Reflections on My New Tango Home

Since moving to this city, I've been dancing at this particular milonga for about two years. The dance floor is a rectangular space, approximately 45 feet long and 30 feet wide. Typically, 40 to 50 people come here to dance, most of them seasoned tango dancers in their 50s and 60s, with a handful of younger or less-experienced participants. The gender ratio is about 27 men to 23 women, with men have the majority disadvantage. Interestingly, a couple of women prefer to lead, and most men tend to avoid dancing with these female leaders, adding to the shortage of followers.

The women here generally know cabeceo, though a few don’t, and these ladies receive fewer invitations as a result (see Women’s Role in Cabeceo). Except for a handful, most people dance in a traditional close embrace, and dancers with different styles rarely partner up. Overall, this milonga has a dance level that’s above average and I really like that, but the sense of community could be warmer. In individualistic America, this isn’t unusual. People come here to dance, not necessarily to form deep bonds.

I dance with most of the women here regularly, though there are a few I’ve never danced with - not because I don’t want to, but because they haven’t shown any interest. My rule is simple: I only dance with women who are friendly and open to dancing with me. If someone never acknowledges me or avoids eye contact, I don’t ask them to dance. I’m not sure why these few women seem so aloof. Is it that their standards are extremely high? Is it that they only dance with their regular partners? Is it that they think men should take the initiative? I prefer not to assume the worst because most people, I believe, are good people. The likely explanation I'd like to think of is that they are socially unconfident or lack cabeceo skills. But I have my principles, and I never lack for partners, so I still haven’t danced with them (see Tango Etiquette: Eye Contact, Talking, Clique and Hierarchy).

There’s a big tango community in this city, and this milonga, with its seasoned dancers, often attracts visitors. However, these visitors rarely stay, perhaps due to the lack of a warm enough atmosphere I mentioned earlier. I’ve checked out a few other milongas in this city, and dancers there also tend not to dance with newcomers, so I didn’t stay either. It’s a common issue, and I think there could be improvements. Some possible solutions might include asking people to greet each other before the dance starts, adding some cabeceo training, encouraging everyone to dance at least once with someone they haven’t danced with before, and maybe requiring dancers to rotate partners during the first tanda after the break. These small changes could help break the ice and foster a more welcoming environment (see Tango Is a Fellowship).

To me, a good milonga needs three essentials: an amicable atmosphere, experienced dancers, and good music. There are several DJs playing music here, mostly classic tango hits from the Golden Age. Although a few of them have unique tastes that don't always match my preferences, most DJs keep a good balance in their selections. I’m generally satisfied with the music here, though the selection quality could still improve to make this milonga even better. It’s not about novelty; it’s about choosing tracks that are great to dance to. The more classic and familiar the music, the better - this is similar to playing the piano, where well-loved pieces often resonate best with the players and the audience. I don't understand why Pugliese is rarely played here. Considering that most people here are experienced dancers, adding more Pugliese might be a nice touch (see My Two Cents on Music Selection).

Tango and Trust

Trust forms the foundation of human social life, acting as the glue that binds us together in relationships and society. Our need for trust stems from our personal limitations, vulnerabilities, and interdependence as individuals. Humans, as inherently social beings, seek trust-based connections, which enable cooperation, teamwork, and physical and emotional support. Trust fulfills not only practical needs, such as working together for survival and success, but also emotional needs, like overcoming loneliness and feeling accepted and safe. It serves as a vital mechanism for managing personal vulnerability, forming bonds, exchanging support, and maintaining social harmony. We long to trust others and to be trusted in return. Without trust, we would struggle alone, unable to cope with these fundamental aspects of the human condition.

Tango, in particular, satisfies this need for trust, which is one of the reasons for its enduring popularity. As a dance of intimacy, connection, and surrender, tango is not just about enjoyment or performance. It offers a refuge from loneliness, a space to reveal vulnerability, and an opportunity to seek comfort in another person's arms. In tango, we seek to touch and be touched, to rely on someone's shoulder, and to quench our thirst for connection and love. Dancing tango requires complete trust between partners, so that they can fully engage and immerse themselves in the experience. Tango heals psychologically by allowing us to expose our inner selves and vulnerability in the embrace. This exposure or openness requires trust. Without it, dancers cannot give themselves completely, nor can they reap the emotional and psychological rewards of the dance.

