Topic: A bit of a rant.... on rotations....

[Lou]

Hmmm.... this is probably not a wise thing to post, but something got on my nerves yesterday at St Bon's.

I hate people who don't rotate in class.

There. I've said it.

Let me clarify. I don't mind people sticking together if it's a special workshop - particularly one with tricky moves like drops, etc., where it helps to work on technique with your normal partner. However, for a weekly class, it's not helpful - and in fact, downright selfish. Particularly as these classes are advertised as "no need to bring a partner".

Last night, because of it being double trouble, there was an surplus of men. It's important that the men get as much practice in class, as the dance is dependent upon a good lead. But one trio decided to stick together, meaning that the other men had to sit out for longer. Funnily enough - two of them were the only couple who always stick together, and don't rotate, in the usual Intermediate class. And, what makes it even more of a heinous crime to me, is that they position themselves right next to the stage, causing the maximum amount of disruption to the rotation. If they must stick together, what's stopping them from showing at least some consideration, and moving to a less obvious part of the dancefloor?

Also, by a strange coincidence, I bet you can't guess which couple bumped into me in freestyle, and also were performing drops in a very crowded area of the dancefloor? At one point my feet were within inches of the lady's head. That's not just inconsiderate - it's goddamned dangerous. 

Sheeeesh! Some people. 

(Of course, this is merely my very humble opinion. It doesn't make me right. YVMV. But I needed to vent!  )

[blaster]

Yeah I understand what you mean. It can be irritating when that happens. I think that people need to break out of fixed couples as soon as possible. Like you said if it was a complex routine that required drops and stuff then fair enough, and from what you said they have been going for a while so the whole "I don't feel comfortable rotating thing because i'm new to dancing" thing shouldn't apply.

At the end of the day I think the fixed couple are worse off because they don't get to work on their lead. If someone is a weak lead then the other person will get used to it and will never adjust. Rotating partners is the best way to do that.

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

When I do a class giving the option of fixed or moving couples, I split them out.  Static couples go in a row on their own, and can fight it out between themselves.

The movers then get to move unrestricted in their own rows.

John.

[Elaine]

Ah, but there are several reasons why people stay fixed!

1.  Jealous partners!

2.  An ex-partner in the room! 

3. An injury!

4. Competing couples, just before a competition (me and 'im are guilty of this one, Milud!)

5.  Lack of confidence

6.  A well known yanker/stamper being in the rotation!! 

Other than that, absolutely no excuse, the spoil sports!   

Elaine

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

OK, granted there are reasons for not rotating sometimes, but when that occurs there are ways of doing it that don't impact the rest of the class quite so much.

John.

[Elaine]

OK, granted there are reasons for not rotating sometimes, but when that occurs there are ways of doing it that don't impact the rest of the class quite so much.

John.

    

Good one!!!

Elaine

[andrew_w]

Well done Lou - the rest of us just mutter under our breath, glad someone had the courage to say it.

I agree with Elaine's post -  serial offenders can't hide behind your legitimate reasons

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

Well there is one excuse - pregnant ladies have to be VERRRRY careful about who they dance with, for obvious reasons!

John.

[JT]

3. An injury!

Hence why I haven't been dancing for so long - my partner has tennis elbow and while he's fine dancing with me can't risk dancing with a 'yanker' and we don't want to offend everyone by being anti-social and dancing by ourselves!!

[Lou]

1.  Jealous partners!

Pah. They should shell out for private lessons then , instead of being subsidised by us mere mortals....

2.  An ex-partner in the room! 

OK - fair point if they weren't expecting it. But if it's more regular, why not sort out his & hers venues if it's that awkward?

3. An injury!

Ouch. Should they even be dancing at all? But - point taken - that's actually a good excuse. I did get pulled about yesterday by a strong lead, which hurt more than usual. I'll give you that one. 

4. Competing couples, just before a competition (me and 'im are guilty of this one, Milud!)

That's not as bad, as it's just temporary & not usual behaviour. You can have that one too. 

5.  Lack of confidence

Ahhh.. but dancing with lots of people is far more social, breaks the ice, and makes it easier to learn. If it's that much of a problem - private lessons!  

6.  A well known yanker/stamper being in the rotation!! 

Wot?!!!! And leave him to the rest of us?! Meaniehead! My shoulder is still aching after Thursday's yanker. Even now.

Other than that, absolutely no excuse, the spoil sports!   

Hanging's too good for them.....  

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

I've started up a competition to find the best way to deal with inconsiderate dancers..

http://www.leroc-in-bristol.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=364.0

John.

[Lou]

And another reason to rotate - it helps prevent relationship disharmony and arguments. 

[ClaireLSt]

I'm thinking you must have a severely yanked shoulder?

its up to the 'people in charge' to make sure the class runs smoothly? JG model! People, even dancers even, can be mighty selfish, valid reason or just because.  hey up tho', your reason that men shouldn't be sitting out because they have to practice leading... i reckon: they can still practice - mentally! even when sitting out!!! 

[Anita]

Afraid I dont agree that couples shouldnt stick together if they want to, for whatever reason--it should be their choice--they've both paid their money and if they have a preference for only learning and dancing together then they shouldnt be made to feel bad about it. It doesnt say anywhere in any of the dance ads that you cant do this and I dont think this means the couple might just as well have private lessons-- they might still want the atmosphere of being out among lots of other people, especially during the freestyle--- after all a couple would still enjoy going to a club or disco even if they only danced together. Obviously it is up to the class organiser to ensure the class runs smoothly and couples should be in a seperate row to stop confusion.Kingswood has quite a large couples section in a seperate row and it works fine. I'm not part of a couple incidentally and I rotate but I have no objection to other couples. I agree re being thoughtless and dangerous on the dance floor though Lou

[JiveTalker]

Afraid I dont agree that couples shouldnt stick together if they want to, for whatever reason...Obviously it is up to the class organiser to ensure the class runs smoothly and couples should be in a seperate row to stop confusion...

I went to some ballroom classes about three years ago and there were always more women than men so there would typically be about 8 to 12 women standing at the side. Rather than have the traditional "lines" like in LeRoc it was a complete free for all, a bit like Mike Reid's "Runaround" for those old enough to remember that!

The teacher would say change partners and those in couples would stay where they were and the other men would weave around trying to find new partners. Because there was no particular pattern some of the less assertive women often ended up missing out more than one turn and some women you just didn't get to dance with because you were never both in the same part of the room.

Compared to that chaos the problems with couples in LeRoc don't seem so bad!