I fully agree with everything Bill is saying. Like Bill, when I teach the figure in a predance workshop or call it during the program, I never mention the potential romantic aspect of gypsies. I figure that dancers can figure that out for themselves. The move is what it is.

Wow, I'm pretty amazed by this thread.. I call dances with gypsies fairly often (some times dancers request it), but NEVER emphasize the flirting aspect. To tell the truth, when I first started dancing, well let's say when I first became aware of the figure, probably years after I started dancing, it WAS presented as a flirtatious move and I had no problem with it. As time progressed and after I started calling I noticed dancers were often uncomfortable with it, so I stopped teaching "look into the person's eyes" and as David says here just said "walk around" but still prompted it as a gypsy. Some people do a Do Sa Do, and I just let it go.

Now, regarding the PC aspect of all this.. The term "Gypsy" as a dance figure appears to have nothing to do with the race of people know as Gypsies. I look at this as a "homonym", two words spelled the same with different meanings and different origins.. Until this latest thread I had absolutely NO idea anyone took offense to the actual word. BUT I have always had a great deal of respect for Masha and her argument is quite compelling.. Now I guess I need to rethink this. I must say, no one has EVER (in 35+ years of calling) told me they had any problem with this (until now). I am quite sure the next time I call a dance with a gypsy in it I will not "get in trouble"..

my $0.02 worth

bill

Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:22:19 -0400
To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"
From: callers@lists.sharedweight.net

When calling, I’ve struggled with “gypsy,” not because of its unfortunate political reverberations (like Amy, I have used it without intending offense or realizing it might cause offense), but because for me it doesn’t roll trippingly off the tongue — I guess I don’t really like “verbing" nouns. I also completely agree with those who are uncomfortable with caller language that seems to require flirtation. People can and will flirt if they wish to, but it shouldn’t be suggested as a requirement. All this said, there is lots of choreography where I like the figure, and I’ve certainly used it.

In some old square dance calls you sometimes hear “walk around your corner” for a move with similar geography. How about “walk around” as a straightforward, non-loaded alternative?

David

From: Amy Wimmer via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Date: October 24, 2015 at 3:12:57 AM EDT
To: callers@sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Hello All,

I taught a dance this evening that included a ladies' gypsy. I received the email below a few minutes ago. In teaching it I wanted to convey that it is a flirty, eye contact sort of move. This person was obviously offended. I am at a loss for how to respond, except to apologize for offending.

I'm pretty sure I described the move accurately. I meant absolutely no offense. I didn't make up the name for the move, but don't want to make excuses. Does this move need a new name? How would you respond?

-Amy
Seattle
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