Many years ago I attended a square dance club in Upper MIchigan. I had recently moved there and sought out dances. I was greeted with the question, Where is your husband? When I said he was home, unwell, the lady at the desk said Nobody will dance with you. I'm the caller's wife and nobody dances with me. I did have partners that night and went with my husband Once.
Years later I saw an ad for a public dance, called to confirm that it was open. When I arrived I was grilled about lessons, partners. Then told that since I had not had lessons I would not be able to keep up with the dancers and would spoil their pleasure. My 30 years of New England squares experience didn't count.
No wonder they are losing dancers.
Sylvia Miskoe, Concod NH