Social Butterfly or Alone in the Zone?

[fascination]

I noticed at this recent comp that current pro is so so much more social than my previous pros with whom I had gotten into the habit of isolating and distancing per their styles.. What' s your practice?.. and does it matter?

 

[j_alexandra]

Teach is a social butterfly and knows 99% of the people in the ballroom; it's hard to get his attention, sometimes. I'm social enough. The social aspect of a comp matters to me, yes.

 

[fascination]

Teach is a social butterfly and knows 99% of the people in the ballroom; it's hard to get his attention, sometimes. I'm social enough. The social aspect of a comp matters to me, yes.

I am trying to re- train myself to be friendly

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

I’ve only entered three comps in the last four years, so my experience is limited, but my priority was definitely dancing over socializing. I was there to compete. I did enjoy meeting some DF friends in person, though. Generally I’m pretty sociable - will talk to anyone and am not shy about initiating conversations with total strangers (as many of you probably guessed already, lol) - but at a comp I’m focused on competing.

When I’ve attended other comps to just watch rather than compete, it seems to me that the social aspect is a much bigger deal to most other people. But that’s true within the studio, as well. Building and maintaining a community is a huge part of the studio’s business model; maybe more so in a franchise setting or a non-franchise studio where the teachers are employees (rather than independent contractors who merely rent floor space).

What struck me most was how social my pro was at these comps. He was greeted warmly by SO many other pros from all over the place, starting as soon as we reached the airport of our connecting flight, and talked animatedly and at length with them. Idk why it would surprise me that he’s so well-known and well-liked, since he’s been teaching more than 20 years and is very likeable.

does it matter?

Meh…to me, not so much. I’m glad my pro enjoys being a social butterfly, but it wouldn’t bother me if he didn’t.

 

[fascination]

Yes... I am completely fine with how anyone else preps but am learning that I prefer solitude which is probably not good and something I need to get better at navigating

 

[ChaCha1]

My last pro sounds like your previous pro. Interacted only with other studio pros, almost never interacted with me until we were on deck. I got used to a quiet headspace and solo warm-up. This worked for me as I am very much an introvert.

Current pro is a complete social butterfly and expects me to do the same. I think he feels I am rude if I don't join in, but all that socializing isn't comfortable for me. It is challenging for me to do all that chatting before I dance. I do better after I am finished.

Did I say I was an introvert and all that social interaction isn't always comfortable.

 

[Tracy]

My pro is social and knows a lot of people who he greets and chats with but he also is there for a reason. He does not treat comps like a time for partying like I see some pros doing. I will chat a bit with those around me and if I know people then I'll seek them out. I do wish he would introduce me to more people he knows though (especially the big names). He leaves it up to me to do my own thing to some degree.

 

[joy]

My Smooth Pro is an introvert, he does socialize some at comps, but minimal. He sometimes sits in a corner to recharge his energy. At lessons he makes me laugh and we joke a ton, but at competitions he can be intense.

I am perfectly half half on introvert/extrovert. When I'm spectating a comp I'm a social butter and I enjoy meeting DF-ers.

When I'm competing I'm very focused and my friends usually tend to leave me alone because I have a resting competition face I think because my Pro is so intense at Comps, my energy mirrors his.

So don't get mad at me if I'm not as social at the next Comp you see me at where I'm competing!

My WCS Pro is a swing celebrity so he is a major social butterfly at events. Everyone wants to talk to him, it's kinda fascinating to watch.

 

[Dance Redeemer]

I am perfectly half half on introvert/extrovert.

I am, too. My Pro is pretty social and enjoys catching up with many of the other Pros (many of which he's known since childhood). I enjoy meeting the other Ams (and Pros) and chatting when I'm getting my hair done or "shopping" or at meals. Once I'm in the ballroom though, dressed, I'm all business and I want to be able to focus. I'll chat some, but I'm definitely not "chatty". Pro is the same, so this works really well for us.