What makes a dance partner perfect? It’s impossible to say, but easier perhaps to say what she does NOT do. David Bailey is a sensible man (http://www.learningtango.com) & has summed it up well. He suggests:
- Not staying on the foot on which I have clearly placed you.
- Hanging on my neck.
- Abusing my axis. “I’ll respect yours, if you respect mine.”
- Not giving me enough weight. It feels like I am having to chase you around the floor.
- Giving me too much weight. It can be like pushing a fridge uphill.
- Pushing my head with your head. It gives me neck-ache.
- Not being able to do decent giros in either direction. This obviously does not apply to beginners but quite a few experienced followers still have not mastered this. On a crowded floor, in line of dance, I need you to be able to do this.
- Wearing brooches or belt buckles that stick into me. Ouch!
- Low backed dresses. Sticky!
- Eating peanuts, salt & vinegar crisps, etc. I know that often they are put out on the tables but do you have to eat them? And smokers: the smell of stale tobacco smoke stays in your hair. Maybe when you pop outside for a quick fag you could put on a shower hat or something.
- When dancing in open-hold, quit trying to watch my or your feet. Or even worse, when in class, stop watching the teacher’s feet. It means you are looking over your shoulder when I am trying to lead you.
- Obsessive talking about shoes. Regrettably very common.
