Re: [TANGO-L] Community growth...Teacher Challenge

[Marisa Holmes <mariholmes @YAHOO.COM>]

I think the various contributions to this discussion
were right on - Robert who says that folks (including
himself) should just be 'less choosy', Eero, who calls
for generosity, and Jodi who would like to see 'a
little kindness'.  The key to retaining people is to
let them have a good time - and when one goes to
dance, having a good time usually involves dancing.  I
have seen, however, that even people who say and
believe that their tango community is
open/welcoming/friendly often do not actually dance
with anyone outside their clique.  In effect, they
find their community warm and friendly because to them
it consists entirely of their friends!

So here is a challenge for anyone who would like to
strengthen the larger community (and it applies to
less experienced as well as expert dancers): dance
with one person you have never danced with before at
each milonga you attend this year.


The small print:
Ask early - people who are not getting dances go home
before you are tired.

Even if you have fulfilled your weekly quota of one,
if someone you have never danced with before asks you
for a dance, go ahead, unless you have a good reason
to refuse.  If your good reason is not that the person
requesting the dance is somehow utterly abominable to
you, ask that person to dance at the next milonga.

If you have danced at least once with everyone at the
milonga, ask the person you have danced with least -
who knows, they may have improved.

Yes, ladies that does mean you will sometimes have to
ask for a dance.


My very best wishes to all for the new year!
Marisa

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