Friday, 10 September 2010

The Cabeceo (or how to ask someone to dance)

In a Milonga men do not come up to the women and ask them to dance. In between sets they clear the floor, with music called a cortina, or curtain, and everybody sits down. The woman starts looking around the room to see who she would like to dance with, and then she stares at the man. If he wants to dance with her, he’ll stare back and nod to her. And then she’ll nod back, meaning ‘Yes, I’ll dance with you for this set.’ She stays sitting in her seat, and he will walk across the floor close to her table and wave. She stands up, they meet on the floor. “Hola, cómo estás? Todo bien?” The music starts. After a few phrases – there’s no rush – he’ll open his arms, and they’ll embrace. And they dance.

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