Re: [Callers] Re Improper

Hi, The following extract supports proper and improper as referring to the 'correct' side of the longways formation (Dave: if everyone is improper, there is still no mixing of the sexes :-) ). Cheers, Bill --- The country Dance Book Cecil J. Sharp Part VI. http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7093066M/The_country_dance_book In Playford's time, the top of the room was called the Presence, alluding to the dais upon which the spectators -were seated. The expression "facing the Presence" means, therefore, facing up, i.e., toward the top of the room ; while back to the Presence means facing down, toward the bottom of the room. A Longways dance is one in which the performers take partners and stand in two parallel lines, the men on one side opposite and facing their partners on the other, those on the men's side facing the right wall (i.e. the wall on the right when facing the Presence), those on the women's - side the left wall. The disposition of the dancers in a longways dance is said to be proper when the men and women are on their own sides; and improper when the men are on the women's side- or the women on the men's. ---