Name that Face

[Pacion]

Someone asked me today, if I knew two people, [insert names] in the London salsa scene. One is here, one has moved away. My response? :oops: The name does not ring any bells. I probably know them by face.

Enquiring minds :wink: would like to know:

- do you know the names of many of the regular dancers you see?
- do you ever ask what your partner's name is and if so, roughly how often? (eg. everytime or occassionally?)
- referring to the "Shutup and Dance" thread, :lol: when do you ask? Before, during or after/when getting coats?
- how do you feel if someone asks you your name, or volunteers theirs first?
- if someone volunteers theirs, how do you respond? A nod, a glance away, with your name?

:lol: I promise you that this is not "homework". Yes, I do have a few more questions but can't think of them just now. So, give me time :wink:

[borikensalsero]

- do you know the names of many of the regular dancers you see?
Nope, I know them very well by face, and are buddy buddy with a bunch, but I only really know a few by name.
- do you ever ask what your partner's name is and if so, roughly how often? (eg. everytime or occassionally?)
Rarely ever, I say hello, how are you, thank you so much, that was great, you are an excellent dancer, etc, but rarley any names. In fact there is this one lady who she and have an unbelievable dance connection. We dance together 2 or 3 nights a week about 5 dances, yet in one year, I've yet to ask her name.
- referring to the "Shutup and Dance" thread, :lol: when do you ask? Before, during or after/when getting coats?
If I was to ask, it would be right after the dance, after I'm done complementing her.
- how do you feel if someone asks you your name, or volunteers theirs first?
I think is so corteous, I don't know why i don't do it, it feels sweet, carring and welcoming.

- if someone volunteers theirs, how do you respond? A nod, a glance away, with your name? I say, hello such and such, a pleasure to know your name. I've see you each night and dance each night with you and really never knew your name. My name is... And off I with a small chit chat...

[etchuck]

Yeah, that's a problem I generally have in just about all of my dancing. I don't tend to ask for names. Maybe the music is a bit loud, or the dancing community likes to keep things "mysterious" or "anonymous"... as if that might enhance the dancing. Which I admit in some cases it might.

Of course, even better is the fact that I would never recognize any of the other leaders/men who dance, save for the few that every woman tells me they want to be sure they stay away from. THEN I notice why.

The thing is, who wants to wear a name tag?

Of course the advantage is that the anonymity should keep creepy people away from stalking other dancers.

The only exception to this general observation (not that I remember the names of any of those dancers so much) is contra/vintage dancing, where you do generally get to meet everyone you dance with at some point.

Sure if there's someone who I find myself really enjoying dancing, I'll wind up trying to dance with that person again and again, try to get contact info before that person leaves, or hopefully at the end of the dance. Invite people after dancing to eat at the local greasy spoon/diner or late-night sit-down restaurant. Then you get to know people.

[MacMoto]

- do you know the names of many of the regular dancers you see?
No -- I'm particularly bad with women's names. I don't do a lot of talking at dance venues, and since I don't dance with women, I don't have a chance to exchange names with them. I do feel bad about it though. :oops:

- do you ever ask what your partner's name is and if so, roughly how often? (eg. everytime or occassionally?)
Only when I've had a couple of dances with him and really enjoyed them (so I can seek him out next time :wink:). But more often than not I forget to ask and kick myself later... my brain stops working when I'm dancing. :oops:

- referring to the "Shutup and Dance" thread, :lol: when do you ask? Before, during or after/when getting coats?
After the dance or before leaving the place.

- how do you feel if someone asks you your name, or volunteers theirs first?
- if someone volunteers theirs, how do you respond? A nod, a glance away, with your name?
I don't have any problem about giving my name (people often forget quickly anyway) -- as long as he doesn't try to start a conversation mid dance. :twisted:

[danceguy]

Great thread Pacion...and its interesting to hear that I am not the only one who knows people in clubs by face and personality...but not by name. ;)

do you know the names of many of the regular dancers you see?

Some because I've gone to workshops and/or am in classes with them. Some I have befriended and know by name...but there are many that I know as anonymous dancers. :P

- do you ever ask what your partner's name is and if so, roughly how often? (eg. everytime or occassionally?)

It depends...at the one Ballroom venue I occasionally go to...we wear name tags. Even so...I forget women's names easily. I very rarely ask someone's name...depends on the person and the situtation. Of course, if its someone I want to ask out...I may ask for a name. :wink:

- referring to the "Shutup and Dance" thread, when do you ask? Before, during or after/when getting coats?

