the 1times1 universal code of tango etiquette
The "Three-To-One" Rule
I am of the opinion that Accomplished Dancers should make themselves Somewhat Available to less accomplished dancers on a regular basis. First and foremost, this creates Good Karma, as a less accomplished dancer given the opportunity to dance with an Accomplished Dancer will more often than not feel quite Delighted and moreover be Inspired To Work Hard And Practice so as to be able to dance with such dancers on a More Regular Basis. This, obviously, is very good for Our Global Dancing Community.
However, I also believe that an Accomplished Dancer should not be required to spend a whole evening dancing with people Below Their Level. Unless this individual is Working Hard To Make Contacts Or Recruit Students, or Has Some Other Sinister Political Agenda, he or she should have plenty of time to dance with people who are at his or her level or else slightly Beyond It. For altruism has its limits. And your own Good Samaritanism can only inspire you So Far; at some point many of us require Actual Aesthetic Stimulation And Inspiration.
For this reason I propose The "Three-To-One" Rule, a rule of Thumb designed to help Accomplished Dancers select Who They Will Dance With in a socially conscious and personally fulfilling way. This Rule can also help less accomplished dancers to interpret the choices of their Accomplished counterparts, specifically that is, it can help them know whether someone is Being Rude or (perhaps worse) being Overly Nice.
Perhaps by now you can Guess What I Am Going To Say here. Regardless I shall say it anyway. Milongas will be happy if Accomplished Dancers dance One Tanda with a less accomplished dancer for every Three Tandas they dance with someone At Or Beyond Their Level. Thus facilitating the optimal circulation of ch'i.
see also: The Exception to the "Three-To-One" Rule