Social Responsibility and the Lindy Floor...

Social responsibility
It was pointed out to me recently, that I have a blog, which I don’t often use anymore. I said that there are a mountain of half written blog posts on my computer, which just never got finished. So here is a small lindy rant that I started a little while ago, and is somewhere near where a post should be before posting… maybe… comments/questions/opinions??

Floorcraft and class levels
Someone said to me recently, isn’t it frustrating that the top level dancers don’t come out to dance all the time. Well to me, no. there is only a limited amount of space on the floor, and honestly at times I wish there would be less people there, regardless of how good they are. And sometimes, its worse when they are good – I know there is potential for awesome dances, but when there isn’t space, its just not quite awesome... and besides, just cos the dancers you have heard of don’t come out every week, doesn’t mean the dancers that do aren’t still a little bit awesome. 
I like to think that I am somewhere in the top half (abilitywise) of the regular social dancers in my local scene. Which means, without wanting to big myself up – and that is def not my intent, that our top level of regular social dancers are pretty damn good. So no, they may not be the names you’ve heard of, but there’s plenty of inspiration around the place as far as I’m concerned. And those dancers you have heard of, they’re around. They teach some classes, they dj, and just every once in a while they appear and give us a show.

Since I expect this is only read by friends, this makes it harder to make comments without them seeming personal. Huh…
I recently went to a dance camp where the levels were named after animals instead of the usual beginner/intermediate/advanced. And I like the idea of making people read the level description instead of them just picking the name that they associate with their level of dancing. The only problem comes, in my opinion, with the introduction of time. If you say someone must have been dancing for 1 year to make this level, and a person has been dancing for 2 years, they will assume the level will be too easy. Similarly comments like ‘one of the top dancers in your local scene’ can be somewhat misleading depending on the size of your scene. But somewhere the descriptions have to be defined. And it can have the opposite effect with people levelling themselves too low – for example, a camp I went to last year has an advanced level and a master class level. I am not “international teacher level” so will never put myself in their master class level. But I did take one of their classes last year and would have been fine to do the weekend at that level. So, while knowing it can be hard to place yourself, I’m glad I’m not the one writing the level descriptions – I def couldn’t do a better job! 
But the comment I really wanted to make about it, is the idea of social responsibility. I understand that people want to push themselves, people like a challenge, but I do think people should remember that they are not the only ones in a class that their choice of level affects. The experience of the other participants relies on some sort of social responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, I love dancing with people who are much better than me – it makes it so much easier to learn something if the other person already has it down. But I’ve also been in classes where I’ve felt like I was holding someone else back. And that’s just unfair. So yes, its nice to be challenged, but if you don’t already have the blocks that the teachers are trying to build on, you wont be able to get it. Which means that each time you dance with someone, they wont get it. Or they wont know if they’ve got it. So it isn’t enough to say I want a challenge.
The best attitude I’ve seen on this came from a guy I met at Herräng. I switched levels, and when I told him he would be fine in the higher level, he said he thought that may be true, but he knows he doesn’t learn fast, so would rather stay in the lower level. I thought this was wonderful. Esp because the dance world seems overrun by people trying to be a higher level than they are. I think everyone gets to the point (some quicker than others) where they realise that these level names are just names, and that what's more important is being in the class where you get taught the things you most need to work on. People seem to be more bothered by whether the class is named intermediate or advanced rather than what its working on, or what they need to be working on.
Also, if you’re taking an advanced class, act like it. Dance your best all the time. Yes we get tired and cant always give it 100%, but your level of input shouldn’t be based on who your current partner is/who you’re trying to impress! If you need a break take a break, watch for a while, or walk thru the steps. But don’t just come in and give it 50% because you don’t know your partner or you think they matter less. Or because these teachers aren’t the internationals that you’re trying to impress. Surely your dance ability should be based on what level you actually dance at rather than what level you can dance at when you’re at your peak and everything is going right, once or twice a year…!

Floorcraft
HELLO – is it really that complicated? If there's someone already in that space, don’t fling your partner at them!! Yes I dance on a very crowded dance floor, and no it isn’t as fun to spend the whole time watching where you are and where everyone else is, but its more fun than getting trodden on!! I am a big believer that the after effects of dancing should be a happy buzz, and not a lot of bruises. So yes, this counts as social responsibility, but if there isn’t space to dance, then don’t. I’m not saying its all leaders fault, followers have responsibility too for watching the space around them. And yes sometimes these things happen, but if you stand on more than 3 different people in the space of one song, you’re doing it wrong!
Thing is, I’ve done enough leading to know it isn’t that simple. You’re busy trying to remember moves, working out what to lead next, and how to lead it. So yes adding floorcraft into that mix, it isn’t easy. But it isn’t optional. I’ve danced with enough leads who’ve said lets not dance next to them, he/she is dangerous. Which means that the dancer in question has been there often enough that people are aware of their approach (or lack of) to floorcraft. Maybe this should get mentioned in classes. Maybe its cos as an English person I’ve noticed that we seem to be much more afraid of touching strangers, but crashing into people isn’t enjoyable, even if it doesn’t always hurt. Apart from anything else, it disturbs your dance! Be more aware people!!
And if you do stand on someone, particularly if you’re wearing heels, at least have the decency to apologise!!