Personal Hygiene and Tango: Why Does It Matter?
One may have heard of a story like this:
In a tango class, one of the female students entered, smelling of strong perfume. The odor was, in fact, so strong that one could smell her even from as far as 20 meters.
She has been attending class for a few weeks, so her fellow dancers knew that it was the first time she ever did this.
When asked WHY she used such a strong perfume, she explains:
“Yesterday, I was at a milonga, and a man invited me to dance. I said yes because he was such a good dancer. I was so excited to share a dance with him, but when we did, he smelled so unpleasant!”
“I immediately left after this one dance because I felt as though his odor was sticking to me. Even after I showered, washed my hair, used perfume, and dumped my clothes in the wash, I can still smell it. When I sleep on my bed, the stink lingers. I showered this morning before coming to class, and the smell is still there.”
Stories like these — and this one is true — may sound funny to some, but the issue of personal hygiene in tango remains a delicate subject.
Whether in milongas or classes, hygiene and tango go hand in hand as the dance requires close contact between both partners.
Locked in an embrace, dancers would share their personal spaces at such close proximity that it’s inevitable for one or the other to notice things like bad odor or perspiration. Of course, when these issues occur, they may ruin an individual’s experience.
As a sign of respect to one’s partner, one must make it a point to practice good personal hygiene when attending milongas and classes.
In fact, many tango schools, teachers, and even dancers themselves consider personal hygiene as part of tango codes. Numerous websites for tango dance schools even dedicate a separate page outlining some tips and recommendations when it comes to both personal hygiene and good manners.
While this, in general, can be extremely helpful as a means to check oneself, it implies that this rather delicate issue still exists and deserves constant reminding.
The Importance of Personal Hygiene in Tango
Personal hygiene in tango should not only address issues like body odor, bad breath, or perspiration. It extends to all other aspects of oneself, whether these are physical or behavioral. Alongside the usual problems involving personal hygiene, one must also pay attention to what one wears or how one behaves, especially during milongas.
Etiquette and good manners are an integral part of tango dancing primarily because tango is a shared experience.
If one does not dress well or behave appropriately, one is depriving others of their chance to enjoy tango for what it is — a dance that connects people with themselves and others.
A post from Tangobug Blog offers an explanation about how personal hygiene in tango can even be considered an art form:
“Just like in life, personal hygiene is important in tango. It can have a pleasant or unpleasant effect on the partners we embrace. To many tango dancers, personal hygiene is elevated to an art and a ritual.”
“As we enjoy dancing tango, we want to create a pleasant experience for our dance partner. A person may find it difficult to dance if their partner emanates objectionable odors, or lacks in other aspects of personal hygiene. Sensitivities and allergies should also be considered as they may have adverse effects on a person’s well-being.”
One must also remember that tango is also about visual appeal. This is more pronounced in milongas compared to practicas since the former is a social dance.
Thus, it is imperative for one to dress in the appropriate manner. This doesn’t necessarily mean dressing flamboyantly — it only means that one must make an effort to look in the best way possible.
A post from London Tango provides a very good take on this subject:
“For those of you who think that you should be able to wear whatever you want, as it is the dancing that really matters – well think again.”
“How one is presented is really important and may be what gets you the dances in the first place. Our vision is our first sense that we use in deciding with whom to dance. We use our eyes to see who is in the room. [...]”
“There is no excuse not to look your best – after all, you are part of someone else’s scenery. It is not fair to the woman who has been waiting all week for what may be her one night out and who may have spent a considerable amount of time doing her hair, nails, make-up, paying for the babysitter, etc. for this event. So if you do decide to go casual, don’t expect the glamour puss to be overjoyed with your request for a dance if you don’t look the part. [...]
“The same goes for the women — if you don’t normally make an effort, try it. There are men who like to dress up and no doubt would like to have a well presented lady in his arms to compliment him on the dance floor.”
“Another thing — even though it is thought that Tango may have originated in the ‘brothels’ of Buenos Aires — there is no need to look like a ‘lady of the night.’”
Of course, it goes without saying that one should exercise appropriate behavior at all times.
This generally means not asking another dancer invasive questions or sexually harassing them.