On a practical level, trust is equally essential in tango because this dance relies on close physical contact, non-verbal communication, and mutual reinforcement to execute the movements, requiring dancers to be physically and mentally attuned to each other and trust that their partner will always be there for support. If trust is lacking, dancers can become self-conscious and tense, holding back emotionally and hesitating to let go. Unfortunately, the lack of trust remains a main problem in our tango.

One key reason people struggle with tango is a broader crisis of trust that reflects deeper societal issues. The decline of trust in American society stems from factors like rampant selfishness, economic instability, increased stress and competition, rising inequality, high inflation, commercial fraud, cybercrime, partisan strifes, ideological wars, and media-driven misinformation, etc. These forces create an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust. American culture prioritizes self-reliance, individual achievement, and personal success. People often focus more on their own needs and strategies than on moral considerations and collective well-being. This heightens tension, competition, and mistrust between individuals. As people face economic hardships, political divisions, and deceit in various aspects of life, they become wary, fearing guile, manipulation and betrayal. This pervasive lack of trust seeps into personal interactions, making it difficult to surrender to the vulnerability that tango demands. When we don’t trust, we disengage, choosing alienation and control over connection and cooperation.

Tango offers profound lessons on the importance of trust. In a world where trust is increasingly fragile, this intimate dance reminds us that human connection and cooperation are only possible when we trust each other. By embracing trust on the dance floor, we may rediscover the key to restoring it in the wider world. Confucius regarded benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom and trust as basic human qualities. Tango, with its emphasis on trust, can serve as a powerful tool for rebuilding our faith in these qualities and in humanity. Through this dance of intimacy, connection, and surrender, we can relearn how to trust and rely on one another. Tango teaches us the joy that arises from surrendering control in the right context, reminding us that not every situation requires us to be in charge. Sometimes, perhaps more often, the most fulfilling experiences come from trusting each other and moving in harmony together.

The Impact of Chinese Characters

Chinese characters are one of the most ingenious inventions of the Chinese people. China is a vast country the size of Europe. Two-thirds of China's total area is mountainous. In ancient times when transportation was underdeveloped, different regions were relatively isolated from each other, leading to the formation of numerous local dialects. People speaking different dialects could not communicate with each other. (See Tango Is a Language (II).)

To enable communication, the clever Chinese people invented Chinese characters, a system of ideograms. Each character represents a meaning rather than a sound. This way, people from different regions can still communicate through the written system despite their different pronunciations.

The disadvantage of Chinese characters is that they are difficult to learn. A person needs to master over three thousand characters to be considered educated. The complexity of the characters and large number of them pose significant challenges to literacy, as learning them demands considerable effort and time.

However, the advantage of Chinese characters is that they provide a unified communication tool for people who speak different dialects. Without Chinese characters, China would have fragmented into many countries like Europe. The common written language has played a crucial role in maintaining the unity and cohesion of the Chinese nation throughout its long history. It has allowed for the centralized administration of a vast and diverse country, facilitated trade and cultural exchange, and fostered a shared identity among the Chinese people.

In addition, Chinese characters have been pivotal in preserving the integrity of Chinese culture. Western languages that use the Roman alphabet are more prone to foreign influences. English, for instance, adds approximately 1,000 new words annually. This linguistic mutability contributes to the instability of Western society. In contrast, the Chinese language is much more stable and resistant to external influences. Its words and phrases are built from characters, making learning and coining new terms simpler once these characters are mastered. This distinctive character-based system has preserved the uniqueness and purity of Chinese culture. In many ways, Chinese language is the bedrock of Chinese civilization, with characters acting as its vessels. The enduring brilliance of Chinese culture is largely owed to the timelessness of its written script. Besides, as calligraphy, Chinese characters are an art in themselves and have had a profound impact on Chinese people's aesthetics.

