Ms. Poppy Chiffon — the doyenne of dance, the baroness of ballroom etiquette, the sultana of Southern hospitality — is pleased to answer your dance-related questions. Here are a few queries that Poppy deigned to extract from her mailbag this week. If you have a question that you would like Poppy Chiffon to address, please e-mail her at askpoppy@dancestationusa.com. Ms. Chiffon regrets that she cannot respond individually to questions.
Dear Poppy,
My dance partners seem to be annoyed when I lead the way I feel the music in my body. I try to stay within the lines we’ve learned and practiced, but when I truly feel the music my body spontaneously takes over. It’s like there’s a rebel inside me just waiting to break out and dance. Is it unrealistic to desire this freedom in partner dancing?
Rebel
Dear Rebel,
It becomes a true expression of your dancing abilities when you have the connection with your partner and the music that gives you the freedom to lead or to follow anything with ease. This freedom with dancing can be a gift of pure bliss. Find someone who will enjoy it with you.
Dear Poppy,
When I go to social dances I dance and I have fun. Some of the partners I have asked to dance don’t seem to be present or enjoying themselves. I just wonder why they even come out to dance. I need some kind of feedback. Is it too much to ask to make an effort to look reasonably happy when your dancing?
Need Positive Feedback
Dear Feedback,
There is nothing more dampening to the spirit than to dance with someone who seems detached of emotions. Honey, we just cannot control other people’s emotions. We can, however, control who we ask to dance; for instance, those who are enjoying the dancing and smiling too.
