track (as I thought it was going to be before it accelerated madly
Franck.
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