As ideograms, Chinese characters carry meanings and values, such as benevolence (仁), propriety (禮), and filial piety (孝). China, with its long history, has a wealth of classical literature. A large number of Chinese words, idioms, concepts and expressions still used by modern Chinese people can find their origins in these classics. Understanding them requires some background knowledge. For example, the character 信 contains two parts: on the left is 人 (man), on the right is 言 (word). 信 means a man should keep his words, as Confucius said, "Man cannot succeed without good faith (人無信不立)." Chinese children learn their language by studying Chinese characters and texts, which encapsulate the wisdom of countless generations, embedding moral values and social sagacity within the very fabric of the language. Learning Chinese instills in students an appreciation of their cultural heritage and traditional values. This deep connection between language, history, culture and values gives educated Chinese a unique character. I often feel that the Chinese people are fortunate because their language makes them a wise, cohesive, collectivist, cooperative, moderate, and moral people.

In summary, the impact of Chinese characters on Chinese society is profound and multifaceted. They have not only facilitated communication, but also maintained national unity. The shared written language helps preserve cultural heritage and values, reinforcing social cohesion and national identity. Moreover, the moral principles and social values conveyed through Chinese characters and classical texts continue to influence contemporary Chinese society, guiding behavior and social interactions. The enduring legacy of Chinese characters is a testament to the ingenuity of the Chinese people and their ability to adapt while remaining who they are in a complex and changing world. (See Understanding China: Geography, Confucianism, and Chinese-Style Modernization.)

The Advantages of Simplicity versus Flashy Movements

Tango that best conveys the essence of the music and the emotions of the dancers is mostly danced with simple steps. This is because tango is fundamentally a conversation between two souls rather than the execution of complex movements. Simple steps enable dancers to immerse themselves in the nuances of the music and the depths of the emotions, fostering a deeper connection and inward focus that allow for more meaningful communications. True beauty emanates from within, lying in the connection, feelings, agreement and harmony between the partners. These qualities are better reflected in Zen-like simplicity rather than noisy movements. In fact, people in general prefer simplicity to complexity. The best art often is that which contains the richest content in the most concise form. Complex Chinese characters are simplified in actual use. A house simply decorated is more pleasant than that cluttered with ostentatious ornaments. In dancing, simple movements look more elegant than intricate figures. Artistic simplicity is among the most important principles in aesthetics, which can achieve unexpected, often superior results (see Simple Is Beautiful).

Conversely, performances that prioritize flashy movements often appear artificial and frivolous. Intricate footwork and elaborate choreography obscure the essence of tango, diverting dancers' attention away from fully engaging with the music, feelings, and the partner. The focus on choreographed flashy movements can hinder dancers' ability to respond intuitively to changes in the music and their partner's cues, leading to a performance that feels disconnected, contrived, cluttered, and superficial rather than spontaneous, authentic, vibrant, and expressive. The following is a sample.

Although this may be an extreme case, flaunt and ostentation are not uncommon in tango. In our contemporary culture, where gaudiness and pretense abound, it's important for tango enthusiasts to resist the urge to show off and instead focus on what truly matters: the music and the connection with the partner. By keeping things simple, minimizing the frills, and sticking to simple steps, dancers can create a tango experience that is much more intimate, soulful and satisfying. After all, it's not about putting on a show - it's about sharing a moment, heart to heart (see Embracing Elegance).

Embracing Elegance

The beauty of tango can be broadly divided into two styles: elegant and fancy. Elegance is characterized by naturalness, simplicity, refinement, and decorum, bringing grace, calm, sophistication, and harmony to the dance. Fanciness, in contrast, is marked by intricate movements, elaborate footwork, and striking embellishments, evoking liveliness, chic, variety, and creativity. Each style has a valuable place in tango, contributing to its richness and diversity. The examples below illustrate both approaches.

Sadly, in our current culture that glorifies unconventionality and ostentation, fanciness is frequently overdone by shallow imitators, becoming associated with flamboyance and frivolity. In this context, embracing elegance seems to take on even greater significance, especially in social dancing.

At its core, social tango is a dialogue between two people, with an emphasis on feeling rather than show. That’s why tango milonguero, the most popular style of social tango, emphasizes elegance over flashiness. Elegance reflects an inner harmony and a deep understanding of the dance. In its simplicity lies an inward focus that resonates with the soul. While the allure of showcasing flashy moves and intricate footwork may seem irresistible, true mastery of tango lies in the pursuit of its essence. (See The Advantages of Simplicity versus Flashy Movements.)

