Towards the corners does not mean into the corners. There is a difference. And in a competition if the floor is small especialy at each end which is side two and four. If the heat has in it twelve couples. That heat should be split into two 6's. Selecting six from the twelve for the final. I have been involved in a situation such as this were the Waltz Foxtrot and Tango all twelve were on the floor. But not in the Quickstep. In the Quickstep there were two lots of six. After the judges had seen enough all twelve were recalled to dance together for a few more bars of music whilst the judges made any changes to there selection.

It's just not possible for you to separate competition and social, is it? It's like some kind of indoctrination. I feel very sad for anybody who can't just *enjoy* dance, and need to remind myself to do so more often.

"After the judges had seen enough all twelve were recalled to dance together for a few more bars of music whilst the judges made any changes to there selection."

Exactly, which is why 12 couples on the floor is not a rare occurrence at all, even if the round is initial split.

Anonymous. The only reason they are back on the floor is because the judges who have made there selection choosing three from each six the judges want to make sure that maybe not any of the first group are good enough to go through. This also helps with any jiggery pockey that might go on. For instance putting the best six in the one heat for whatever reason.

Ladydance brings up "those token few"... and I tried not to for awhile, but since she did, I can, I guess. Normally I try to ignore them and pretend they don't exist- works until you get blood on the walls, I guess

What IS it with the ones who are "not the cadillac kind"- who willfully TRY To be bumbling asshats? It really DOES seem like they're terrible on purpose.

I just want to kick them... but can't.

The best social dances seemed to occur at our studio because it was an "open" night and would turn into a good practice session, but with the aura of a party. You would switch partners, work on steps, help each other, etc., all to live music. Otherwise, you have to pick your spots -- some places offer social dances and have huge dance floors (Willowbrook in the Chicago area, for one), while others have tighter quarters and you have to stick with the more stationary dances such as rumba or swing as your best bets. Competitive dancers are so used to wide open spaces and virtually having the floor to themselves, I can see where they simply would have no interest in social events. It would be like asking a professional sports writer if he wanted to go to another game on his day off.

Is there a reason why certain studios A- won't answer emails from out-of-town dancers OR answer with "What level are you" when they ask if there are any open socials/parties for drop-ins? Just thought of that one, as it just happened to me (again) last night when I was checking into some places for when we take a trip soon.

DivaGinger, that's a surprising response, but only from my standpoint that our studio would never ask such a question. In fact, we sometimes find our studio owner holding back because not enough people come on a given night. My guess would be that it is entirely possible that, at some studios, the more advanced dancers have no interest in being around beginners? That sounds terrible, but it may go on out there somewhere. I suppose, on the positive side, if they had enough people coming, maybe they could split up the nights -- more advanced people on one night, the beginners on another night?
I'm not sure how I would work that if I owned a studio. You're dealing with all sorts of personalities and those who have seniority and feel they are "owed" something. I confess that I sometimes fall into that category, feeling I should get a better deal or a break on certain events or shows or lesson packages.

Just thought of something else.

Do people at socials get upset (angry, mad, resentful, however you want to word it) when a couple comes to a social and dances almost exclusively with one another?

I'd dance with other people, so would my partner, if we were asked. We're content either way, but we go to dances to dance together at least most of the time. I'd never turn someone down unless there was a safety or hygeine concern (haven't had to yet). People just don't dance with us. I don't know why, but it doesn't really bother us.

They're all about mixing... yet they seem kind of, well... scared... to approach us. They'll make comments like "We're *just* social dancers, that's all, heh-heheh-"...

We've never competed. We *are* social dancers. What the heck else would we be? (Invoking the previous Anti-Social Clause of Non-competitive DanceSport)

Ginger, it's obvious that epople are completely intimidated by your great beauty.

If, perhaps, you could come across a bit more demurely, you might find yourself doing bronze American Fox trot all evening.



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