Definition: "The basic and most important reasons for doing or believing something" Cambridge dictionary
The social tango I know and love has many facets. The numerous posts on this blog alone attest to that. Some posts dealing with topics such as milonga etiquette may attract controversy. Yet, when you distil the various issues, I believe they can be traced back to three fundamental truths.
Music is the leader
The music's rhythms, melodies and emotions guide the couple's movements. Music is the reason and basis for their dance. Golden Age dance music provides an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
Primacy of the embrace
A comfortable, trusting embrace enables a couple to share their intimate, emotional response to the music, allowing them to move as one.
Respect for others
As a social activity, all behaviour, including on the dance-floor, is moderated by its effects on others. It follows that our behaviours shouldn't impact detrimentally on others, in fact our behaviours should enhance their experience. Hence the milonga codes, which evolved over decades, help us to negotiate the sensitivities of others.
Now, this may sound a little stern, but I believe that as social tango dancers, teachers and milonga organisers, our activities should stem from and be consistent with ALL three principles. In social tango none can be ignored or neglected.
PP