However, there are unspoken tango codes pertaining to good manners that may make it tricky for an individual should they encounter someone who appears to have poor hygiene habits.
For instance, in milongas, it would be considered extremely rude for one to break the tanda simply because their partner is perspiring, has bad breath, or bad odor.
One is only allowed to excuse oneself from a tanda when there is a grave emergency. Otherwise, one is expected to complete the tanda regardless of these hygiene issues, or else other dancers would mark one as crude or uncultured. It is more than likely that one would not be able to get another dance when that happens.
Personal Hygiene in Tango: The Dos and Don’ts
As the famous quote from Confucius goes: “Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you.”
Thus, if one does not want their tango experience to be ruined by a partner with poor personal hygiene, one must make an effort to practice good personal hygiene themselves.
While this might not be a foolproof way to deter those with poor personal hygiene from getting one as their partner, at the very least, one will not have a reputation for ruining the experience of others. At the same time, good personal hygiene is a sign that one is dedicated to making the tango experience as amazing as possible, both for oneself and their partner.
So what are the ways in which one can practice good personal hygiene before, during, and after a tango dance? Here are some general dos and don’ts outlined by various sources that have discussed the issue:
● Shower before attending a milonga or dance class. It is highly recommended for one to do this as close to the event time as possible. This ensures that one remains as clean and fresh as one can. According to So-Tango, “If you’re coming straight from work and can't shower, bring a fresh shirt or top.”
● Choose an antiperspirant over perfume or deodorant. Because tango is a passionate, energetic dance, sweating is inevitable. More often than not, however, the issue of unpleasant body odor stems from the sweat one secretes. Thus, investing in an effective antiperspirant will do better in preventing or minimizing unpleasant body odor instead of using deodorant or perfume to mask the smell. The problem with using fragrances is that their smell does not often mix well with sweat.
● Avoid using strong perfumes or colognes. Further to perfumes, colognes, or other fragrances, one must keep in mind that some may be allergic to certain smells. To keep your partner from adverse reactions, perfumes and colognes should only have a light or mild fragrance. A post from In Search of Tango serves as a good reminder: “Wear perfume with a pleasant fragrance and avoid odd scents. Be mindful that some people may be allergic to certain chemicals.”
● Good oral hygiene is a must. This means brushing one’s teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash before going to a milonga or a class. Good oral hygiene also means avoiding food with strong odors such as garlic, curry, spicy food, and the like. While there isn’t much talking going on during a dance, one’s partner could still smell one’s breath during a close embrace. Just before a dance, one could also chew mints or gum to keep one’s breath smelling fresh.
● Don’t smoke before and during dance activities. If one is a smoker, one might not notice the smell of smoke lingering on their clothes and breath simply because one is used to it. However, it’s quite different for non-smokers as they can easily catch a whiff of it. Thus, avoid smoking altogether until the event has concluded. This also applies to drinking as the smell of alcohol can stick to one’s clothes or breath.
● Men, bring extra shirts or a change of clothes. This is especially important if one tends to sweat a lot. Not only will this avoid an embarrassing scene, but it will also keep one from smelling like sweat or emitting an unpleasant body odor. It can also be rather uncomfortable for one’s partner to feel one’s sweat-soaked clothes close to them, so having an extra set in your bag will keep you clean and dry.
● Women, avoid backless clothing if you tend to sweat a lot. London Tango suggests this alternative: “It might be better to wear a really nice skirt and bring along a few extra tops to change into. Wearing backless dresses or tops is a no-no. I have heard a few men describe the icky factor of touching a woman’s sweaty back. It is a real turn-off.”
● Bring a handkerchief or a small towel. This can come in handy when wiping one’s sweat off between dances.
Be Pleasant and Presentable
Since tango is a dance that involves close contact, one needs to be pleasant and presentable when participating in a milonga or even when one is simply attending tango classes.
Staying clean and fresh throughout these activities is not only a sign of self-respect but also respect for one’s partner. Though personal hygiene remains a delicate subject among tango circles, it is better for one to constantly practice good hygiene habits to enjoy a fruitful experience with their dance partner.