A couple of nights ago I was the perfect (bad) example of why the floorcraft at the Herrang Dance Camp sucks so much. So I'm dancing in the open air "dance barn" at like 3:30 or 4am. I'm dead tired, barely standing. There are very few couples on the large dance floor, perhaps 20.
I'm dancing with my friend Marie (I think) who is also super-tired. We admittedly being stupid, doing lots of open breaks, solo charlestons and just messing around. But there is like no one on the dance floor.
After the song ends, this guy rushes past me, taps me brusquely on the shoulder, and hisses, "You should say sorry when you kick someone." And then he rushed off without giving me any opportunity to respond.
I was floored. I had no idea anyone was anywhere remotely near us. But clearly someone was.
Anyway, if that guy reads this somehow: Sorry dude, I had no idea you were there!
It's ironic because I am constantly bitching about the sucky floorcraft in Herrang. People often have completely no regard for those around them, whether they are instructors, "advanced" dancers or rank beginners. Everyone just constantly slams into each other, and rarely says sorry. It drives me bananas.
But I understand. You are so incredibly hyped to be in lindy hop heaven with the best dancers in the world on a gorgeous floor with fantastic music playing. You maybe come from a small scene with a hundred dancers who never have to worry about bumping into each other. So you do you new fancy swingout variation that you learned, into charleston kicks and an airstep — and slam into like six people around you.
I totally get it. It happens, thousands of times a night here. Try and be good to each other out there, kids! And it only takes a half-a-second to say "I'm sorry."
So if I have kicked you, or will kick you in the future, in Herrang, I'm very sorry. Totally my bad. I was caught up in the moment.