Song of Songs 6:3 NIV “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine;”

The woman in the cafeteria pressed two thumbs busily on her “mobile device” without speaking, as she waited in line with other people. I thought: with whom and to what extent is she connecting, and would she even be interested in learning. [I’m a teacher] Argentine tango?

A more important question: why would someone so easily and ubiquitously connected with “El Colectivo” be interested in learning how to connect with another person up close, like in Argentine tango?

Internet portends false intimacy

According to an article in Christianity Today, “The Internet privileges self-disclosure with all its feints, omissions, and evasions, while face-to-face contact over time bequeaths a wealth of observed information.” you meet someone, you should at least communicate with them face to face. Even romantic partners find that texting doesn’t result in a close relationship. Sujeiry González, a dating coach, agrees and cites a study that supports this claim.3

Argentine tango telegraphs true intimacy

According to an article by Sasha Cagan, “Usually after 10 minutes of class, you can learn more about a person’s character or relationship within a couple than you could after talking.” In short, you cannot hide. Your tango expression contains so much of you (eg posture and body language convey your personality) that you are practically an open book. Of course, you can project yourself onto your partner and thus miss out on important information, but this happens in any encounter, online or offline.

So, do the Borg dance the tango?

I know someone who writes and dances tango (not at the same time, by the way, have you ever seen him?). There is no study showing a correlation or lack of one between heavy writers and Argentine tango dancers. But I bet it is those who are not afraid of individuality and intimate connection at the same time who will go for this dance.

And why do I dance the Argentine Tango?

• It’s the music: earthy, dramatic, sometimes playful.
• It tests you: I must be decisive, innovative, clear, gentle and inspiring
• It’s healthy: you burn calories, stretch and tone your muscles, exercise your mind
• It’s social: you can connect, play and develop a mutual understanding
• It is worldwide: everywhere they are doing it (some religious groups remain)

FOOTNOTES

(1) http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2013/january/false-intimacy-of-dating-in-digital-age.html?paging=off

(2) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sasha-cagen/what-argentina-tango-taug_b_4756696.html

(3) http://www.babble.com/relationships/hold-the-phone-texting-may-be-ruining-intimacy-relationships/