Forums > Social Discussion > American's dancing vs UK techies or ...?
Login/Join to ParticipateGOLD Member
(the person actually known as Chris Bailey)
544 posts
Location: Austin, TX, USA
(the person actually known as Chris Bailey)
544 posts
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posted:
This line of thought came from the rebumping of NYC's thread (which I didnt realize was from a few years ago until the 3rd page).
I don't have a poi community besides these online forums, so I really don't know about other spinning communities and what their outlook on spinning is. I always assumed peoples attitudes were like that of the London poi-people i.e. trying to figure out all the different ways to use a move and learn loads of technical stuff. It seems that technical spinning is predominantly the focus on this site and especially on |S| so I just figured that was the main attitude toward poi and the one I adopted. I know ten times as many Canadian poi-people as American ones and have never been to a poi gathering in the states. Luckily that'll change come March 2nd but until then I have more experience with poi people outside of the U.S.
My question is, is there a noticeable difference between American styles of spinning compared to European spinners compared to Aussie spinners and so on so forth? I really have no idea. It's just that I sometimes see references to Americans dancing about and not having alot of technical ability and I am wondering if this stereotype is for the most part true or just people joking around.
This line of thought came from the rebumping of NYC's thread (which I didnt realize was from a few years ago until the 3rd page).
I don't have a poi community besides these online forums, so I really don't know about other spinning communities and what their outlook on spinning is. I always assumed peoples attitudes were like that of the London poi-people i.e. trying to figure out all the different ways to use a move and learn loads of technical stuff. It seems that technical spinning is predominantly the focus on this site and especially on |S| so I just figured that was the main attitude toward poi and the one I adopted. I know ten times as many Canadian poi-people as American ones and have never been to a poi gathering in the states. Luckily that'll change come March 2nd but until then I have more experience with poi people outside of the U.S.
My question is, is there a noticeable difference between American styles of spinning compared to European spinners compared to Aussie spinners and so on so forth? I really have no idea. It's just that I sometimes see references to Americans dancing about and not having alot of technical ability and I am wondering if this stereotype is for the most part true or just people joking around.
Peace, Love, Circles
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
My answer's not the one you're looking for, but I would say that wherever you are there are people who aren't interested in tech. I like learning moves, flows between them etc, but flow is the most important thing for me. Perhaps the reason there's an assumption (made by many) that any given area is more techy than another is that in densely populated, non-holiday areas more people get together, so the desire to do something new is greater, and thus there's a faster evolution. In places like Oz where there are millions of travellers coming, learning to a basic level and moving on there's probably less reason for the skilled locals to improve, because they'll always be "good" from a tech standpoint.
But meh, that's just my observations, probably just as wrong as anyone else's
My answer's not the one you're looking for, but I would say that wherever you are there are people who aren't interested in tech. I like learning moves, flows between them etc, but flow is the most important thing for me. Perhaps the reason there's an assumption (made by many) that any given area is more techy than another is that in densely populated, non-holiday areas more people get together, so the desire to do something new is greater, and thus there's a faster evolution. In places like Oz where there are millions of travellers coming, learning to a basic level and moving on there's probably less reason for the skilled locals to improve, because they'll always be "good" from a tech standpoint.
But meh, that's just my observations, probably just as wrong as anyone else's
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
I think that there is a difference between certain communities. The only problem is when communities start spilling over into other communities. I've got one foot in the Burningman community and one in the UK geek community but am very much NOT a member of either.
Then again, with as little poi as I've been spinning lately maybe I'm just an observer these days. (JAFO for you Blue Thunder fans...
)
I think that there is a difference between certain communities. The only problem is when communities start spilling over into other communities. I've got one foot in the Burningman community and one in the UK geek community but am very much NOT a member of either.
Then again, with as little poi as I've been spinning lately maybe I'm just an observer these days. (JAFO for you Blue Thunder fans...
) Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
I guess it's more the teachers... I see some teachers styles at many firespinners... can't descern on nationalities... though the french are very elegant, the thai very fast, the germans (usually) very static and the pommies usually drunk... as for the us-americans I think they should stop singing starlight express while spinning...
*runs off and hides behind a fig-tree*
I guess it's more the teachers... I see some teachers styles at many firespinners... can't descern on nationalities... though the french are very elegant, the thai very fast, the germans (usually) very static and the pommies usually drunk... as for the us-americans I think they should stop singing starlight express while spinning...
*runs off and hides behind a fig-tree*
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK
Posted:
Firstly I disagree that there isn't a dancey style in London! I can name London and UK spinners with dancey styles and Americans with static, non-dancey stlyes. But I guess we're talking stereotypes here, and I'm ok with grouped assumptions like that.
There is a certain style from country to country and region to region and this is definitly caused by the different people we all hang out with. Different groups have different emphisies on certain moves and styles but there's always enough people to have diversity which then acts as further input to that group's uniqueness. All this makes it really interesting to travel about watching spinners!
Last night in Melbourne I could spot the French spinners amongst the crowd as well as the fact that they'd been hanging out with bluecat Rob! And then there's bender, who you can spot anywhere!!
Firstly I disagree that there isn't a dancey style in London! I can name London and UK spinners with dancey styles and Americans with static, non-dancey stlyes. But I guess we're talking stereotypes here, and I'm ok with grouped assumptions like that.
There is a certain style from country to country and region to region and this is definitly caused by the different people we all hang out with. Different groups have different emphisies on certain moves and styles but there's always enough people to have diversity which then acts as further input to that group's uniqueness. All this makes it really interesting to travel about watching spinners!
