[TANGO-L] Beginners and all that Jazz

[Bob Ramsey-Turner <bob.ramsey-turner @quicksilver.net.nz>]

Following on from Erika Hilliard (PS. The attitude of dancing partners also
profoundly influences whether a person comes back or not. I loved what Jai
said in his email: " Men who "tough it out" remember those who toughed it
out with them." Bravo.

I take the liberty of repeating my posting of about a year ago regarding
beginners.

Fall in love with a beginner. PLEASE
Having tango'd in Tokyo recently, and loved it at Art City, on their first
anniversary, I am delighted that Astrid (also in Tokyo) has something good
to say about beginners.  (I danced with, who was a beginner stepwise, but
had a fine sense of rhythm and never ran us into another couple on the
crowded chaotic floor)
How did she find this quality in a beginner? when there has been so many
postings regarding not dancing with someone with less ability than one's
self.

I've been struggling in New Zealand with this Tango thing for a couple of
years now, I started with the belief that I would knock this off in three
months and get it out of my system. Sad thing is the more I learnt, the more
I realised how little I knew. To improve I need to dance with persons better
than I, I'm also happy to dance with absolute beginners, I'm repaying the
debt I owe to those that did the same for me

I have been reading this page for about five months without setting forth
into print myself. The bit that has got to me is the apparent dismissal of
beginners or of persons with less dancing skills than ones self.
The beginners of today are the stars of tomorrow!!!!!
Those of you today with great ability, will be the "has beens" of tomorrow,
when your timing has slipped a little, your balance isn't quite there, when
the pain in the joints over powers the song in your heart, when you will be
grateful that anyone has asked you to dance. So look kindly on the beginner.
There is a saying in corporate circles, "Be kind to people on the way up,
you may need them on the way down"
So the next time a beginner has the audacity to ask you to dance, maybe you
will think for a moment, before you turn them down,  think just how much
value the person that asked, has placed on this request!  The request is an
acknowledgement of your esteemed skills, and an acknowledgement that the
person that asked desires to excel, just as you do.
With kind regards

Bob Ramsey-Turner
bob.ramsey-turner @quicksilver.net.nz