I have observed in some social gatherings that upper level dancers somewhat try to avoid dancing with someone below their level. I heard this from quite a few pros including a friend who is at a much higher level than me. Is this an isolated experience or pretty much a commonplace the ballroom scene?

Going back to answer Rice's original subject about upper level dancers "avoid" dancing with someone below their level. I like to think they realy are not avoiding lower level dancers.....Perhaps they just enjoy dancing with someone of their level.

Over the years, I found myself go to certain restaurants more than the other. Simply because their food are better. We visit this Chinese restaurant at least once a week because we love their food too much. "Five and Diner", "Applebee's" and "Metro Pizza" are all my favorite places to go.

Beside ballroom dancing, I also collect stamps as a hobby. Few years back, I had a fellow in Seatle as stamps trading friend. As the time goes, I found that he has way more classical Chinese stamps that I want. But all my Chinese duplicates are the ones he already have. Ending up I had to ask him to sell them instead of trading.

Maybe this explains a little about what happened on the social dancing scene....

Keh Gough

On the subject of Uppity upper-level dancers... Is one considered uppity if one does not ask beginners to dance but also does not decline any request by a beginner to dance??

(Of course, I am NOT talking about myself. Of course..)

The dance world is a microcosm of the real world, and I think it would be unfair to say even that "most" upper level social/competitive dancers would look down upon beginners. The question is, would they have more fun dancing with dancers of commensurate competence levels, and the answer is 'yes'. Question is, are they obliged to dance with beginners for say every so many dances, and the answer is, that is their prerogative. Finally, do they turn their nose up when beginners approach them for dances. If they do, "Annie get your gun".

Not all good dancers are snobbish, perhaps 50:50 but then those are the odds of life. Surely they would enjoy it more to dance with someone at their level, and I hope that is not construed as snobbery. As I said, if they turn you down because you are a novice, kick them in their shin and watch them sit out 6 weeks of dancing.. Ha Ha..!!

Anyway, just a snippet of my thoughts.
Enjoy and have a great time.

Sri.

Keh's experience is all too common. When I am confronted by one of these parasite types I am not at all polite in refusing them. I also avoid studio socials where the teachers dance with the students and others who attend because these socials draw this type of leach. Also, I occasionally will be affronted by a front end teacher who doesn't know who I am and will try her "training out on me." I have little use for them also. One asked me to dance one time and as soon as we started she said that she was a teacher, and my sincere response was "grade school or high school?", I really thought she must be one or the other, I thought she was trying to start a conversation, not thinking she was a dance teacher.

Regarding places to dance in the DC area, look at these links. They might help.

There are many studios in and around DC, but you must be willing to drive. MD is a hotbed of dancing, and further north, there are incredible places to dance in NJ and of course NY. Anyway, these links below are for in and around the DC area. If you need links to places to dance in NJ, try this link instead. (http://www.ee.princeton.edu/~aria/dancing.html)
http://www.dancechampions.com/
http://www.dcdancenet.com/studiocals/index.shtml

I got the above page from the link below, search this for other information.
http://www.dcdancenet.com/

I hope that helps.

Sri.

Keh- I've been in a similar situation, and not only at studio socials, but have been asked to 'practice' during studio hours. I got suckered once, but when I found out what was happening, I declined thereafter. I also had a discussion with the studio owner about this- I wasn't the only one. I do occasionally dance with her at socials, without incident, as she has been taking lessons. She doesn't seem to have been offended, either.

Hello.
I would like to know where I can find a Ballromdancingschool in the DC area. I'm from Denmark and I have been dancing for 9 years and while I'm here I'd like to continue.

Keh - The way it looks to me is that the woman is more of a parasite - learning a lesson or two for free. I encounter them every now then and try to turn them down as diplomatic as I can. I don't refuse people if I know that they are trying their best by taking lessons or practicing but parasites, ahhh...they're different creature. The worst part is that these parasites I know can afford the lessons more than I can.

Len & David- Good points taken. I notice that some of the "good" social dancers, think they are "good/advanced" dancers, when watching them, they are anything but- their footwork/leading/following is a mess. They also have no idea what floorcraft is. We don't go to many area socials anymore- time constraints, just our studio's socials. David, my wife has also had similar experiences.

[This message has been edited by Len Diana (edited 06-28-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Len Diana (edited 06-28-2000).]

Two years ago when I first went to this studio on Friday nights, this lady came to me and asked if I would do a Tango with her. I did and soon to find out she does not know the Tango nor follows the music. So I took the time to show her the basics. We ended up doing the whole dance with basic steps " T, A, N, G, O " over and over. The following Friday she came and asked me if I would do a Viennese Waltz with her. I turned her down.

First, I do not wish to cause injury to her or me by doing the speedy Viennese Waltz. Second, I would not get into the line of dance by blocking other dancers' way. Third, I was there to dance not to instruct. That simple.

Now two years later, she is there at the studio every Friday. I had never asked her to dance since and seldom anyone else asked her to dance either. She often would comment such as, " He only dances with the professionals " or many other silly lines of hers. One night when I walked in to the studio to find that there were only her and Joe, the instructor, in the studio. She quickly said, " Aha, now you can dance with Joe ! " I know I am labelled as a snobbish dancer in her book.

Joe and I had a conversation one night, he told me that this lady never takes lessons, never owns a pair of ballroom shoes. She drives a new BMW, wears beautiful outfits and different color streets shoes to match. But never wants to take a lesson. Joe, as an instructor, often ended up dancing with her.

Had she taken some lessons and learned some basic steps and techniques, perhaps people might want to dance with her more. Instead, she just criticizes other dancers but would not put in some efforts in dancing.

Just my two cents,

Keh Gough