Collegiality among dancers within different styles

[White Chacha]

This is a kind of offshoot from the "Thinking like a Student" thread.

Some time ago, a fellow teammate said to me that she thought the team's standard dancers were more collegial than the latin dancers. She went on to say that she thought that when dancing standard, couples actively help other couples to improve. Within a latin context, couples kept more to themselves.

I don't know why this is. Teaching culture (you will get all your answers from the teacher vs. learn how to think about the principles) the nature of the dance, a different kind of competitiveness? I don't want to set up any kind of "style 1 vs style 2" thing here! Differences don't mean better or worse.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

[Warren J. Dew]

When you talk about couples who "help other couples to improve", are you talking about more experienced couples helping less experienced couples, or are you talking about couples who are peers helping each other?

[Chris Stratton]

I've often thought that standard was more "puzzle it out" vs. latin being more "drill it"... if that is true it might invite collaborative problem solving.

[TAK]

Just a follower's perspective, but perhaps it matters that in Standard it's just physically more difficult to see what's going on with one's own body? Meaning...um...I shouldn't ever look down at my feet in Latin, but sometimes I do. Since most of us are so visual, I would think that having a sense of being unable to "see" one's Standard mistakes might encourage couples to solicit (or at least be open to) help from peers. Again, this may be totally irrelevant for leads...

[Warren J. Dew]

I suspect that in the original poster's case, it's more of a sociological issue than a technical one.

[danceronice]

I suspect that in the original poster's case, it's more of a sociological issue than a technical one.

IAWTC. I dont' think it's style, I think it's that group of people. My impression where I've danced has always been the opposite.

[Meagan]

IAWTC. I dont' think it's style, I think it's that group of people. My impression where I've danced has always been the opposite.

I agree with this. I've been places where both were the case...sometimes its the studio environment that lends itself to one way or another and sometimes its just the individuals ;) But I don't think its really the styles

[tanya_the_dancer]

Just a follower's perspective, but perhaps it matters that in Standard it's just physically more difficult to see what's going on with one's own body? Meaning...um...I shouldn't ever look down at my feet in Latin, but sometimes I do. Since most of us are so visual, I would think that having a sense of being unable to "see" one's Standard mistakes might encourage couples to solicit (or at least be open to) help from peers. Again, this may be totally irrelevant for leads...

I think you have a point. I practice all 4 styles, and a lot of times I feel that there is more I can work on by myself, and even without a partner in rhythm & latin compared to smooth & standard. Also, I feel that my learning curve is slower when it comes to latin & rhythm technique. Anyway, I think someone specializing in a style which focuses more on individual work is less likely to become helpful if they don't have natural tendency to do so. And on the opposite side, people specializing in a style where you need more outside help are more likely to overcome their natural solitary tendencies and help others, because in order to get help, you need to give some, too.

[Ray Sison]

This is a kind of offshoot from the "Thinking like a Student" thread.

Some time ago, a fellow teammate said to me that she thought the team's standard dancers were more collegial than the latin dancers. She went on to say that she thought that when dancing standard, couples actively help other couples to improve. Within a latin context, couples kept more to themselves.

I don't know why this is. Teaching culture (you will get all your answers from the teacher vs. learn how to think about the principles) the nature of the dance, a different kind of competitiveness? I don't want to set up any kind of "style 1 vs style 2" thing here! Differences don't mean better or worse.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

I don't see this at our studio, White Chacha. I see a lot of collegiality all around. Based upon what others have noted, it seems variable depending upon the people and environment involved.

[White Chacha]

When you talk about couples who "help other couples to improve", are you talking about more experienced couples helping less experienced couples, or are you talking about couples who are peers helping each other?

I meant both. And I think it is a sociology issue.