Southern UK Jive

[Jiveonaut]

Is it me or is people's floorcraft around here getting worse? In the last 2 weeks I've heard tales of blood being drawn, been given a few bruises, seen a lot more including one spectacular one, been crashed into, stood on, bashed, walked into, and even stood on twice by the same person next door twice in three beats. I've moaned, as have others, elsewhere on this forum about poor leads not guiding their ladies, not looking where they're going, people just walking onto the floor in straight lines and not even trying to avoid dancing dancers, people in the middle of floors just stood there gassing, people with drinks dodging dancers, etc etc etc. Last night topped it off, because I saw paramedics at a venue for the first time in ages.

I think it is getting worse. What can be done to improve it, and how?
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Words are good, but hens lay eggs.

[lilblue]

I agree, I had a lovely time last night but the bit with the ambulance was definitely quite frightening - left me shook up a bit anyway. I've had more injuries in the past month or so than ever before, which could be my fault - I accept that there are two sides to each story.

Recently we have had lot of beginners progress through the ranks so to speak, so there are whole generation of new people on the floors (myself among them). However,I learned what I know of floorcraft from people I know and dance with and from Richard P's brief announcement at a lesson once - nowhere is there a way for beginners to become aware of basic etiquette; walking round, not across, start dancing at the edge and move in, don't barge your way there etc.

So I suggest (as I mentioned above) that teachers sporadically give an outline of floorcraft in a beginner and intermediate lesson. I was at Hamworthy when Richard P spoke about it there and he received a very impromptu round of applause from the substantial class, so I think it's safe to say this would not offend people. I believe the announcement was made in many other venues at the same time, but it did improve matters where I dance.

[Nicky]

Crikey, paramedics!.... That doesn't sound good at all!

I myself still have a lump on my brow bone from a dance injury sustained 3 years ago. The person concerned almost knocked me unconscious, left me unable to see properly for 10 days, and with a bruised and swollen face, thus making it impossible for me to dance for over a month and too embarassed to leave the house!

Unfortunately, in the 6 years that I have been dancing, I have only ever heard dance etiquette and floorcraft mentioned on two occasions. As far as i'm concerned, it is something which should be mentioned as a matter of course on every class night. It wouldn't take very long, and is such an essential part of making any kind of dancing a safe and pleasurable experience.

I feel that its important to point out that followers also have a responsibility to be on the look-out for potential danger....Leaders cannot see what is happening behind them!