For dancers seeking to transcend mere performance, the pursuit of elegance becomes a journey toward a deeper experience and timeless beauty. Even fancy styles can be approached with a focus on taste and elegance rather than ostentation, as shown in the examples above. Unlike transient fads, elegance leaves an indelible mark on both the dancer and the observer. When we watch a truly elegant tango performance, we are captivated not by the complexity of the steps, but by the sheer beauty and grace emanating from the dancers' genuine, inner selves.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to cultivate elegance is its transformative effect on the dancer. As we refine an elegant style, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, letting go of the urge to impress and instead focus on connecting more deeply with our partner, the music, and ourselves. In pursuing elegance, we learn the art of restraint - doing less to achieve more. By stripping away excessive embellishments and focusing on the purity of natural movement, we uncover the true essence of tango and experience a newfound sense of authenticity and depth. We discover that true beauty lies not in the outward display, but in the inward journey of music, connection and interaction with another soul (see True Beauty Comes from Within).

To all tango dancers seeking to transcend the ordinary, consider the words of Audrey Hepburn: “Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.” Embrace it, embody it, and let it guide your journey toward mastering the dance. (See The Elegance of the Milonguero Style.)

Ismael Choreography

Ismael Heljalil (1929-2018) was a revered figure within the milonguero community, known for his kind nature and gentle demeanor. Though details about his life remain scarce, his legacy endures through the dance videos he left behind, offering glimpses into his gentle character and profound love for tango. (Please click the link to watch on YouTube.)

What distinguishes Ismael Heljalil from his peers is his distinctive choreography, characterized by a seamless fusion of rock, retreats and rotations. A hallmark of his style is the rock steps with the left leg as the fulcrum to place his right leg behind, culminating in a graceful pivoting to the right.

This movement can be mirrored with the left leg by stepping back with his left leg and pivoting to the left. Ismael often combines walking forward in a circle and walking backward in a circle, either to the right or to the left. No one can alternate these circular movements with forward and backward steps as seamlessly as Ismael does. This remarkable ability hinges on his unparalleled musicality.

In essence, Ismael's dance style is characterized by a continuous rotation anchored in backward motion, skillfully blending elements of rock, back steps, and turns. This unique approach sets him apart, inspiring many to emulate his technique, yet few can truly replicate his finesse. What is difficult to copy is not his footwork, of course, but his comprehension of music, underscoring the depth of skill possessed by the master himself.

"If God could dance, he would dance like Ismael. He masterfully improvises what he feels in the moment. He walks, and oh…how he walks with intimate knowledge of every phrase and nuance of the music from his soul." - Jantango

Making Your Leading Stand Out

When leading tango, it is important to avoid cookie-cutter routines. Here are some tips to help you be a distinctive leader:

1. Embrace variety in your dance route: Instead of moving straight forward along the line of dance, dare to explore different directions and patterns, break away from monotony, frequent the change of direction, interweave different steps, and lead your partner in unexpected move patterns.

2. Incorporate backward steps: In tango, men mostly move forward and women move backward. If men could break the pattern and dance backwards, it would be a change for both parties and make the dance stand out.

3. Simplify your movements: In a world where complexity often reigns supreme, dare to stand out by embracing simplicity. Remember, less is often more when it comes to making a lasting impression.

4. Master the art of pivoting: In tango, it's customary for men to navigate the dance floor while women dance around men, often resulting in men relying on static steps. However, by integrating pivots into your movements to enable agile and fluid turns around the woman, your lead will truly shine.

5. Engage your torso and hips: Most men don't rotate their torso and hips very much when dancing. If you can engage your torso and hips more, your leading will reach a higher level. The rule of tango is that your torso must always face your partner, no matter which side of you she is on or moving to. The competence to swivel the torso and hips helps the man to maintain good connection with the woman and enhances his ability to use his torso to lead her.

6. Use a variety of rhythms：Most men dance too fast and in a monotonous speed. If you slow down the pace and use a variety of rhythms, your dance will stand out. Pause and slow motion are to dance what punctuation is to writing. They make the dance more expressive and interesting.

