Like Julian, we do it matter of factly, just handing out the Lark and Robin tags at the door when people arrive.

We also teach neighbour swings in our group with the non-ballroom hands holding at the elbows, (rather on the back) which gives a bit more space and comfort for any two folks to swing, even if they're not used to/super comfortable being close to someone of the same gender.

We also work our way up to swings gradually - doing more balancing and allemanding at the start - no swings for the first few dances -, which gives ppl time to get accustomed to dancing with anyone, before doing something that does feel a bit more intimate.

Oct 14, 2023 12:57:59 AM Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>:

"L for Larks on the Left, R for Robins on the Right." New dancers don't even need to know roles were gendered, and results I've seen over the years is men are much more likely to try the righthand role.

Julian Blechner
Western Mass

On Fri, Oct 13, 2023, 10:31 PM Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Several months ago someone posted on a thread here her/his excellent approach to this.
Does anyone know in which thread this was?
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