Not anymore.

Yikes yawl. Tad harsh no? It was just a question. Just because it's controversial doesn't mean it shouldn't be answered, and it shouldn't be stifled just because many of you already know "the answer" (or have your own already) and have discussed it before.

Props to QQS for formulating a response.

As I am a teacher and used to repeating things over and over, as I am a teacher and used to repeating things over and over, I'll take a stab at it. So this one's for you Diva. (All the other regular posters - feel free to read this before bedtime, it might just put you to sleep. I don't mind. As for anonys, I could care less.) Proam probably started when some ladies wanted to learn to dance and didn't have partners. Then some smart business persons discovered this and opened chains like Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray ( of course it could've been the other way around.) Those chains decided it would be good for business to operate as self contained entities, meaning to have their own comps and showcases, catered to mostly middle class, most likely single, 30's and above women. Due to limitations inherent in the nature of proam, such as finances, pros who don't know how to convey the material, age, etc, the quality of dancing varies considerably. Now, what does this have to do with your question you might ask. Well, it's all related imho. Now imagine if you are an amer (did I just make that word up?) who walks in on a pro-am comp. What you see is small heats, flashy dresses, old ladies, etc. Of course you'll think it's a joke, not a real competition, bla bla. It's only natural to have the feelings that many have expressed on this board. Please understand I'm not justifying anything, just relating what I know, or perhaps don't and think I do. The am and pro am worlds are quite different, and don't interract. Both know little of one another and base their judgements on piecemeal info and chance encounters (this isn't necessarily true of our posters of course.) Then of course one has to consider the issue of money. Most wish they had more of it and most are struggling to make their ends meet. Some amers who are struggling would resent someone who can afford to take let's say 3 lessons a week at $90 a pop. For some that's a reason enough to dislike another. And once again I'm not saying this is wrong or ok, just what I know.

oh god please no.

Doesn't that invoke that rule which I've forgotten the name of which is something to do with an online argument will eventually mention nazis within so many posts?!

I take it that now means the discussion is over?

Probably.

Yeah, this was over before it really got started. 90% knows what she is doing.

Thanks Whiskers. I don't mind really. And on the somewhat related note (I'm on the roll damn it and I got sleep last night )the gap between the haves and the have nots have seem to become more apparent in this country as of late. And I am not saying the proamers are the haves in this equation. I know of some who are quite wealthy and others who do it all on the credit card and end up owing thousands. However, they have the appearance of having the bucks to the outsiders and I'm sure that plays into some of the feelings in question. The peculiar thing about this country is that many have disdain for the rich, yet they want to be the rich. I just realised I wrote: "this country" but this kinda of thing happens all over, doesn't it. Well, I'm probably thinking of the ole Soviet Union where everyone was equal, well, equally poor that is, er no, there was an elite of course, but it wasn't so much in your face as it is here. Still I prefer this system anyday. And now I think I'll go get a cookie.

OK, did I miss the question? Or was that privy to a select few?

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The am and pro am worlds are quite different, and don't interract. Both know little of one another and base their judgements on piecemeal info and chance encounters

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There are quite a few AM's that have done Pro-Am, so making this general assumption is unfounded. For those who have NOT crossed over to the 'other' side, are perhaps the ones who whine on how misunderstood they are.

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Some amers who are struggling would resent someone who can afford to take let's say 3 lessons a week at $90 a pop.

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And who says some AM's don't take 3 coaching lessons a week?