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A WISH for MORE PRO DIs

by Vikky Bondoc-Cabrera  Published in isyu, September 25, I997)

        Since 1992, when Mt. Pinatubo decided to blow up its guts and spread it around the world, a steady stream of young men and women (many barely out of high school) has invaded Metro Manila hoping to land one of the trendiest and most lucrative of jobs -- as a DI, short for dance instructor. 
        For a while, they were referred to as ‘attorneys’ and ‘doctors’ by the rich ladies who preferred to spend their time in a fun exercise than playing mahjong, but did not want their jealous husbands and boyfriends to learn that they are being chaperoned by and going dancing with dashingly handsome young men. But when the men discovered the fact, the DIs were simply called by their ‘professional’ term, because it was no longer a secret. 
        Gauging from the number of regular dance instructors in the numerous ballroom outlets nationwide, and others who dance purely by appointment, we can safely estimate no less than 2,500 to 3,500 dance instructors out there batting for the attention of us dancing guests (the DIs clients), so they can earn the average P1,000 ($25) to P1,500 ($37.50) a day (quite a impressive feat, especially for those who can’t dance to a simple rhythm, let alone teach the actual dance steps.)        Gauging from the number of regular dance instructors in the numerous ballroom outlets nationwide, and others who dance purely by appointment, we can safely estimate no less than 2,500 to 3,500 dance instructors out there batting for the attention of us dancing guests (the DIs clients), so they can earn the average P1,000 ($25) to P1,500 ($37.50) a day (quite a impressive feat, especially for those who can’t dance to a simple rhythm, let alone teach the actual dance steps.) 
        Everyday more young men and women are joining their ranks.  Competition is building fast. And my fearless forecast is that before the year is over, DIs will be forced to professionalize themselves and their ranks in terms of actual dance competence, teaching skills, attitudes and manners, and rates.  Unfortunately for many who want to learn and enjoy dancing, at least 90% of the so called DIs are mere dancing partners, barely able to actually teach the steps, form and characteristics of the individual dances. I personally refer to them as dancing partners, unless they prove themselves able to actually teach dance. But even as dancing partners who expect to be paid for every dance set, many too have much to learn in attitudes and ethics. 
        In the past four years, my friends and I have accumulated enough experience dealing with lots of dance instructors to separate the real pro from the sincere aspirants and the few arrogant fakes. The pros definitely stand out high above the masses of sincere aspirants. Arrogant fakes will sooner or later be weeded out unless they change their attitude. 
        Not many dancing guests in hotels and restaurants are be able to distinguish if they are being taught the correct dance steps or not. That’s why some DIs who have barely spent a week of training from other amateur DIs, and few weeks of actual practice, are able to command rates up to P1,500 for five hours work. (real-life highway robbery!) 
        But the same guests can differentiate the may pinag-aralan (educated), well-mannered decent DI from the others who barely know the rules of proper decorum and right conduct. Fortunately more DIs fall under the former grouping, though many have been influenced by the latter group. 
        Guests seldom complain about the DIs’ bad manners. But they talk among themselves and eventually drop the DI from their list of preferred partners. 
        Together, a few of my friends and I have put together a  Wish List for dance partners and instructors, hoping that soon we can meet, interact and dance with more professional partners. With crossed fingers, we wish more DIs . . . 

• could actually teach dance steps. Dance instruction is a learned skill and an art, and is not synonymous with just knowing how to step in time.
• would be more discreet in teaching the steps to their guests on the dance floor. Stomping to stress a step on Cha-cha-cha, loud verbal counting, or brusque force to make the guest turn only shows the DI’s inability to teach the dance properly.
• can actually lead without pushing or pulling.
• would be humble to admit their inadequacies as instructors, even in private, and not pretend otherwise.
• don’t automatically assume that they know better than the guest. All ballroom guests were once also teeners and young adults, who probably  danced the Tango, Paso Doble, Boogie, Cha-cha-cha, Twist, Salsa and many others, at social functions, and probably just need some practice now. 
• do not out-perform their female guests. The male partner's role is to be the 'post' setting the couple’s dance space and, to lead the dance sequence; the lady exhibits the dance.
• show sincere enthusiasm while dancing with their guest.
• express gratitude, and lead the guest back to her seat after each dance session.
• would reliably arrive on time for every booking appointment already properly dressed for the occasion, preferably, before their guests arrive. As in other business appointments, promptness is a positive sign of ethics.
• learn to say 'no' to a selfish guest who wants to keep the DI for herself the whole night without booking him.
• choose a mild-scented perfume or cologne and apply them sparingly, sensitive not to allow their scent to stick on the guest’s hands and clothes.
• would sit at the guest’s table only when invited, and would promptly vacate that seat for other guests at the table.
• learn to use chopsticks, or eat with a fork and knife.
• did not have to eat like hungry horses, as if it was their last meal.
• dress properly for the occasion, approximating their guest's outfit for booked events.
• use a more decent carry-all for their change of cloths and other stuff, instead of a knapsack on formal occasions. If this is impossible, they should find and deposit the bag in a secure hiding place before joining the guests.