7. Lead her to turn in slow motion：Most women turn too hastily, either forced by men or due to their own habit of chasing the beat. But women's feminine beauty is, in fact, better revealed in slow motion. When leading steps that involve turns, such as molinete, ocho and planeo, if you can slow down her pace, that will make her movements look more appealing.

8. Dance to express, not to impress: Above all, remember that tango is a dance of connection and feelings. Instead of focusing on showcasing your technical prowess, dance with genuine emotion and feeling. Let the music guide you and inspire your movements. By dancing to express the music and feelings, you'll create a profound and unforgettable experience for both you and your partner.

Philosophies that Separate Two Worlds

Chinese philosophy embraces a holistic perspective, viewing the world as an integrated whole rather than disparate fragments. It posits that despite the existence of contradictions, harmony prevails, with seemingly opposite elements interconnected, interdependent and complementing each other. Humanity is perceived not as isolated individuals but as a collective, wherein success hinges on collaborative efforts. Central to this worldview is the pursuit of unity, balance and harmony, eschewing conflict escalation and adversary elimination (see Understanding China: Yellow River and the Character of the Chinese Nation).

Rooted in collectivist humanism, Chinese philosophy prioritizes the well-being of humanity and society as a whole over individual concerns, and values social harmony grounded in public morality. In this context, human rights extend beyond personal entitlements to include the collective welfare, emphasizing peaceful coexistence and a secure living condition for all, free from injustice, inequality, exploitation, and crime. Chinese law protects personal freedoms within legal boundaries, including the right to pursue wealth, while placing restrictions on special interests to safeguard the interests of all people (see Understanding China: Geography, Confucianism, and Chinese-Style Modernization).

Economically, China advocates for common prosperity through a mixed model combining state-owned enterprises, private businesses, and market mechanisms. This system harnesses individual initiative while balancing the interests of both the successful and the general population, blending market-driven growth with social equality. The state maintains oversight of capital to ensure it does not infringe on broader societal well-being.

Politically, China's system emphasizes the role of the state in fostering unity, managing differences, protecting the vulnerable, providing infrastructure, and promoting the common good. It champions national unity and democratic centralism, rejecting decentralization and partisanship. China's democracy is described as a "people's democracy," focusing on building consensus through consultation (as opposed to Western electoral democracy, focusing on divisive partisan competition), and "whole-process democracy," ensuring people's participation from policymaking to implementation. All decisions related to people's livelihood are made through careful investigation and deliberation with the public, and are implemented under the supervision of the people. By avoiding partisan strife, Chinese politics operates without catering to special interests, aiming to build an egalitarian and harmonious society and guide the people toward shared prosperity and happiness.

In international relations, China adheres to five guiding principles: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. It advocates for international cooperation, peaceful development, global common prosperity, and the creation of a community with a shared future for humanity.

By contrast, Western thought is grounded in atomism, which deconstructs the world into discrete, competing entities. Western individualism views humans as independent actors with conflicting self-interest, subscribing to the Darwinian concepts of the "struggle for existence" and "survival of the fittest" that embrace a "law of the jungle" mentality, wherein suppressing or eliminating opponents is seen as essential for self-preservation (see Darwinism and Eastern Philosophies). Western culture emphasizes self-reliance, individual achievement, and personal success. People often focus more on their own needs and strategies than on moral considerations and collective well-being. The Western human rights rhetoric is highly deceptive. While ostensibly promoting universal freedom, it in fact only serves a privileged minority, enabling them to exploit competitive advantages to defeat the disadvantaged majority, thereby controlling legislation, the economy, media, military affairs, and foreign policy to benefit themselves. The result is that the rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and for most people, freedom has become an illusion (see The Freedom in Tango).

Economically, Western ideology champions self-interest, private ownership, capitalism, and competition. While this neoliberal approach, driven entirely by market forces, may spur initial economic growth, it fosters unchecked greed, inequality and social injustice, allows capital to dominate national interests to serve only the privileged few at the expense of broader society, ultimately hollowing out the economy and triggering systemic failures (see America Is in Big Trouble).

