Re: [Callers] Fwd: Ten Stupid Things Beginners Do to Mess Up Their Contradance Experience - Wikibooks, collection of open-content textbooks

[Richard Hart]

I always hate those "things not to do" lists. It always reminds me of 
those bad teachers in school who continuously nagged about what not to 
do. When you focus on what not to do, you sometimes forget what you 
should do to make it interesting and fun. Of course people will want to 
dance with their friends. Don't tell then not to do it.  I'd much prefer 
to tell people to find someone new to dance with than to nag about not 
dancing with their friends. So, before a more difficult dance, I might 
say, "We have a lot of new dancers here tonight, so please find someone 
new to dance with this time. People who have danced this dance before 
can help beginners a lot."  Most will understand and do what's needed.

Seth Tepfer wrote:
Well, I think it should be "Ten Stupid Things experienced dancers do to 
mess up their contradance." But interesting, nonetheless: