Choices, choices.

[pygmalion]

Earlier this week, one of my dance teachers referred me to two possible dance partners, and I'm trying to choose which one to approach. One is an older (not old) gentleman I've known for a couple years -- a social dancer with a few bad habits to overcome, but a pretty good dancer and a nice guy. The other is relatively inexperienced, in my age group, open to new challenges, and drop-dead gorgeous.

I'm looking for a reliable, platonic dance partner to practice with and potentially compete with. Basically, I've given you all the information I have about the two men.

Just curious. If you were me, which would you choose and why?

[pygmalion]

Oh yeah, and both are reasonably fit, well-proportioned, and of reasonable height. And they both do smooth and rhythm dances.

[SDsalsaguy]

I'd say it depends on your priorities. The older gentleman sounds like he'd probably be more of a sure bet as far as a reliable practice partner with less possability for any problems regarding a platonic partnering. The younger guy sounds like a more viable competition partner, but with more room for some partnering drama as well... (although any and/or all of this could be entirely off base, especially working from such limmited background data!)

HTH

[pygmalion]

Sad, sad, sad. After all the moral support I've doled out in the past months, you'd think somebody besides SD would come to my rescue with handy-dandy advice. :cry: :lol:

I guess I'm forced to make my own decision. So I'm making a dance "date" with each of them, to talk about goals and try things on for size. Worse case scenarios: I end up with two partners, or else none. *shrug* Either way is no worse off than I am now.

[Sagitta]

I'd say it depends on your priorities. The older gentleman sounds like he'd probably be more of a sure bet as far as a reliable practice partner with less possability for any problems regarding a platonic partnering. The younger guy sounds like a more viable competition partner, but with more room for some partnering drama as well... (although any and/or all of this could be entirely off base, especially working from such limmited background data!)

HTH

Ditto!

Sad, sad, sad. After all the moral support I've doled out in the past months, you'd think somebody besides SD would come to my rescue with handy-dandy advice.

Remember the animal that DF has become? It's tough getting through all the posts now!! :) The best way to decide is to have some face-face interaction with each of the potentials. There are things that we can learn from a person in person that are impossible to find out any other way. And you have alreday decided to do it, so that's great. :)

[peachexploration]

So I'm making a dance "date" with each of them, to talk about goals and try things on for size. .. ..

Pygmalion, I think your way is the best way. Meet with both of them and make sure it's a good fit and go with your instincts. I don't have much to go on as far as suggesting either of them. I will just say just drill them like crazy in the dance interview as I know you will. :wink: The only other suggestion I can make is to make sure they are as SERIOUS about dance as you are if not more. Committment wise and Financially as well. I don't mean to sound superficial but if you're planning on competing, it could get quite expensive for both of you. Let us know how it goes. :D :D

[dragon3085]

IF you want strictly platonic go for the older guy. He seems to be a little head of the curve already anyway. I know from personal experience dancing all the time with a cute girl my age and can get tough, even though I'm engaged- my fiance is still in Argentina so I have pick up dance partners where I can until the paperwork is done. And I'm a good boy but don't think thoughts haven't crossed my mind :twisted:.

[pygmalion]

Yup. My thoughts exactly. That's why I mentioned that the younger guy is a real looker. I mean, a cutie. That's relevant, even though I'm not looking. Long, hot and sweaty dance practice sessions ... Well, you know. :oops: :lol: May as well avoid any problems up front. I'll still probably talk to them both, but, in the absense of any other info, I'd go for the older guy.

[msc]

The flip side is, the older guy might not have the ability to improve that the younger guy has. If the two are at about the same ability level in terms of body mechanics (rib isolations, hip movement, body control) then you probably should go with the younger guy.

[pygmalion]

Okay. Okay. I'll schedule my two dance "dates," probably a public ballroom dance where both ballroom and Latin get played, and see what I see. *shrug*

[DancingMommy]

I'd probably go for the younger guy... Bad habits are hard to break! But a clean slate is easierr to fill with the good stuff. Maybe you could split a lesson with both guys (one at a time) with your coach and see what he thinks about the partnership. That could definitley play a part in how you decide.

[Larinda McRaven]

a clean slate is easierr to fill with the good stuff.

ditto, the younger guy probably has more room to grow and less to unlearn.

but definately give them both an equal shot. give each of them time with you and your coach on a lesson to see how the three of you interact as well.

good luck.
hello to Rick

[brujo]

one word: cointoss

option b: deathmatch

[peachexploration]

one word: cointoss

option b: deathmatch

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[pygmalion]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I think I'm going to go with the suggestion of dancing with them both, and getting my coach to help me pick. Although I must admit, the deathmatch idea has its merits! :lol:

[Taita]

How about a 2 out of 3 steel cage match... :wink:

[dancin_feet]

Is the main reason you are not leaning towards the younger guy because of a potential personal problem? If it is, I would dismiss it as this can get sorted out very early on in the partnership. If you have a chemistry on the dance floor, it will help with the expressive side of your dancing, no end. IMO you need to have a little bit of attraction there to get that wow factor that you will probably need for competition. Doesn't mean that you have to act on it. I personally dance better with someone who makes me feel sexy on the dancefloor, rather than someone who doesn't.

I would dance with both of them yourself and see who you feel you are dancing better with. Then take that person to your instructor. You are the one going to be practising and competing with them. If it doesn't feel right, no amount of practice will make it look right. Whereas if it feels right, but the look needs work, that can be done.

Good luck! :wink:

[SDsalsaguy]

If it doesn't feel right, no amount of practice will make it look right. Whereas if it feels right, but the look needs work, that can be done.
I like this formulation d_f! :D

[pygmalion]

You sound so reasonable, dancin_feet. btw, the cute guy emailed me today. He didn't wait for me to contact him! :oops: :D So I have my first dance encounter with the younger, cuter guy. I'll keep you all posted. ... Unless anything interesting happens. LOL. Just kidding. :lol: :lol:

[dancin_feet]

Maybe try to keep the two encounters close together so that you can compare the two better. Just keep an open mind. Don't think of them as the "cute" one and the "older" one, just think of them both as potential partners, close your eyes when dancing with them if you have to. Then hone in on the one that feels best.

Of course the one that feels best may have a crappy personality - just another thing you have to consider! :D

[pygmalion]

Personality? :shock: I hadn't even thought about that. :lol: :lol: Just kidding. That's good input. If I'm going to spend potentially hundreds of hours in this guy's company, I'd better think about personality. :? 8) :D