Is tango for old people?

[barrefly]

Yes, salsa crowds are much younger. I have a lot of friends who have turned salseros/salseras. When I ask them why they quit tango, all their answers have the same theme... "Tango is so hard, and takes too long to learn; Salsa is so easy; There's a beat we can follow; It's happy, tango is just so intense—we can't handle it; The contact is too close; etc."

That's why (IMHO) the salsa crowds is younger. Lack of patience, and geared more towards instant gratification.

I totally agree Amstper, (imagine that.).

 

[barrefly]

Yes, salsa crowds are much younger. I have a lot of friends who have turned salseros/salseras. When I ask them why they quit tango, all their answers have the same theme... "Tango is so hard, and takes too long to learn; Salsa is so easy; There's a beat we can follow; It's happy, tango is just so intense—we can't handle it; The contact is too close; etc."

That's why (IMHO) the salsa crowds is younger. Lack of patience, and geared more towards instant gratification.

I totally agree Amstper, (imagine that.).

 

[wonderwoman]

Probably differs from city to city. But I think a relatively consistent factor is that "young people" (I'll say anyone under 40) tend to stick to bars, where ever their friends are, have kids, work all the time, etc and don't get out to dances, in general. So many of us are hesitant to, if not against, trying anything new, especially if it's not hip and trendy or at least fairly mainstream. AT is so obscure, most people know OF ballroom tango, but would never consider trying it. It's when the kids move away and now you've got time in your hands - Oh, let's go try something new... Oh, how about Argentine tango! lol

 

[Angel HI]

Probably differs from city to city.

Agreed. FTR, in both of my former studios (2K miles apart), and on the Gulf, younger dancers outnumber the over 40s by a big margin.

 

[tangotime]

people in salsa comminty are very young.

You apparently havent been to Tampa !! ( to name but one location ) and I dont have anyone in my current salsa class under 40..its all about location..

 

[bordertangoman]

Yeah wishful thinking, spectator!

I think tango is one of those dances you come to after getting bored with other dances. Or jaded. Whatever. So yes by the time you get to tango you've been around the block a few times

around the block tied to a taxi cab..... more like

 

[tangobro]

I have danced tango for more than 10 months and I noticed that almost %80 of people in tango community are older than 40! I think that most of people start to dance tango when they are 40 or 50 years old. Its very hard to see young people at the milongas.

By the way I am from Turkey. How about other countries?

According to the demographic statistics on my You Tube channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/Tangobro

most viewers are over 45.

However at the milongas here in New York City, in the U.S., there are many dancers under 40. In fact there are quite a few Turkish guys here who are under 40, and are good dancers.

 

[Joe]

You apparently havent been to Tampa !! ( to name but one location ) and I dont have anyone in my current salsa class under 40..its all about location..

Yeah, probably anywhere in Fla you go it's probably that way except for Miami. Snowbirds...

 

[Captain Jep]

In fact there are quite a few Turkish guys here who are under 40, and are good dancers.

Careful. We dont want the older ladies to go on holiday and bring back a Turkish boyfriend..

 

[Albanaich]

Well having toured the United Kingodm doing dance. . . .I might add some perspectives

Lindy Hop - under 30
West Coast Swing - under 40
Modern Jive - under 50
Arentine Tango - under 60
Ballroom - over 60
Salsa - under 50

But each venue varies enormously -