Hmmm. Dodge Omnis and colonoscopies. You get a lot out of dancing, don't you.

jj

I try to impress upon the men that this is a sport, just like any other they may have played in the past. I believe Gene Kelly used that method as well, and even had video examples of how certain dance moves related to similar moves in other sports.
I have found it to be a pretty good way to get the men a little more interested in learning. For the most part, I have to say that the men at our dance studio are quite good about wanting to learn. But I agree that many, over the years, are in it for only that short eight-week session to appease their wives or girl friends for a short time.
On the topic of actually using your brains to learn and remember steps and what they should be called, here's a good one to share: I was once doing a group lesson and one of the men was showing a bit of disdain and disinterest. He even stopped and walked off the floor. I asked him what the problem was and he said, "I don't want to have to think when I'm dancing."
So I asked him what sport he played in the past, and he said hockey. So I asked, "Wouldn't you say you had to think to play that game properly?" And he said, "No, because as soon as you start to think, you get hurt."
So I knew then that I was dealing with a guy who maybe hit his head on the ice a few too many times or something. I felt bad for his wife, who really wanted to learn the dance.
Her husband figured out a dumb way to cover up his inability to do a sequence of steps properly as well as remember what to call it. Or, as one might surmise, actually think about what he was trying to do while he was trying to do it.

What is required of the Leader is, unfortunately, something that most guys [men] do not do naturally: multitasking.

Especially for those guys who "are patiently 'just along for the ride'" [DivaGinger] and who "are in it … to appease their wives or girl friends" [dheun], the following is all too often the case: if/when their partners stop coming, they abruptly stop too.

I hate to generalize but I have found that middle aged men have a very hard time learning to dance because they expect to do well right off the bat. The worst are generally men who have had successful careers, marriages, own the right car etc. and are very pleased with the way life has turned out for them. They walk into the studio with a "how hard can it be" attitude. Dance makes them feel like idiots and they blame everything and everyone for their inability to get it right away. A few hang in there, determined to get it, most quit. They mostly blame their wives but I have also heard that the studio is too hot, the music is too loud or not loud enough or not "right", other dancers keep getting in their way, or I'm a lousy instructor.

nigel and LadyDance, I believe that you're both failing to consider another explanation for the reluctance of many "middle aged men" to continue with their dancing education.

Full disclosure requirements obligate me to tell you that I fall into that category.

I have noticed than men - especially those with some world experience - are far less likely than women to develop an infatuation with the ballroom dance world. While some men do become as enamored of their female teachers as the vast majority of women do the male counterparts, most are inclined to consider the value of dance lessons. In other words, men weigh what they're getting against what they're paying while most women seem to be willing to pay almost anything to sustain their fantasies.

I believe that the truth is very simple: men are far more likely than women to see through the promotional BS which some studios and professionals employ to increase revenue.

I use the modifier "some" generously. In Atlanta, it would be "all."

Sorry if this observation offends anyone but I believe it to be true.



jj

I take some exception to the " all " in atlanta... having worked with many for many yrs, there ARE those who have a higher standard..and yes.. there will always be those that toe a different line...

That's great, Terence. Care to name a studio which doesn't behave as I described?

jj

I know 2 teachers that work out of Eddies studio, also have friends who own studios on the S. side of town ( one is Mezcolanza )... add to this, i know many independant teachers who rent space that only take " by the lesson " students .

According to its website, Mezcolanza seems to offer no ballroom classes or instruction. Only one studio on the southside does and it lists only one professional (whom I know).

I've been to Eddie's studio; it's pretty hardcore pro-am. I don't think that I saw more than two couples there in four months. Also, the "floor" does not accommodate ballroom.

jj

I think your reference was about teachers ?... and anything that can be danced from the syllabus of latin and standard is considered ballroom dancing.. why ? .. because it was danced ( and still is ) in ballrooms .

of course , it has to be partnership and fall under the social " banner " .

One should not isolate salsa.. T/Arg , C and W etc. .. they all have teachers just like the ballroom and can fall into good or bad practices .

Even if you apply the term " studio ", other than chains, the variety of teachers who practice good conduct far outweighs those that do not ... and thats not to say that chains do not practice good conduct.. just different business practices .

As to Eddies, they do teach amer. smooth AND Intern standard .