Drama at the Studio - Opinions

[IndyLady]

Going on a ballroom cruise sounds like so much fun tho. I hear some ships have beautiful ballrooms.

I am sure this was meant as a joke. Long time cruiser here, only the suites have nice bathrooms, otherwise the postage stamp size bathroom in most rooms is the butt of jokes.

I think we might be confusing BALLrooms and BATHrooms here. (ETA: I can't fix the misquote. First was happyhorsie, second is ChaCha1)

However, I can confirm your observations about cruise ship bathrooms, and on a related random note, my spouse and I were once required to do our American rumba basic in the small space behind the front desk to force us to tighten it up, which we referred to thereafter as "penalty box rumba", so when I think of dance and cruise ship bathrooms, I'm kind of like "challenge accepted".

 

[Happyhorsie]

In theory I would love to go on a ballroom dance cruise, but I'm gonna need a guaranteed supply of satisfactory partners.

They used to hired ballroom “hosts” to make sure there were competent partners!

Really, I’m more interested in being trapped on an enclosed space with nothing to do except ballroom 24/7, rather than the actual cruise aspect lol. I’m sure I get more bang for my buck at my on-land studio overall.

 

[fatherdowling]

I remember reading about a woman who retired to a cruise ship, she gets to travel the world and it’s cheaper than a retirement home. She switched cruise lines a few years back because the one line got rid of the dance partner program.

I have no interest in dancing at one of these big franchises but I must admit a cruise did sound fun. Lol

 

[Dupont]

Wow! I knew that rules about fraternization and similar exist in studios, but to that extent?!

Are those rules imposed with sole purpose to suppress potential distractions from training?

 

[Joe]

The purpose of most restrictions are to limit the possibilities for a student or instructor to move to another studio.

 

[raindance]

The purpose of most restrictions are to limit the possibilities for a student or instructor to move to another studio.

Yes. They want the money sources (student paying, teacher generating income) to stay put!

 

[opendoor]

The purpose of most restrictions are to limit the possibilities for a student or instructor to move to another studio.

But then the studio or franchise would be at a disadvantage: trainers and students have market power and could refuse the clauses right when signing their contracts.

 

[lucia_l]

But then the studio or franchise would be at a disadvantage: trainers and students have market power and could refuse the clauses right when signing their contracts.

Many trainers may have limited power to refuse. Job offers can be take it or leave it. Unless you are something special, if you refuse, the franchise will just hire someone else. This can even happen if you are somewhat special because the franchise don't necessarily value the best teachers enough to risk the students leaving when the teacher leaves.

Students have market power in some markers. I would here in the suburbs of Chicago. But in some markets not going to a particular studio might mean a 2 hour drive to the next nearest. What's my choice?

 

[Greybeard]

But then the studio or franchise would be at a disadvantage: trainers and students have market power and could refuse the clauses right when signing their contracts.

How many people actually read contracts? I do, and I'm sure ProgressNotPerfection does, but other people? The online terms and conditions are probably the least read.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

How many people actually read contracts? I do, and I'm sure ProgressNotPerfection does, but other people? The online terms and conditions are probably the least read.

You are correct!
**runs to grab red editing pen**

 

[lucia_l]

I read them. Only one studio I've gotten a packages at had a contract we signed. We had them add in that we could cancel and get a refund if they substituted teachers without our approval.

 

[opendoor]

..might mean a 2 hour drive to the next nearest. What's my choice?

Organize a private study group, then ask the trainer if they would be willing to take the two hours per week and teach the course freelance.

 

[Pryn]

I read them. Only one studio I've gotten a packages at had a contract we signed. We had them add in that we could cancel and get a refund if they substituted teachers without our approval.

I also read them... and ask hypothetical questions with scenario possibilities.

Many of these conversations sound like...

Them: Are you really reading all of this? We just spent 30 mins already talked about everything that's in the contract.

Me: Yes, I am. I'm not signing anything I haven't read... wait... we didn't talk about X,Y, Z here in paragraph 3 on page 2. What happens if...? Or, what is my recourse if A,B, or C occurs?

Them: *Thinking* They don't pay me enough to dance and be an attorney. Just sign it, lady... *Verbally* This is what happens...or, that requires approval by the owner.

Me: *Thinking* You're gonna earn every penny of my commission and I will likely be asking for a change or two so go get your manager now to save time.
<smiles patiently while waiting for you to realize you should go get the manager>

 

[lucia_l]

Organize a private study group, then ask the trainer if they would be willing to take the two hours per week and teach the course freelance.

I don't think this is workable.

First: I don't want to study in a group. I want private lessons. (But honestly, your idea wouldn't work even if I wanted group lessons.)

Second, if the trainer works at a studio, he's likely bound by a non-compete while working there. The studio could not only fire them but also seize any earnings obtained in violation of the no compete.
Even if they are not under a non-compete, the studio can fire them for teaching outside the studio. So I wouldn't be able to hire a trainer who works at that studio to come give me private lessons or organize a regular 2 hour group lesson.

Third: the entire problem is in some parts of the country, the are very few to no independent trainers. The reason is there are insufficient number of clients. So the only trainers around work for the only studio around. If independent trainers existed (as they do in the Chicago area), I would have no difficulty.


I think you are in Europe. I suspect you truly don't grasp the idea of "living in the middle of nowhere" because Europeans often don't grasp that. There is a lot of "middle of nowhere" in the US. But if I were to even get as far away from Chicago as, say "Morris, Il", I would likely have a difficult time getting a good teacher who taught the dance style I want to learn within a 1-2 hour drive of my home.

 

[opendoor]

.. I suspect you truly don't grasp the idea of "living in the middle of nowhere" because Europeans often don't grasp that..

I understand. Where I live, accredited trainers could do whatever they wanted if they were successful. They were courted by studios and clubs and were allowed to have privates in the studio and elsewhere.