I thought 'american' foxtrot had a faster tempo - about 40BPM. I bought a 'foxtrot' CD some years ago, and all the music was 40BPM

Don. I thought it was the lady's that like to show of their legs, but by all means if you'v got it Don flaunt it.
Sorry I don't normaly dance social foxtrot. The point I was making is that international foxtot music has a continual flow to it which makes it better for dancing on the second beat. Very few Teachers in the USA take this into consideration or just don't know the difference that is one reason why you see so many competitors on TV at the Ohio Star Ball wondering between the first and second beat. You don't see this in Europe unless it's intentional. Unfortunatly more and more American style foxtrots are being played every where so why dance the slow foxtrot on the second beat. It,s hard to buy a foxtrot that's not vocal,some vocal foxtrots do have the SF Rhythm.

"I thought 'american' foxtrot had a faster tempo - about 40BPM. I bought a 'foxtrot' CD some years ago, and all the music was 40BPM"

Social american foxtrot. Post-bronze competition should be about the same as international, perhaps a tiny bit faster preffered by some. I would complain strongly at anything over 30mpm. This is really a better tempo for beginner competition too, as it rewards the couples who are learning to fill up the full action of the slow, over those who are simply "busy".

To fill up the full action of the slow, over those who are simple"busy".
What an excellent way of putting it. I know I am guilty of being "busy". A good example: I have recently discovered that I am not taking the time to dance a full rise on the first step(rf) of the feather and have to slow down to do it.