Re: [Callers] Positive values on the mic

I like to say things to promote the custom of frequent partner changes. So after a dance, I would say at least Thank your partner and find a partner for the next contra [or "... for a waltz" or whatever is next]. and more likely ... and find someone new for ... or ... switch around ... and perhaps at some point early in the evening ... and as usual [or "as is our custom"*] find someone new ... [*When I first heard "as is our custom" said by Ted Sannella, it struck me that by injecting those four words, said in a relaxed tone and taking about two seconds to say, he'd gotten the point across as effectively, and far more pleasantly, than somebody could with a two-minute harangue on the subject.] To be clear, if I see some dancers (new or experienced) who came as a couple and seem glued together, I will not by any means attempt to *pressure* them to separate and dance with different partners. But I do want to empower people to feel comfortable mingling. In particular, I don't want dancers who are new and unfamiliar with the prevailing customs to have the agony of wondering "If I don't keep this partner for the next dance, will (s)he think I didn't like dancing with her/him?" or conversely "My partner just thanked me and then ran off to dance with someone else. Did I do something wrong?" Also, if new dancers are worried about imposing their klutziness on experienced dancers, they will perhaps be less timid about making or accepting an offer to dance if they understand that it's only expected to be for one dance. And finally, if someone asks a member of one of those glued-together couples for a dance, I hope that even if they say "No", awareness that most people are mingling will keep them from being affronted by the invitation. --Jim On Oct 31, 2016, at 7:28 AM, Ron Blechner wrote: