Dancefloor "battling" etiquette?

[rajkaran]

So I've been meaning to ask this for a while since this sort of situation has happened to me a few times and I've walked away from these situations either ashamed or confused...and I'd like to get some friendly advice so I know what I'm doing next time...

Hmmm...I'll start off with an anecdote: At my first competition ever (VIBC '08), I went to my first mixer where the teams were dancing on the dancefloor and whatnot...then I noticed some guys "challenging" or "battling" some girls on the dancefloor (bhangra, obviously), and I wasn't so sure how this worked...

Since then, in the midst of really loud dancefloors and afterparties, I've been approached for similar "battles"...and usually no verbal exchange is given, but merely one of those hand gestures followed by some bhangra moves...Not wanting to be rude, I play along and copy what my friendly "opponent" is doing...but to be honest, I had NO CLUE what I was SUPPOSED to do and felt very awkward...and I could tell that my confusion was throwing off my "opponent", and therefore ruining what should be a friendly dancing exchange on the dancefloor...I'm pretty sure I've detracted many people as a result lol

Soooo...

WHAT IS ONE SUPPOSED TO DO??? Do the "rules" change if you don't know the person? Is there a winner? How long do these last? When/How do they end? Do you let the girl win if you're dueling them? ithinkyougetthepoint etc etc...


Sorry for all the questions, but I'm sure other people on BTF have experienced similar situations, and I'd love to hear some feedback (or maybe even some funny stories, if you have any haha)!

 

[kinnell]

I honestly abhor it when people feel the need to "battle". Get over yourself - this aint Pokemon. You're not gonna get some merit badge for doing random high energy moves, getting WAY too close and wagging your finger at me.

On the other hand, I love to simply freestyle with other people to learn different styles and variations on moves and most importantly, simply enjoy the company of another bhangra dancer.

 

[Saab]

Ahhh Rajkaran, you have the plight that many others face when facing what our parents term "hoodlums" or "gundas" on the dancefloor.

Step 1:

Buy a banainwow and beat the guy in the face with it.

If this does not apply, you can do some of the following things.

1. Do steps from an empire routine

pros:
Its energetic
girls will be like whoahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh(if they dont know bhangra)
Its fan friendly

cons:
Repetitive
Your opponent has probably already done this

2. Do the Sgpd/NJ/Tdot

Pros:
Looks wicked
Everyones like "dude he just skeeted on yalls face"

Cons:
You might kill people in the process due to time and space(latter)
People prolly dont know what you did
Youll need at least 4k props

Rajkaran, just be aware that if someone feels like they are losing, the first instinct is to grind on there opponents, with the thought process that homosexual dancing is somewhat better than hetrosexual dancing.

Simply put, do what you wanna do, and if you dont want to do some crazy bhangra shittake(a mushroom which is good to eat), then just walk away. Otherwise, dig deep, and whip out some kj.

My Jugni is supereffective against double chaffa

 

[ghatora]

Ahhh Rajkaran, you have the plight that many others face when facing what our parents term "hoodlums" or "gundas" on the dancefloor.

Step 1:

Buy a banainwow and beat the guy in the face with it.

If this does not apply, you can do some of the following things.

... just be aware that if someone feels like they are losing, the first instinct is to grind on there opponents, with the thought process that homosexual dancing is somewhat better than hetrosexual dancing.

BAHAHA good advice using the banainwow!


and yeah, what's the deal with people using homosexual dancing as a last resort? is it supposed to be the be all that ends all? I wonder what's going through the dancer's head...

 

[faizan]

To win a battle, it is not about the moves, it is about the stamina...in order to knock your opponent out, you must consistently do physicaly harder moves for a longer period (jugni, bhatucks, etc.)

 

[AnkurK]

I think thats how I met Kinnell.
Faizan +1

 

[campy614]

Wow, I havent posted in a while. But I just HAD TO post on this.

This might be because I come from a hip hop background, but I LOVE battling. So much fun (depending on the people)!

There is no real etiquette to it. Basically the point is to out-do your opponent. He/She'll do one thing and you freestyle and do something hotter. In hip hop-it's ALL about high energy and something crazy. While in bhangra, because of the different kinds of dances which then leads to the different ways people can battle, it's not always about the energy or something crazy.

It's all about fun man. If you want to be technical, there will be a winner/loser-but that'll be up to the descretion of the people watching and in the battle. I could say "this person killed the other dude with 'insert move here,'" but someone else can turn around to me and say "nah man, the other dude was RIDICULOUS!"

