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Let's call the whole thing off!

You like potato and I like potahto, You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto, Tomato, tomahto, Let's call the whole thing off.

--- "Let's call the whole thing off!" by George Gershwin

You like salon, and I like apilado.
You like nuevo, and I like traditional.
You like ganchos, and I like cunitas.

So we meet in the middle. You come a little closer, and I stand a little straighter. We dance. We turn. My temple rests against your jaw. I step through your ocho cortado and feel it coming - you lead the gancho. I follow it. This time without hesitation.

Through my lowered lashes, I see you smile.
I smile back.
And I think, 'okay, I'll say potato with you.'
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Comments

tangogeoff said…
Aaahh...tango libre...
It's so nice to hear its voice after so many tango police on the web.
Thankyou thankyou
November 11, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Mari said…
Tango Theologian - well, it will at least last the tanda lol

Tangogeoff - I do try to keep an open mind. Even though I prefer close embrace/milonguero/apilado - I will adapt to my partner if I can. Especially if he's willing to meet me halfway. My first teacher rather drilled that idea into me - the woman adapts to the man's style. Like it or lump it. If I'm too uncomfortable, I just don't dance with him very often - or only at practica.

There are ways to make a woman feel very safe and comfortable in a more open embrace - it just requires a lot more work and attention imo.
November 13, 2009 at 6:42 AM
Anonymous said…
That's why it is important to watch how the man dances and to see if you will get along with him on the dancefloor.
I have seen some lovely dancers all of a sudden start doing tricky moves and now I don't want to dance with them anymore. Sad when they go large.
November 16, 2009 at 8:07 AM
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