Things We Love About Followers...
- Thread starter Spitfire
- Start date
The way they look doing that cuban motion?
*grin* one I'll have to add to the "what we love about leaders" thread too!!
etp777
Active Member
there's enough to go around. Esp as we're looking at differnet people. Hrmm, better start working on my cuban motion again though. 
Was doing that while reviewing mambo routine this week. INTO THE FLOoR! those three words, and keeping toes out, seem to be key for cuban motion in mambo for me. but that's topic for another thread. 
wonderwoman
Well-Known Member
Hm. I can get it lookin good in rumba... but I realized that today, when I dance salsa, I look like I'm just shaking my toosh!The way they look doing that cuban motion?
hereKittyKitty
Administrator
Let me be honest. I'm a nice person to a point, but I must get this off my mind...
I despise the word leader and I despise the word follower.To me it's all dancing and we should not think of these words. Only individual responsibilities. I believe Ballroom Dancing has grown so much that these words have become outdated and obsolete...to say the least.
That said...
If I had to say something in appreciation of "followers" it is this:
They have the ability to react in a split second when the "plan" has changed. They have the ability to be there, on time, in position, perfect poise...never mind they are not driving the car and even if the car is late..they are still there on time, in position, perfect poise.
I despise the word leader and I despise the word follower.To me it's all dancing and we should not think of these words. Only individual responsibilities. I believe Ballroom Dancing has grown so much that these words have become outdated and obsolete...to say the least.
That said...
If I had to say something in appreciation of "followers" it is this:
They have the ability to react in a split second when the "plan" has changed. They have the ability to be there, on time, in position, perfect poise...never mind they are not driving the car and even if the car is late..they are still there on time, in position, perfect poise.
etp777
Active Member
I can definitely understand the issue HKK, but only when it's used in some sort of derogatory or superior/inferior term. "You lead her. But she chooses whether to follow" Or however antonio banderas put it in the movie. Maybe it's more evident to me as student half of pro/am, but it's absolutely a partnership in my mind. and even as "leader", I sure pay attention to cues from women I'mdancing with, esp as I know there are times I can't see what's happening. So please believe there are leaders out there who absolutely respect their followers, and don't mean it derogatory at all.
wonderwoman
Well-Known Member
I used to think of lead/follow in negative ways. These days, I enjoy the role I fall in to. Nothing quite as nice as a fox trot with a good lead that you're familiar and comfortable with. You don't have to think, just listen to the music and feel the lead.
An instructor said this the other day and I really like. HE is dancing to music, but WE are dancing to his rhythym.
An instructor said this the other day and I really like. HE is dancing to music, but WE are dancing to his rhythym.
hereKittyKitty
Administrator
I don't dispute what you say. The problem I have is with the words themselves. I repeat...the words themselves. And the impression they leave on the suspecting/unsuspecting listener.I can definitely understand the issue HKK, but only when it's used in some sort of derogatory or superior/inferior term. "You lead her. But she chooses whether to follow" Or however antonio banderas put it in the movie. Maybe it's more evident to me as student half of pro/am, but it's absolutely a partnership in my mind. and even as "leader", I sure pay attention to cues from women I'mdancing with, esp as I know there are times I can't see what's happening. So please believe there are leaders out there who absolutely respect their followers, and don't mean it derogatory at all.
Example..Leader... Sounds strong.. leads to strength and over compensation.
Follower...sounds weak, and in my opinion leads to weakness and non partnering.
I feel bad for the guys. Because of this "leader" responsibility, they take way too much on themselves.
The word follower, automatically, in my opinion, is an unresponsive term. So what are you supposed to do? Just follow? ok = dead weight and a non responsive partner.
Again, i would like to emphasis, it is not the dancers I take issue with. Only the terminology. Leader/Follower ...don't get me wrong. I know these are generic terms that have been created to cover a whole range of responsibilities, but I feel they are inadequate.
etp777
Active Member
fair enough. No argument from me then. three years in this as a dancer myself, and even longer as a spectator and with friends/family dancing, and I'm still learning proepr lead/follow relationship, so I can definitely see why it would cause problems for new dancers, and why you dislike it.
But I still stick with my statement that I like cuban motion.
three years in this as a dancer myself, and even longer as a spectator and with friends/family dancing, and I'm still learning proepr lead/follow relationship, so I can definitely see why it would cause problems for new dancers, and why you dislike it. But I still stick with my statement that I like cuban motion.
fascination
Site Moderator
gotta say, dancing w/ NP....seems to me that, while I have to be perceptive...there is positively nothing passive about it...receptive yes, but only to use it for something very active
But I still stick with my statement that I like cuban motion.
Gotta admit I'm a pretty big fan of that too
Here are some others. I love that they:
...asked me to dance and still followed even when I couldn't really lead.
...have that great smile when I ask them to dance.
...have that other great smile when we finish dancing.
...are sexy and play when we dance latin.
...trust me and stick right with me when we get in a crowd and floor craft becomes hairy.
And to sort of follow on some of the previous comments I love an active follow. It's like driving a top of the line sports car. You give them the slightest amount of gas and they go. It makes for an incredible ride.
Joe
Forum Master
You would prefer another target, a military target? Then name the system!
*cough*
I mean, you would prefer to use other words? Please tell us what they are!
eace: