Argentine Tango Etiquette

Argentine Tango Dance Etiquette is a rather different from that in Ballrooms, perhaps because many organizers of the dances try to emulate "milongas" or dance parties in Buenos Aires Argentina.

Teaching on the Dance Floor

Often intermediate level leaders with some experience like to teach followers on the dance floor. This is generally frowned upon because often the leader is not qualified and his "teaching" is often unwelcome and resented by followers. It is also a distraction to the other dancers who want to dance in a party atmosphere, not an instructional one. In the Argentine tango world, there are special practice dance parties called "practicas." Teaching and practicing at these practicas are very much in place.

Generally it is best to avoid teaching at a milonga. Sometimes however, it may be appropriate to give hints or advice to dance partner. If you do offer suggestions here are some guidelines:

1) Ask first before giving a hint. Never just offer a hint without checking to see if your partner is receptive.

2) Do it softly and unobtrusively so that your suggestions are not apparent to anyone else.

3) Time your suggestions appropriately. A good time in in-between songs or when there are few other dancers on the dance floor.

Dancing with Beginners

In most ballrooms (as opposed to milonga dance halls), beginners are very welcome and advanced dancers will often dance with beginners. That helps the beginners progress very quickly. However, at Argentine tango dance parties, the attitude is often, "I've put in my time learning to dance and I don't want to waste my precious dance time with a beginner." At milongas, the attitude often is, "If you don't want to dance with someone, the answer may be "No thank you," with or without a smile. In contast, in many ballrooms, the group norm is that the answer should be "yes" unless you have a very good reason for not dancing.

At milongas in Buenos Aires, it is often said, "You'd better know how to dance well," or you will sitting the whole night. Stories are told about American women coming to such milongas and being "told-off" and escorted back to their seats in the middle of dance when they could not dance very well.

Some milongas in America, though, are striving to be more friendly. At first I thought ti was odd that a dance party needs to advertise itself as "very friendly." But not so odd when you consider the rather unfriendly atmosphere at some milongas.

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