For me, the cabeceo rather is newfangled. People in my tango cohort started talking about the cabeceo in 2006, in connection with the arrival of the milonguero style. That is, we had a vibrant tango scene for over 20 years that functioned without the cabeceo. In our milongas, however, the cabeceo was only used sporadically from 2012 onwards, because the Encuentro wave somehow left its mark.
I wouldn't describe it as a significant number, but there are certainly cases of that in the younger milongas, and it will be interesting to see if it changes over the next decade or two.
Data Point: A certain well-known, dare I say famous, tango "orkesta" from BA is in town right now. Their members dance, and they've been dancing at our milongas. They just walk up to women and pull them onto the dancefloor. My cabeceo evoked smirks when seen at one point. And yes, they're on the younger side.
Wasn't there an incident with the keyboard?
Isn't that just a case of another Argentinian cultural example in the context rather than a more 'refined' milonga attitude ?
I don't see it as a question of the age of the milonga or the age of the dancers. It's a fundamental divide based on demands and expectations. On the one hand, there's the conservative clientele who meet at encuentros; they see the cabeceo as a ritual. On the other hand, there are people who have ambitions in dance technique and avoid encuentros. This group doesn't need a cabeceo. Ultimately, it's not about age, but about the level of skill the dancer has achieved.
Indeed!
I cannot say. As I wrote, it's a single data point.
No, although the question is unanswered as to whether that's a general preference or a result of the "rock star" effect. People let celebrities get away with murder (sometimes literally . . .) in areas where they wouldn't cut an ordinary person the least slack. I've seen people line up to dance with tango stars who were – to be blunt – rude, unkempt, and dancing to advertise, while totally ignoring polite, clean alternatives who were ready to dance with emotion. Social climbing is a helluva drug.
I take some exception to "avoid encuentros." It's more like encuentros avoid them. At least here, encuentros are invitation-only. I'd happily attend such an event were I invited, but I'm never invited . . . meanwhile, I could name probably 20-30 people who are invited and who aren't polite in their invitations or how they dance. My local experience is that encuentros are entirely about who you know, and not at all about your adherence to códigos or style of tango.
The problem is when it gets used as selective double edge sword. Like you wrote cutting slack, but it goes beyond that. Taking umbrage at ordinary person but happily accepting from those above on the perceived “social” ladder. Which is what most “celebrities” are in Tango - a bigger fish in a very small pond.
Indeed. When someone is the type to take advantage, they do so of those trying that climb. People are willing or have blind spots to let themselves be abused, disrespected, given grief, etc to participate in social climbing.
As in the 'club' you wouldn't join even if they'd have you as a member?
Yeah, sadly visiting pros of all kinds sometimes do that, knowing they can get away with it (though I did once enjoy seeing a teacher try it and the follower telling him a very loud 'No' as she jerked her hand back).
In my very limited experience, they do check that you have a reputation for adhering to the códigos and that you dance in close embrace. However, as they are invitation-only, you do of course have to become known to the organisers one way or another. I would say it is an AND rather than an OR.
There seems a great deal of overlap between the two. The milongas I would personally describe as informal were mostly frequented by those in their 20s and 30s.