Usually after the dance...there was a lady I knew from class and had danced with her now and then for a few months...but had no idea what her name was. After a really good dance one day she told me her name and so I shared mine as well. Sometimes I will ask during a dance lesson, but during a social dance...usually never.

- how do you feel if someone asks you your name, or volunteers theirs first?

I think it helps melt the ice a bit. :D

- if someone volunteers theirs, how do you respond? A nod, a glance away, with your name?

I smile and introduce myself...give a few compliments...thank them for the dance...unless I'm eager to go running in the opposite direction. :shock:

Best,

SG

[SDsalsaguy]

- do you know the names of many of the regular dancers you see?
Nope, can't say I do. Actually, I'm awful with names. It's really bad too... I can get to the end of the quarter and still not know the names of a student or two if they never really participate in sections. I'll be bale to tell you what they wrote about, what they do well, and what they may still need help with, but their name?

- do you ever ask what your partner's name is and if so, roughly how often? (eg. everytime or occassionally?)
If it is someone new, who I haven't danced with before, and I enjoyed the dance I will generally ask them for their name. I'm not entirely sure why I ask seeing as how unlikely I am to remember it, but I guess I really just want to know "who" I just enjoyed that dance with.

- referring to the "Shutup and Dance" thread, :lol: when do you ask? Before, during or after/when getting coats?
After a good dance...

- how do you feel if someone asks you your name, or volunteers theirs first?
- if someone volunteers theirs, how do you respond? A nod, a glance away, with your name?
I say "nice to meet you so-and-so. I'm Jonathan. Thanks for that dance."

[dancingdragon]

Hi, I'm new to DF so the subject of knowing names and faces seems an appropriate thread to join in on for a start!

I live in a smallish city that has few dance studios and even fewer opportunities for social dancing so it is a pretty tight-knit scene, but still I don't know the names of everyone I dance with! I do make a point of asking names though, especially in progressive kind of ones where we're likely to go around the whole circle a few times - but don't ask me to remember your name the next time I dance with you! :oops:

The worst time to ask someone about themselves is just as you're getting into the rhythm of the dance - it really puts you off! Chicks are supposed to be able to multitask, but I for one cannot dance and talk at the same time. (Not very well anyway!) :?

I think the entire point of dancing is that it's a social activity, so I try to be as friendly, welcoming and encouraging as I can, and I don't mind it when people ask my name. I usually volunteer mine first.

Anyway, it's been fun reading through all the posts, and I look forward to hearing more from you groovy, happy-feeted people!

[dancin_feet]

Welcome dancingdragon. Nice to see a kiwi here.

Generally if I am not introduced, or introduce myself before I dance with someone, I don't ask during or after. You eventually find out everyone's name by talking to other people, but don't expect me to remember until I have heard it at least 5 times!

[Sagitta]

I guess this thread is as good as any to start posting in df dancingdragon. All that matters to me is that you started posting and participating as I really enjoy reading what different people have to say. Welcome!! :D

[Sagitta]

I'm not sure when exactly I ask people for their names. I guess it depends on my mood. I know more people by their face then by name. I had started to make an effort to get to know people by name recently, before going on vacation, as I think that it gives a person a "better feeling" if you ask them to dance by name rather then simply asking them to dance. Not sure how many I'll remember when I get back into dancing next week, though. :oops:

If someone asks my name I always tell mine, and if I have forgotten theirs ask them, or if I have never asked them before I ask them for theirs etc.

If I'm really into a song and someone asks me during a dance it disrupts the dance for me, so I don't like it. However, if I'm just doing sequencing of moves as it is an okay song, or chatting with a beginner to distract them from feeling self conscious...or a related situation, I don't mind.

[SDsalsaguy]

Welcome to the forums dancingdragon! Yay, another kiwi!!! :D

[squirrel]

I guess knowing people by their given names is related also to the size of the dance community. For instance, the dance community in my country is small (salsa dance I mean) so sooner or later you get to know most people by their names... not all though, and not from the very beginning... you say hi to most people, share friendly kisses when you meet, but names... why on Earth do I need their names? usually the best dancers' names are known by everybody... am I right?
I mean, Pacion, is there anyone in London who doesn't knowo who Super Mario or Susanna or Leon are???