DANCE PARTNERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 39, 16 February 1932, Page 11

DANCE PARTNERS.

Miss Barbara Miles has-twice won the world's dancing championship. During the course of a year it is her job to danco with many thousands of men. Hero she tells some of the points that mako a man an idea partner:— I suppose when one's job is to dance with dozens of diffex-ent partners every night, one is apt to become critical. I know that it lias enabled me to form very definite ideas of what makes a good partner and what makes a bad one. After the first few steps I know whether or not I am going to enjoy tho dance. I should, first like to tejl you that it is ideal to select a partner several inches taller than yourself. In this way •better balance is assured, apart from the fact that a couple look better matched than when the girl is the taller. Try to get a man who holds you naturally and firmly. Some men adopt all sorts of queer holds, such as placing both arms round their partner's waist and clasping her in the centre of her back, or holding her loosely at the side, causing a large space between them. Such positions not only look ugly, but are a handicap to good dancing. The ideal position is obtained if a man places the palm of his right hand flatly on your back just below your right shoulder blade and clasps the lingers of your right hand with those of his left at a point on a level with your shoulder. Arms should not be extended too far away from the body; the crook of each arm should form a V.

A man's hold should.be firm and masterful, for this makes it easier for you to follow his steps than when held slaekly. I like to feel all the time that a man is the leader. A man who drifts aimlessly round the floor, never making it clear what he is next about to do, and yet expects you to follow perfectly, takes all the pleasure out of a dance. But you should avoid the other extreme—the partner who thinks that the only way to indicate what he intends doing is by dragging pushing you all round the floor. You should choose the type that dances quietly and with dignity; and always avoid the specially objectionable type that "stunts," performing all kinds of fancy steps. He will not only bring you into the limelight in a most embarrassing way, but you will find that neither of you is popular with other dancers, for you're bound to get in their way. And as this type usually also has that terrible habit of swinging your arm up and down in time to the music as though it were a pump-handle, it will make him even ft greater nuisance to the other couples. If I were asked to name the men whose dancing points make them eligible as partners for the girl out for a good time I should set them down as follow: (1) The man who takes the trouble to find out the extent of your dancing ability and doesn't try to exceed your limitations by dancing all sorts of tricky steps. (2) The man who spends hill energy dancing rather than talking. Conversation while dancing is all very well, but scfrne men talk and talk without concentrating on the dance, which, in consequence, becomes nothing but a series of buffets and collisions and apologies. (3) The man who appears to be enjoying himself and says he is. The man who dances with never a smile and ho expression on his face, and who grumbles at the floor, finds faults with the refreshments, and blames the band every time he gets out of step is most trying. (4) The man who dances when you want him to, and sits out when you are tired. (5) The man who refers kindly to his fellow dancers. The man who criticises his friends, their dancing, their clothes and talks scandal generally, you should avoid.— (A.A.N.S.).