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/one_life_two_live]

I have experienced this a lot. It's part of the reason why I don't like partner work classes. I don't understand why someone would want to look like they can do a move instead of learn how to do a move -- especially when someone else is relying on them. I also don't appreciate that studios don't require leads in the wrong level classes to improve or level down.