Thanks for the topic.
My contribution is one of my basic rules of contra dance calling:
Never suggest by word, deed, or implication, that anyone in the hall
is either behaving poorly or is not up to the task of dancing well.
The significiant question is how the real "problem" is perceived and
addressed. It might require some forethought but following the above
rule will save the caller much grief and will make their job much
easier. The caller has the most leverage at changing behavior by
assuming that all dancers are invested in safety and goodwill, and
that the dancers have the intelligence and capability to dance
well. Any caller comments that can be perceived as a criticism of
"some" dancers will cause a loss of confidence or hard feelings
amongst many more dancers. That will translate into loss of dancer
confidence and less effective calling all around.
Any analysis that assumes "men behaving badly to poor style to
dancers who are too rough." is likely to generate words that will be
perceived by at least some dancers as a criticism. A better approach
might be to compliment the dancers on their conscientous application
of good style and consideration in their dancing.
Another way of saying this is: Don't waste the dancers time by
telling them what they should not do. (This is true even when
"humor" is used.) Instead compliment them on their skill and then
show them an "advanced" technique that emphasizes safety and consideration.
Another way of saying this: Always assume the best intentions and
capabilities of all of the dancers.
Just a thought,
Greg McKenzie
*******
At 08:25 PM 5/11/2008, you wrote:
Hello everyone,
We've been having a lively discussion in the Boston area about
several topics ranging from men behaving badly to poor style to
dancers who are too rough.
My question is, what tips or information do you like to give from
the microphone to help people deal with these issues? How do you
give them? It would help if you could share your wording because I'm
sure that brevity and humor play a big part in how effective they
are. Do you give demonstrations? Role play a situation on the floor?
My goal is to compile these into a list that we can reference, or
that organizers can give to visiting callers to encourage the
atmosphere they would like at their dances.
Thanks!
Chris Weiler
Goffstown, NH
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