Well, I dance fairly basic stuff because hubby is just learning. Mostly American Smooth, but with an interest in the International Standard versions.
I like to draw from the technique DVD's I've purchased from both American and International simply because I personally like learning from both.
We don't compete. If it were up to me, we would be working in that direction simply because I enjoy the energy that goes with being competitive. The challenge inspires me to work harder.
But hubby feels insecure about his abilities and we live a very long way from places that teach ballroom. Soon, we shall be living where for 9 months of the year the roads are not passable. Luckily, we are preparing some changes in the house to leave one large space open for dancing. He knows that I have simple needs: room for my library of 6,000+ volumes, a hookup for my computer, and a large space for dancing with mirrors and a bar. The inconvenience of being isolated is not an issue.