Politically, Western elites employ Machiavellian tactics and engage in partisan fights, fostering social fragmentation, division, conflicts and polarization. Western democracy is merely a formal form of democracy, driven by partisan interests, sensationalism, empty promises and ideological nonsense. Politicians funded by special interests work primarily for their donors rather than for the people, leaving the average voter with little influence on what matters to them other than casting a ballot every few years. (See Democracy vs. Plutocracy.)

In international affairs, Western elites adhere to hegemonic thinking, adopt the geopolitical strategy of divide and conquer, provoke regional conflicts, engage in cliques and camp confrontations, impose unilateral sanctions, incite color revolution, and waging wars. These approaches disrupt global equilibrium, and sow turmoil worldwide. The success of the West historically hinges on the conquest, colonization, genocide, exploitation, and plunder of weaker nations.

For a long time, the Chinese struggled to comprehend Western behaviors, yet they have now come to understand its underlying logic. Unless Western plutocrats alter their philosophical outlook, global peace remains elusive. This sentiment was succinctly expressed by the Chinese delegation during the Sino-US talks in Alaska: "We overestimated you and assumed you would adhere to basic diplomatic norms. We must clarify our stance: You lack the authority to assert dominance over China." Despite the potential dangers inherent in this worldview, Western plutocrats are unlikely to relinquish it. It may require the collapse of the existing paradigm before humanity can aspire to construct a new world.

Fortunately, which of the philosophies can lead to a brighter future for mankind is becoming increasingly evident. Humanity is amidst unprecedented global transformations. The ascent of China and the decline of the West have given countries in the Global South new hope, allowing them to glimpse a possible new world order characterized by civilized values, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, equality, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation, in contrast to the current landscape dominated by self-interest, inequality, bullying, exploitation, aggression and war (see Pluralism vs. Monism).

Understanding China: Yellow River and the Character of the Chinese Nation

China is a vast country the size of Europe. Two-thirds of China's total area is mountainous, with a topography that is high in the west and low in the east. The west of China is composed of many mountain ranges with altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters, among them the highest Himalayas are 8,848 meters above sea level. The east gradually drops to a plain below 50 meters above sea level. The Yellow River originates from the Bayan Har Mountain with an altitude of 5,369 meters, located in Qinghai Province. This second longest river in China crosses the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Loess Plateau, Inner Mongolia Plateau, and North China Plain from west to east, and finally flows into the Bohai Sea. Its drainage area reaches 795,000 square kilometers, covering Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and Shandong nine provinces.

Millions of years ago, east of the Taihang Mountains in central North China (box in map below) was the ocean. The North China Plain (the upper two thirds of the green area below) was formed by the accumulation of sediment from the Yellow River over millions of years. The middle section of the Yellow River flows through the Loess Plateau, carrying a large amount of sediment. It transports 1.6 billion tons of sediment downstream every year, about a quarter of which remains on land, and the rest washes into the Bohai Sea. The silt deposited in the lower reaches of the Yellow River gradually raises the riverbed. Every once in a while, the Yellow River will change its course due to the blockage of large amounts of sediment. Wherever the terrain is low, that's where the diverted river will flow, bringing sediment with it. For millions of years, sediment from the Yellow River has filled the low areas back and forth, created the vast North China Plain, which is larger than the area of Britain. Today, the Yellow River is still reclaiming land from the sea and constantly pushing the coastline eastward. Scientists estimated that the Bohai Sea will be filled in within a few hundred years, further expanding the North China Plain.

Archeology has discovered that eight thousand years ago, people already lived in this land created by the Yellow River. The North China Plain, the birthplace of Chinese civilization, has always been the most densely populated, economically and culturally prosperous region in China due to its fertile soil, temperate climate, and abundant rainfall brought by the Pacific monsoon, making it suitable for agriculture. The Yellow River nourishes the people living on this land, but it also brings them disasters. As the riverbed rises, people need to constantly strengthen the river embankments to protect farmland and settlements on both sides. As a result, the riverbed gradually rises above the ground, and in some areas is even 5-10 meters above the ground, turning the river into a hanging river. Once the embankment breaks, it will cause a devastating disaster, washing away everything in its path. Historical records show that in the past 2,500 years, the Yellow River burst and flooded 1,593 times, and had major diversions 26 times. Every time the Yellow River bursts and floods, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of people are killed and displaced. The Yellow River flood of 1897, due to domestic unrest and disrepair, killed two million (some say seven million) people. River management has never stopped since ancient times. Perhaps no other populace in the world experiences such a complex love-hate dynamic with their mother river as the Chinese. They express gratitude for her nourishing while harboring resentment for her harshness. But it is precisely with her rugged character that the Yellow River has cultivated the perseverance, tenacity, hard work, and resilience of the Chinese people.

