Is there a silent understanding that followers should backlead during class combos in intermediate/advanced classes because it’s essentially choreography?

[u/Lazy-Horse1698]

I dropped in at new studio for the first time tonight and found that several leads in the intermediate/advanced class treated me like I couldn’t dance and critiqued me when I didn’t just do a move (I was waiting for it to be led. I was able to do the combo just fine with leads who were giving proper signals, so it was not a matter of lack of skill). I looked around and saw that when other followers danced with the leads who gave me trouble they were able to do the combo flawlessly. I kept watching and eventually caught on that they were just doing the choreography since we already know it and can go without needing the lead.

I wanted to ask the instructor if for this class we are just supposed to be doing choreo like i imagine you’d do performance type class, but was scared to offend. This was just advertised as a regular partner work class, so I thought I was supposed to wait until the lead got it. The instructor rarely corrected anyone and just kept adding on to the combo. It was not a hard combo and I could do it all, but again I was waiting to be led.

Has any other follow ever experienced this, or in general a lead being rude because you couldn’t follow them? Do you ever just do the choreo because you know it in some of your classes?

[u/OThinkingDungeons]

In my opinion anything more than 8 counts is a waste of time.

What you're experiencing is a common symptom of bad teaching, and it comes from an old style of teaching, which was "I show, you copy". If you didn't get it, it was your own fault.

When there's lots of moves, then the focus becomes on the next move, and keeping up. There's no time to learn correct technique, learn the correct lead/follow, make corrections if there was a mistake, or any of the things that are actually important in social dancing. The more moves, the less likely there's a chance of retention and success, after class. I'm baffled, that people feel like they've gotten value after a session like this. I suspect some people equate "it was difficult, which means it was helpful".

When I follow, I specifically follow what's lead. Luckily, I'm recognised as a "good" leader, and decent follower so leaders often check in when they realise something didn't work. Unfortunately, you're entering a culture of people who don't question, nor realise they're not properly leading/following moves, so you're going to experience uncomfortable situations.

Personally, I would go to another school, if you know what you want/like then why are you there?