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 poor little toes are taking a beating on the dance floor. I want to wear my gorgeous sandals, but it is too painful. How can I protect my toes from being stepped on so much?
Stubbed
Dear Stubbed,
You might want to avoid wearing open-toed shoes to social dance. Especially with beginners, they have enough to think about. Feet will be stepped on and you don’t want any injuries, Sugar. Be safe and protect yourself! Wear your best closed-toed shoes.
Dear Poppy,
I am a beginner dancer. It is very difficult for me to find the rhythm of the music in the steps of the dances that I am learning. However, I find that when I dance with advanced dancers I can dance really well and I have no problem with the timing or even the steps. How do the advanced dancers make it so easy? I can’t dance half as well with another beginner.
Beginner
Dear Beginner ,
Dancing well with an absolute beginner is a skill that advanced dancers possess. Advanced leaders can lead a beginner through steps they never knew. Advanced followers move so easily that beginners can make them follow steps they’ve just learned. Advanced dancers find beginners challenging, and for the beginner dancing with advanced dancers is always an opportunity to improve your dancing. You’ll be a better dancer for it, Sugar!