Chinese parents tend to use strict discipline to train children so that they can learn to face the severe challenges of life. This is not unrelated to the fact that they themselves grew up under the temper of the Yellow River. Westerners who embrace individualism emphasize protecting children's independence and individuality. Chinese parents pay attention to cultivating children's perseverance, endurance and team spirit. Such education is closely related to their harsh living environment. In front of the Yellow River, individuals are insignificant. Controlling the Yellow River relies on collective strength. Therefore, Chinese philosophy emphasizes collectivism and teamwork. Western philosophy conceptualizes individuals as independent actors, giving precedence to personal interests over collective concerns. Chinese philosophy perceives individuals as interconnected and interdependent members of society with a common destiny and shared interests and responsibilities. This prioritization of collective concerns over individual interests is influenced by their shared burden imposed by the Yellow River.

The fertile, rich and troubled land of the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River makes the people living on this land not only enjoy the blessings of the Yellow River, but also face the challenges it brings. This paradox has nurtured the dialectical thinking of the Chinese people. The Chinese do not perceive things in stark black and white terms like many Westerners often do. They recognize that opposing qualities juxtapose in all things, akin to the natures of the Yellow River, and that good fortune and misfortune hinge on each other. This awareness empowers them to approach the complexities of life with composure, remain vigilant during peaceful times, and discern opportunities within challenges. Chinese philosophy opposes simplistic and extreme thinking like individualism, feminism, Darwinism, unipolarism, hegemonism, and zero-sum game, and believes that harmony, balance, moderation and mutual benefit are the laws of nature in which diverse things complement each other and coexist like the two sexes. The Chinese adhere to the doctrine of the mean, seeking balance in oppositions and harmony in differences. This seemingly meek position allows them to live in harmony with an environment that is both contradictory and integrated. The Confucian stance against forming parties and taking sides, and the Chinese people's refusal to engage in Western-style partisan politics, these are all due to the wisdom given to the Chinese people by the Yellow River. (See Philosophies that Separate Two Worlds.)

Managing China's huge population and making them act in a unified manner to carry out large projects like regulating the Yellow River, which involves vast areas of land, huge amounts of manpower, enormous resources, comprehensive planning, and the joint efforts of the whole country, require a unified, centralized government with strong planning and organizational capabilities. The Chinese people's special emphasis on political stability is also related to river management, which demands a stable and efficient government. In fact, China's state power was born out of the need to control the Yellow River. Dayu, the founder of the Xia Dynasty (about 2070 BC - about 1600 BC), the first dynasty recorded in Chinese history, was the organizer who led the people to regulate the Yellow River. With thousands of years of experiences, the Chinese have mastered the way of mobilizing and organizing the masses, and trained themselves into the most organized, disciplined, and well-managed people, making this nation extremely resilient, able to face its most severe challenges. The Western political model based on individualism and partisanship, in which different interest groups fight against each other and take turns in power, may serve the special interests, but does not in line with China’s reality.

In summary, the character, thought, culture, and political framework of the Chinese nation are inextricably intertwined with the Yellow River. This influential river shapes the people under her nurture to embody qualities of magnanimity, generosity, kindness, solidarity, resilience, and sophistication - reminiscent of the attributes of their mother river. A nation that has withstood such severe challenges for many millennia and continuously defeated them is invincible and cannot be underestimated. (See Understanding China: Geography, Confucianism, and the Chinese-Style Modernization.)

Paola Tacchetti

Zhou Dunyi (1017-1073), a Confucian scholar from the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 960-1127), wrote a beautiful essay, On the Love of Lotus. The following is the English translation.

