Penalty for “notorious hand lifters“

You see him at every milonga, every Tango ball, every practica.

Sometimes he twists completely the wrist of his dance partner, sometimes he´s “only” pulling her arm AND the lady up to the ceiling of the dance hall

Mostly the lady accepts this, smiling and suffering quietly, being glad to have found some dancer at least.

„Of course“ he doesn´t notice his dance partner hanging there in a highly uncomfortable position, to put it mildly.

The arm stretched up completely unnatural, the body bent out of axis, and without freedom to move, unless she had a rubber spine…

What does the “notorious hand lifter“ do when he´s not dancing Tango?

Sometimes I have the fantasy, he´s a travel guide, all day long walking in front of a Japanese (or where ever they may come from) travel group holding the umbrella high in the air “Follow me pleeease!“…

Okay, that movement IS difficult to fix

(One tip: Get used to hold the umbrella in your right hand. That one will stay down automatically under the ladys shoulder.)

Some, who seem to celebrate the “hand lifting” with sadistic joy make me think of a seal trainer.

Raw fish in the hand, hand lifted up high “and now jump and get your fish!”

Hello “notorious hand lifters“! Don´t you see that your strange habit is uncomfortable for the ladies and strongly impairs her joy of dancing?

And about the question whether it looks elegant there are certainly different opinions.

Okay?

So adapt to your partner. Your hand needs to be not higher than the shoulder of the lady.

She should feel well and be able to dance relaxed and with ease.

Maybe you don´t believe me now, but also you will dance more relaxed if your hand isn´t staying permanently on light bulb height. As loong as you block your partner you block also yourself.

So just try it! Keep your left arm down and try how it works.

For all inconvertible “notorious hand lifters“ however I suggest the following penalty.

Condemned to dance two month the part of the lady together with another “notorious hand lifter“ who´s at least one head higher than yourself.

Four month for those, who are also “notorious wrist twisters”.

P.S. There are a few exceptions where it´s okay to lift your arm.

When you dance with a lady taller than yourself, you may hold your arm up (Not higher than the lady´s shoulder though!)

And when you are performing a dramatical final pose freezing on the spot with the last notes of the music.

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