Re: [TANGO-L] Tango and rudeness

[Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown @DAL.FRB.ORG>]

Luda wrote:
>I have been told by some of my friends, and have
>experienced it first hand, that tango seems to
>attract some of the rudest people in the world.

I can think of several reasons that one might encounter more social
problems in tango than elsewhere.

In comparison to salsa or swing or other activities, dancing tango well
seems to require much more of one's partner.  Feelings of frustration can
arise when you feel like the person you are dancing with limits your
ability to express yourself.  Consequently, tango can more easily lead to
frustrations that are not arising elsewhere

Tango seems to require a certain amount of intensity to learn, and
consequently it attracts people who have the intensity necessary to learn
it.  People who are intense may respond to many things in a more intense
manner.

The closeness of the embrace creates a feeling of intimacy that raises the
stakes in the relationship--even if it is just for one dance or tanda.
(Even if you do not feel that intimacy, the person you are dancing with
may feel it.)  People who have emotional issues seem more prone to express
those problems when they feel they are in a more intimate environment.

When you combine these three elements: frustration, intensity and
intimacy...  look out!  The result can be explosive.

With best wishes for 2003,
Steve