strathspey@strathspey.org:44474

Ron Mackey

Re: Dance Cards and the floor

March 4, 2006, 11:25 p.m. (Message 44474, in reply to message 44473)

In the dim & distant past I have found the Dance Card quite a 
useful tool.  For instance, when attending a dance where a friend also 
will attend (even one from the same class but going with a different 
group ) one can arrange to meet on the floor for a certain favourite 
dance and have a reminder of the assignation.   It is those who fill the 
list before arriving or before the first dance who give them a bad 
reputation.  Those with an excellent memory don't need them but how 
many of that type of clever-clogs are there?  :~)   There must be very 
few indeed who can attend a dance without any 'appointments' and 
dance every dance they wish. I only know of one but he is a respected 
teacher and an excellent partner as I have seen from the sidelines on 
many occasion!
	As for clearing the floor, that can be a difficult proposition in 
most  dance halls I can think of even the Younger Hall.  Given a full hall 
there is hardly any room on the sides and once one has gone back to 
the end seats is awkward to (even unlikely one will) fight out of the 
press of people to get back for the next dance in good time, if at all.
	The only Ballroom I can think of with that sort of room is The 
Seymour Hall but that means going through into the sitoutery which 
again makes things difficult for the keen dancer.   
	So it usually boils down to most prospective 'next dancers' 
milling around in a mob trying to find a partner on the outskirts of the 
floor while endeavouring to remain good mannered.            
	As always, it is usually a few who spoil it by being pushy and - 
er - overconfident(?!).