[Callers] When the dancers aren't paying attention

[Maia McCormick via Callers]

I also think it's worth mentioning that we can model as dancers the
behavior we'd like to see as callers. Socializing and catching up with
friends is excellent, but when I'm dancing, I make an effort to always
quiet down and listen to the caller whenever they start speaking, and
perhaps gently direct others' attention to the caller (not with a "shh",
but by excusing myself from conversation and looking at the caller). My
hands-4, and sometimes those around us, will generally take the hint. I
think this modeling is especially important around new dancers--we want to
send the message that the walkthrough is something to be listened to, not
something to be chatted through (which is just rude, and even if you're
experienced and don't need to be paying full attention to the walkthrough,
other dancers in the hall do need to pay attention, and you're making
things harder for them).

Another thing I try to do, and try to encourage my friends to do: if I do
need to teach from the floor as a dancer (say, some beginners are getting
hung up on a new move), *do it with as few words as possible, preferably
non-verbally. *Again, the more you talk in line--even if it's for a good
reason--the harder it is for the people who most need to pay attention to
the caller to do so. Teaching verbally from the floor also diverts
attention and authority from the caller in ways that nonverbal teaching
does not. So often as a caller I've seen a problem in the room (in a
walkthrough or a lesson) and tried to correct it, only to find multiple
different experienced dancers explaining the move to small groups, so that
I can no longer get the attention of the room, and it takes much longer to
solve the problem.

On Thu, Apr 23, 2015 at 12:47 PM, John W Gintell via Callers <
callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I certainly agree that a "shhhh" or similar utterance is not a good thing
> to do.
>
> One of the consequences of people talking during the walkthrough  is that
> it sometimes hard to hear the instructions - especially at the back of the
> hall. And of course it is at the back of the hall where there are more
> inexperienced dancers who need it more.
>
> Another problem is that if the musicians are noodling - and of course out
> of synch with the walkthrough -it also makes it harder to hear the caller.
>
> So, it is important for callers speak clearly and loudly during the
> walkthrough and make it clear that it has started;
> and sound people listen at the back of the hall to see what it is like.
>
>   John Gintell
>
> On Apr 23, 2015, at 12:24 PM, Donna Hunt via Callers wrote:
>
>  Erik wrote:
>
> Often, after people have lined up, they talk with each other, their
> partner, their minor set, or other people around them. Often callers strive
> to get everyone to shut-up so they can start the dance. I've come to
> believe this time of conversation is the main time we get to know a little
> about each other and is thus a "community building time."
>
>  I, personally, love hearing dancers talking amongst themselves.  To me
> it's a reflection that they are having fun and that they feel comfortable,
> relaxed and are "building community".  If they aren't talking enough (by my
> expectation) I'll prompt them early in the evening to say "hi" to their
> neighbors and introduce themselves and this gets them chatting a bit.
> Later in the evening I might begin a dance with a Right Allemande and I'll
> say "Give your right hand to your neighbor and introduce yourself (pause)
> and Allemande Right.
>
> On the other hand I find it rude and detestable for a caller to "shhhh"
> the crowd.  If the caller tries to begin a walkthrough (ie, "Are you ready"
> as Erik suggests) for a time or two, the dancers will "shhh" themselves.
> This (extra time) allows folks to finish their conversations and be ready
> to listen.  The positive benefits to dancers politely socializing is
> tremendous, even if it means the caller needs to call one less dance in the
> evening.
>
>
>  Donna Hunt
>  <http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net>
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