Milonga
Social tango dancing
Social etiquette has always confounded me. It gets even trickier at a milonga.
After a dozen tango classes, I attended a milonga (social dance) at my studio. I thought it would be full of friendly, familiar faces, but that was not so. I recognized two people, one of whom was the owner. I chatted with some ladies, but spent the first two hours sitting. (With the exception of one, terrible dance.) It was not turning out to be the night I’d hoped for.
Thankfully, my friend Jerry turned up by 11 and led me for a tanda (three songs). After that, I sat very little and danced with multiple partners. It was as if I needed to be “shown off” on the floor before I’d be asked to dance.
The tango social rules are confusing and frustrating. As a follower, I am not “supposed” to ask a leader to dance. I just have to sit and wait. (Although I later learned that I was supposed to be making eye contact to prompt an invitation.) As an outsider, the leaders were hesitant to dance with me, being unsure of my skill level. I try to view it as a social experiment, but the rules and expectations can be discouraging.
I refuse to be discouraged, though. Next time, I’m going to try the eye contact trick and see how it goes. And I’ll continue taking classes and improving.
Dress, BB Dakota (thrifted). Scarf, Frangi (consignment). Fishnets, Yummy Bee. Earrings and ring, vintage.
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Milonga
Social tango dancing
Social etiquette has always confounded me. It gets even trickier at a milonga.
After a dozen tango classes, I attended a milonga (social dance) at my studio. I thought it would be full of friendly, familiar faces, but that was not so. I recognized two people, one of whom was the owner. I chatted with some ladies, but spent the first two hours sitting. (With the exception of one, terrible dance.) It was not turning out to be the night I’d hoped for.
Thankfully, my friend Jerry turned up by 11 and led me for a tanda (three songs). After that, I sat very little and danced with multiple partners. It was as if I needed to be “shown off” on the floor before I’d be asked to dance.
The tango social rules are confusing and frustrating. As a follower, I am not “supposed” to ask a leader to dance. I just have to sit and wait. (Although I later learned that I was supposed to be making eye contact to prompt an invitation.) As an outsider, the leaders were hesitant to dance with me, being unsure of my skill level. I try to view it as a social experiment, but the rules and expectations can be discouraging.
I refuse to be discouraged, though. Next time, I’m going to try the eye contact trick and see how it goes. And I’ll continue taking classes and improving.
Dress, BB Dakota (thrifted). Scarf, Frangi (consignment). Fishnets, Yummy Bee. Earrings and ring, vintage.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.