Say "No" when you don't like

Well, I don't agrue about my open choreography. However, I still voice my opinion - "Can we make the rumba more romantic? Cha more playful?" But if it's a specific move, I hesitate saying anything. One of my friends who's competing pro/am said that every part he didn't like or didn't feel right, he messed up during competitions. Sometimes, if you pitch in a little "I love the slidding doors", or "can I do this instead?" maybe talk in little circles to avoid conflict. My pro and I finished up our rumba routine and I was able to have some input in it! :) Good luck!
 
Bella said:
One of my friends who's competing pro/am said that every part he didn't like or didn't feel right, he messed up during the competitions.
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This one I can definitely identify with. Chacha routine I did at last comp had one pattern that I have never been comfortable with, and really don't like. But since we had originallly planned to do syllabus steps 3-5 (level I was competing at), in all dances, I put it in.

Messed it up probalby 75% of time in first few heats though, so when FP and I were getting ready to go out there again, I told her i was dropping that step and doing something else. other step went much better and took first in that heat, so definitely good reason to do what you're comfortable with (while spending all the time between competitions improving/becoming more comfrotable with those same steps).
 
dlgodud said:
This year I've decided to compete as pro-am and we started to make routines. The problem is that sometimes my instructor pushs me to do something that I don't like. I am very clear what I like about something or not. So steps or moves that I don't like, but he pursues me to do that, I lose my interest. Until now I clearly said " no" in these situations. But, I am just wondering if I am too strong to take my instructors opinon and look like nagging all the time. And also is this behavior insulting my instructor?
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I don't think it's insulting. The real question is, when it's crunch time on the competition floor, is your instructor going to remember not to do that figure with you, or will he lead it anyway? It's not always easy keeping the preferences of a whole bunch of students straight.
 
elisedance said:
Could you add what level you are dancing at? If its schollarship then I agree with you but if its pre-bronze I would say grin and bear it (with everything else in between). The reason of course is that steps can always be changed in open but at the entry syllabus levels you could prevent your pro from actually traversing the floor ;)
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To answer your question, it's open level. Yes, I used to grin and bear whatever my teacher did.

I guess I also watched too many Youtube video and it kind of spoiled me a lot.
 
I whine and moan and groan, but eventually give in. He seems to know my potential better than I do. (Which it IS a good thing, as this is just still ALL so new)

Honestly though, if it something that I am not really comfortable with, he modifies it for me or does something different, then revisit it later.
 
Warren J. Dew said:
I don't think it's insulting. The real question is, when it's crunch time on the competition floor, is your instructor going to remember not to do that figure with you, or will he lead it anyway? It's not always easy keeping the preferences of a whole bunch of students straight.
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Yes. This is one of things that I worry about. I've read postings regarding this issue and that's one of reason I posted this question.
 
I do whatever my pro tells me to do, I figure she knows better than me. If it is a move I don't like I figure I'm not very good at it. If I'm not good at it, it targets an area of my dancing that is weak. If I can make my weaknesses strengths then I'll become that much better of a dancer, but hey I'm masochistic.
 
etp777 said:
This one I can definitely identify with. Chacha routine I did at last comp had one pattern that I have never been comfortable with, and really don't like. But since we had originallly planned to do syllabus steps 3-5 (level I was competing at), in all dances, I put it in.

Messed it up probalby 75% of time in first few heats though, so when FP and I were getting ready to go out there again, I told her i was dropping that step and doing something else. other step went much better and took first in that heat, so definitely good reason to do what you're comfortable with (while spending all the time between competitions improving/becoming more comfrotable with those same steps).
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I think it is different for a leader. Even though she's a teacher, ultimately at the competition you have to lead it and she will have to follow, whatever it was. And as a follower, I eventually have to do whatever is coming my way.
 
now there is where i disagree...;)...I make unintentional executive decisions about what we are going to do all of the time
 
jivechica said:
I would suggest to give it a chance first. You may not like something initially but after some practice you might change your mind. If after a while you still don't like it, I would talk to the pro and maybe suggest some steps you've seen that you would prefer to do instead.
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I agree with this. Usually DP and I will try whatever our teachers give us for some time. If, after practicing and competing something for awhile it feels awkward, or we feel it's not the best step for us, we'll go back and modify. I think it's good for routines to evolve anyway....
 
I tend to do whatever steps my pro feels I should do. Having persisted with the ones I loathe, I think I've learnt something from them (despite still hating them) & am a stronger dancer as a result. Doesn't mean I don't quibble about it sometimes, I just tend to lose the argument ;)
 
I whine and moan and groan, but eventually give in. He seems to know my potential better than I do. (Which it IS a good thing, as this is just still ALL so new)

Honestly though, if it something that I am not really comfortable with, he modifies it for me or does something different, then revisit it later.
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That is exactly how my lessons/competitions work. Eventually, I give up because between the two of us, my pro is more stubborn than I am AND he is actually the instructor!
 
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