Last night in Melbourne I could spot the French spinners amongst the crowd as well as the fact that they'd been hanging out with bluecat Rob! And then there's bender, who you can spot anywhere!!
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
Aha so you have caught up with Jay and Stef perhaps?
Gotta love 'em
Aha so you have caught up with Jay and Stef perhaps?
Gotta love 'em
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
GOLD Member
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
america? uk? all shall bow down to the wickedness of the scandanavian antti-matter!!! your hearts will turn to rubber at their leetness!
america? uk? all shall bow down to the wickedness of the scandanavian antti-matter!!! your hearts will turn to rubber at their leetness!
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
GOLD Member
Mission: Ignition
534 posts
Location: Central New Jersey, USA
Mission: Ignition
534 posts
Location: Central New Jersey, USA
Posted:
I think America is weird in that even though we're the same country, there's a big difference between states as well. I'm interested in a combination of things, possibly because there isn't a big poi community here. I've been to NYC though and seen some really good dancers... as well as more technical spinners that just kinda stand there.
The US really is a big melting pot where everything comes together. I always love seeing 10 different stlyes when I see 10 people spin.
I think America is weird in that even though we're the same country, there's a big difference between states as well. I'm interested in a combination of things, possibly because there isn't a big poi community here. I've been to NYC though and seen some really good dancers... as well as more technical spinners that just kinda stand there.
The US really is a big melting pot where everything comes together. I always love seeing 10 different stlyes when I see 10 people spin.
Don't mind me, just passing through.
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,942 posts
Location: London, UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,942 posts
Location: London, UK
Posted:
- being a uk spinner i can only comment on what i see here but in london i think there is a fair mix of dancy and techy
i think that the situation that you first see people depends how you class them - when i have music i tend to (try to) be very flowwly and such like using only fairly simple moves and wraps but when i practicing i tend to spin quite technically messing about making up new moves
i think the number of spinners also has an impact - here there is a fairly static core of spinners who are always around each other feeding off each others' ideas (i know i do it to simian and people at my uni's juggling soc.)
personally i think that theres a fairly even balance of tech spinners to dance spinners - the techies being out numbered if anything but thats just my perception
- being a uk spinner i can only comment on what i see here but in london i think there is a fair mix of dancy and techy
i think that the situation that you first see people depends how you class them - when i have music i tend to (try to) be very flowwly and such like using only fairly simple moves and wraps but when i practicing i tend to spin quite technically messing about making up new moves
i think the number of spinners also has an impact - here there is a fairly static core of spinners who are always around each other feeding off each others' ideas (i know i do it to simian and people at my uni's juggling soc.)
personally i think that theres a fairly even balance of tech spinners to dance spinners - the techies being out numbered if anything but thats just my perception
back
GOLD Member
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom
Posted:
Personally, I think style is more of an individual thing rather than american vs european vs australasia vs rest of world
Personally, I think style is more of an individual thing rather than american vs european vs australasia vs rest of world
Always use "so's your face" and "only on Tuesdays" in as many conversations possible
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Although, we tend to imitate alot, so if you have an excellent dancer, spinner or manipulator near you, your style can often be influenced by him/her.
(ie... a lot of people around Cork tend to move in a very splendid Ronan-esque stylee)
Although, we tend to imitate alot, so if you have an excellent dancer, spinner or manipulator near you, your style can often be influenced by him/her.
(ie... a lot of people around Cork tend to move in a very splendid Ronan-esque stylee
) Getting to the other side 
SILVER Member
veteran
1,314 posts
Location: Blu's Pocket, United Kingdom
veteran
1,314 posts
Location: Blu's Pocket, United Kingdom
Posted:
I reckon it depends on what mood your in . . . .
well it does for me....
If I am in a period of growth (trying to learn and nail loads of moves or link things) I am a lot more static, when I am just chilling listening to some music I can be quite animated.... and as for when there is a little red light in front of me I am just rrrrrrrrrrruuuubbiissshhhh evil red light of doom lol
I reckon it depends on what mood your in . . . .
well it does for me....
If I am in a period of growth (trying to learn and nail loads of moves or link things) I am a lot more static, when I am just chilling listening to some music I can be quite animated.... and as for when there is a little red light in front of me I am just rrrrrrrrrrruuuubbiissshhhh evil red light of doom lol
member
105 posts
105 posts
Posted:
i can't speak for the us as a whole, seeing a how i've only seen a couple other spinners in the us, most not very good, and then there's my little group and we all very greatly. i personally like to learn everything, i like to be tech, and i definately need to flow from one move to the next, flow very important to me, dancy stuff i don't really do 'cause i can't dance. while my friend jared is very rave, he spins very fast, only does a couple of simple moves like the weaves, and butterfly. and rodger spins like me but with less consideration of where the audience is and he's more tech than me. all in all i think style somes from personal preferece, but i could be wrong
i can't speak for the us as a whole, seeing a how i've only seen a couple other spinners in the us, most not very good, and then there's my little group and we all very greatly. i personally like to learn everything, i like to be tech, and i definately need to flow from one move to the next, flow very important to me, dancy stuff i don't really do 'cause i can't dance. while my friend jared is very rave, he spins very fast, only does a couple of simple moves like the weaves, and butterfly. and rodger spins like me but with less consideration of where the audience is and he's more tech than me. all in all i think style somes from personal preferece, but i could be wrong
The quest for poi perfection may bring much enlightenment...
and burns
OOUUUUCCCHHHHIIIEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com