Southern UK Jive

[Southern Jiver]

I have been reading on other Forums about a trend which seems to be growing and I encountered (not personally) at a recent weekender. There is "tagging" which , as I understand it, is where three or more people take it in turns to dance with each other on a mutually agreeable basis and "tag" themselves in and out, and there is "stealing" where someone cuts in on you and your partner and steals him or her (I think it works both ways). I can go along with "tagging" as it would be set up ahead of time but I wouldn't be too happy if someone tried to "steal" the partner I am dancing with at the time. This would be especially unwelcome if I had finally managed to get a dance with a great dancer and we were dancing to a slower track. I'm not quite sure what my reaction would be. Has anyone else got any comments about this?
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"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance."
~Japanese Proverb

[Steve]

I think tagging (stealing) without getting some form of permission first is just outright rude. I have said forceably 'no' in the past when a complete stranger (aka 'twat') tried it on me at a weekender.

There is no 'cutting in' culture at MJ whatsoever.

Whilst I can see why people think it's fun for a very short time (I outgrew tagging at about age 10), my theory is it's a bit like double trouble and other 'tricksy things'. <deleted this bit cos it was a tad harsh >

Just my opinion of course.
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My local WCS dance guide: http://www.southernjive.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726

[lilblue]

So what's the difference between steal and tag? Having been involved in such only once in my short dancing life I have no idea!

[drunkenjiver]

Please tell me Steve did the muppet you have mentioned actually jay walk across a crowded dance floor just to get to you & your partner,I fear if cases of this behavior increase the venues are going to have to employ bouncers

[Jasper]

That is very rude. If someone did that to me, they would get a poke in the eye! (obviously in a non aggressive manor

[Steve]

[Nicky]

Stealing is great fun when done by person/persons known to you....I have a girl friend who takes immense delight in stealing me from various men I may be dancing with, much to their amusement. At a recent weekender, the chap I happened to be dancing with when said friend decided to 'steal', pulled up a chair, along with 2 other guys, to 'watch the show'!

Why on earth would anybody try doing such a thing to somebody they didn't really know?....Beats me

Lilblue, I think Steve's description of tagging and stealing is about right....As I understand it, tagging is where a group of however many people decide to keep swapping partners amongst themselves. Stealing is basically where somebody cuts in on a dance.... Okay with those you know well, otherwise don't go there!!!

[Dr Dance]

What on earth is going on??!! Which bright spark had this lightbulb idea in the first place? I think a 'poke in the eye' is very conservative. I can't think of anything worst than someone interupting my dance. I get annoyed when people don't watch where they are leading their partners and bump into me and I think this is worse.

[TeeDee]

Dr Dance wrote:

[Mops]

ok, there seems to be some confusion here between stealing, tagging and swapping.

Stealing and tag happen with an odd number of dancers, usually 2 or more guys and one girl. Usually this is only with people you know, or the men 'gain permission' through eye contact to initiate the tag and give the 'yes ready, come join in' invitiation. THere are some people who don't do this, and understandably people get annoyed. If it's clear that someone's 'having a moment', or has been waiting for ages to get their partner then it's unusual for the dance to be interrupted as the right signals are not given off.

During a tag the men effectively pass the woman between eachother, placing her in a position that she can easily be picked up by the other guy so it is seemless.

A steal is when the men effectively steal the lady from the other man, without the placement of the hand - still ensuring that the change is as smooth as possible and taking the other partner off guard - like a game.

Swapping is when two couples swap the girls between the guys like a tag.

It takes time and practice to make the changes seamless and does need practice, but is great fun usually leads to lots of laughter. Depending on how confident the dancers are the women can swap and lead the men, or engage in double trouble.

THis is only ever done between consenting dancers - eye contact should always be made, if not then you're well within your rights to tell the other person that you're enjoying your dance and he'll have to wait until the next one to dance with your parnter, but the end result for the woman, with a minimum of 2 men trying to grab her on the dance floor is fantastic and great for confidence
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Dance with you heart, and your feet will follow.

[lilblue]

I agree with the general feeling here: tagging, stealing, swapping sounds like darn good fun when everyone is open to the idea and knows one another, but is just obnoxious if it's a person you have never met before who gives no indication that they want to play such games.

And some lovely definitions - thanks!

[Dr Dance]

I'm sorry but call it what you like stealing/tagging/swapping/dogging etc.... Its rude and its rude and I think its rude.

The problem with concensus partners in this senario is that inevitably they would get into a rut and then become 'common' theme and I would hate this to become the usual.

I might start another dance called slapping and its when you are dancing with a partner and someone interupts you, then you slap them around the face a few times. Its fun and it takes alot of skill to get the trajectory right. Extra skill if you can do it with both hands while still dancing with your partner, but thats advance level

[Mops]

As I said, tagging/swapping or stealing will usually only occur between people who want to partake in the game - people don't go and steal off people they don't know and it is by no means a continuous thing. In one evening there may be two songs which tagging occurs in, so it is by no means the norm.

If you don't wish to partake in any of this, then fine don't engage - that's your perogative, but bear in mind that others have broader minds and enjoy politely playing amongst themselves on the dance floor!
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Dance with you heart, and your feet will follow.

[Dr Dance]

Sorry Mops but my reply was aimed at those that were 'stealing' from people they don't know. You mentioned that this doesn't 'usually' happen but I was commenting that it shouldn't happen, full stop. With people you don't know that is.

The danger is that you start with people you know then you apply it to people you don't know. I'm afraid in that respect I am close minded in that I can not see myself enjoying someone interupting my dance. Especially with someone that I've wanted to dance with.

[Spicey]