THE POOR SECOND COUPLE

 

One of the good things about the Good Old Days is that everyone could read and everyone could count.  Should we blame the demise of the grammar school for the drop in numeracy, probably not; but there are so many people who just can’t count.

 

If we consider a “normal” dance of 3 couples in a 4 couple set, where First Couple  go through supported by their corners and then repeat from second place, three couples are moving every time. Everyone has two turns as dancing couple, and four turns as supporting couples, so everyone is in six repeats.

1+2&3,   1+3&4,   2+3&4,   2+4&1,   3+4&1,   3+1&2,   4+1&2,   4+2&3

Sometimes, however, there is a 5^th couple to be fitted in as there aren’t enough to make up another set.  That’s O.K. if the music is played 10 times, but if the music is only to be played 8 times the balance of the set is changed, and the people who lose out are the original second couple!

 

You don’t need a degree in hard sums from Oxbridge to realise why.  If 4s go to the bottom after their turn, the second couple are in action 4 times while everyone else is in action 5 times – poor second couple.

1+2&3,   1+3&4,   2+3&4,   2+4&5,   3+4&5,   3+5&1,   4+5&1,   5+1&2.

If dancing couples are given 2 points, and supporting couples 1 point; 1s and 3s get 7 points, while 2s, 4s & 5s each get 6 points, which is as fair as possible. 

 

Recently we have been getting M.C.s who are totally innumerate and can’t count beyond 4.  This is an appalling situation in the 21^st century considering the money spent on education.  They show their ignorance by telling the 4^th couple to go into second place after their turn!!   This is an advantage to 4s who then have 6 turns. 1s, 3s & 5s each have 5 turns, but the poor second couple only have 3 turns.  The original second couple are penalised even more!!!   4^th couple dance twice as much as 2^nd couple!

1+2&3,   1+3&4,   2+3&4,   2+4&5,   3+4&5,   3+5&1,   4+5&1,   5+4&1.

If dancing couples are given 2 points, and supporting couples 1 point; 1s, 3 & 4s each get 7 points each, 5s get 6 points and 2s only get 5 points.

 

It is obviously fairer to all if 4s have their one turn as dancing couple and then go to the bottom.  So next time the M.C. suggests that 4^th couple have their turn then go into second place, we must all object – with a loud voice.