"There are many kinds of lovely flowers and plants. Tao Yuanming of the Jin Dynasty only loved chrysanthemums. Since the Tang Dynasty, affection for peonies has become a fashion. But my favorite is the lotus, which comes out of the mud but not stained, washed by clear waves but not looking coquettish. An emblem of purity, modesty and perfection, it stands there quietly, allowing its fragrance to waft far - something to be regarded reverently from a distance, and not be profaned. To me, chrysanthemum is the hermit among flowers, peony is the plutocrat among flowers, and lotus is the gentleman among flowers. Alas, few have loved the chrysanthemum since Tao Yuanming, and none love the lotus like myself, whereas the peony is a favorite with many people."

I was reminded of this essay when I watched Paola Tacchetti dance tango. I only saw her dance once many years ago in Buenos Aires. She was still very young at the time, dancing socially at Salon Canning. In a pool of sophisticated dancers, she was like a fresh lotus protruding from the water. Her partner, a prominent milonguero, kissed her hand to express his admiration for her after they danced, which left a deep impression on me.

Recently, I was reminded of the essay again when I watched some Paola Tacchetti's dancing videos taken around the same time. I like her style because she is a natural, without any pretense. Her dance has a pure and intrinsic beauty that is in sharp contrast to the affected fashion of today. Such innocent dance style is rare nowadays.

Tango conveys a person's character, values, aesthetics and taste. True beauty is gentlemanly - natural, simple, implicit and genuine, rather than pretentious and conceited. I hope the prose quoted above can inspire more dancers to become like Paola Tacchetti, especially in this age of ostentation and artiness.

Learning from a Talented Tango Girl

I was impressed by the skills, grace, musicality and control this little girl displayed in her dance, and believe adult dancers can learn something from her.

Here are few highlights from this dance.

Salida with forward step (0:07-0:14)
In a normal salida, the two partners step in parallel to the same side. But in this case the man alone took a side step to the left, while the girl swiveled her hips and took a forward rather than side step with her right leg, enabling her left leg to take another forward step and pivot, and her right leg to do a slow and beautiful planeo.

Split-leg turn and sandwich (0:26-0:31)
Most adult dancers do not spread their legs like a compass when turning, but this girl does that a lot, and she does it often in a reduced speed, adding grace to her dance. In this example, her split-leg turn is followed by a pause as the man sandwithed her, she then collected her leg and did a delicious curtsy, all executed flawlessly.

Barrida (0:33-0:36, 1:32-1:37)
The girl stepped forward with her right leg (or in the second case stepped back with her left leg) to allow the man to do a barrida - sweeping her right leg to the right with his right leg. She followed by collecting her left leg until it touched his right foot, then crossing over to land on the other side of his foot. Barrida is generally an unobtrusive move, but her execution left an impression on me, mainly due to her control over the speed of the movement.

Ocho in slow motion (0:36-0:41)
Here the girl did an ocho at a deliberately slower pace. She knows how to dance fast, but she chooses to do some moves in slow motion, showing very good judgment. Most adult dancers don't care if they actually draw an 8 on the floor when they do ocho, but this girl did just that carefully, making her ocho particularly beautiful.

Planeo (0:43-0:45)
This is another elegant planeo, also executed in slow motion. Adult dancers tend to exaggerate their movements, such as lowering the knee to create a larger planeo that is close to the ground. But this girl's movements all look natural, without exaggeration, and the result is better, in my opinion, with more natural and innocent beauty.

Moving backwards with front ocho (1:40-1:45)
Here is another example she drew 8 at a slower pace, this time using greater hip rotation, so that she could move backward while doing front ocho. Most adult dancers turn too hastily, so their ocho lacks the beauty it deserves. But this girl is particularly good at using slow motion to show the grace of her movements, espcially when involving rotation like ocho and planeo, demonstrating excellent musicality, control and aesthetic sense.

Sandwich (2:10-2:19)
Another sandwich in slow motion with a captivating deep knee flexion.

Overall, I was very impressed by this little girl's sophistication, or rather, her talent. I hope that adult dancers can learn the ease with which she dances, in particular, learn to slow down the pace when doing turns, pivots, ochos, and planeos, because, as this little girl demonstrated, that will add grace to the dance. This means that leaders also need to slow down the pace to allow women to infuse elegance to their performance.