If you're losing at the end of the battle (I've seen battles last a half an hour long... aka Faizan and Gurbir at my 21st birthday pre before AEG was even a thought), you could play it off by pulling an "OHHHHHHH" when whoever is doing their thing, give your opponent a pound and say "That was hot! Good shit!!" Lately people have been trying to play it off with the grinding thing, as if that'll make them win. If you're winning, be prepared to accept either.

Rajkaran, I'll battle you... but I'm more looking forward to the grinding part

 

[Laddi]

Get over yourself - this aint Pokemon.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...best line EVER..can be used in any situation...like EVER!

 

[faizan]

Faizan v. Gurbir was legendary, then we got into a fist fight with a kid outside, haha...

 

[Saab]

Wow, I havent posted in a while. But I just HAD TO post on this.

This might be because I come from a hip hop background, but I LOVE battling. So much fun (depending on the people)!

There is no real etiquette to it. Basically the point is to out-do your opponent. He/She'll do one thing and you freestyle and do something hotter. In hip hop-it's ALL about high energy and something crazy. While in bhangra, because of the different kinds of dances which then leads to the different ways people can battle, it's not always about the energy or something crazy.

It's all about fun man. If you want to be technical, there will be a winner/loser-but that'll be up to the descretion of the people watching and in the battle. I could say "this person killed the other dude with 'insert move here,'" but someone else can turn around to me and say "nah man, the other dude was RIDICULOUS!"

If you're losing at the end of the battle (I've seen battles last a half an hour long... aka Faizan and Gurbir at my 21st birthday pre before AEG was even a thought), you could play it off by pulling an "OHHHHHHH" when whoever is doing their thing, give your opponent a pound and say "That was hot! Good shit!!" Lately people have been trying to play it off with the grinding thing, as if that'll make them win. If you're winning, be prepared to accept either.

Rajkaran, I'll battle you... but I'm more looking forward to the grinding part

Do you remember when we did all that phummania at the mela at avap? All the kids were like what is that indian and white boy doing in the corner of the room....

Little did they know we were secretly stealing samosas thanks to the third member of our party, rohan...

 

[kinnell]

If you absolutely must get into a "¡BHANGRA BATTLE!"™ and it is absolutely not going your way (ie: Your girlfriend is changing her facebook relationship status to single via her Droid), try this handy maneuver. Surprise your opponent with a lethal "¡BHANGRA ROAR!"™ and you may be able to knock him/her out with the resulting sonic wave. Hell, he/she may instinctively respond with their own and you may gain acceptance from the onlooking crowd and a friend for life.*


The technique, in its primary testing phase:


*This statement has not been verified by the FDA. Results may vary. If you're ugly, chances are really really against you in making a new friend. Neither Kinnell nor Anakh-E-Gabroo Laboratories, Inc are not responsible for any damage, devastation or embarrassment caused by the "¡BHANGRA ROAR!"™. Please use with caution.

 

[Piarpreet Kaur]

If you absolutely must get into a "¡BHANGRA BATTLE!"™ and it is absolutely not going your way (ie: Your girlfriend is changing her facebook relationship status to single via her Droid), try this handy maneuver. Surprise your opponent with a lethal "¡BHANGRA ROAR!"™ and you may be able to knock him/her out with the resulting sonic wave. Hell, he/she may instinctively respond with their own and you may gain acceptance from the onlooking crowd and a friend for life.*


The technique, in its primary testing phase:


*This statement has not been verified by the FDA. Results may vary. If you're ugly, chances are really really against you in making a new friend. Neither Kinnell nor Anakh-E-Gabroo Laboratories, Inc are not responsible for any damage, devastation or embarrassment caused by the "¡BHANGRA ROAR!"™. Please use with caution.

u r hillarious....

 

[Piarpreet Kaur]

I think the best way to do it (i dunno in bhangra but in other styles) is to allow the other person to dance for a lil bit then when he is done showing off its your chance. Try not to repeat his moves unless they are a lot better.

then u go....
he goes....

and stamina, or moves will run out at some point... crowd basically booooooos the fella:
u win.

ive been in a couple for salsa and reggaeton. Its hella fun when u do it in a circle. Specially if ur oponent is drunk

 

[Joda]

i find the way campy was saying to be a lot funner, were u both go at it freestyle trying to out do each other... and i dont like the way some ppl battle where u have to keep copying their move or them copying urs... but the funnest after party i remember where ppl just went around battling for a good while was that after after party for the previous boston... went back to the hotel for a night full of leg cramps... but hellla fun! lol

 

[sargam627]

i find the way campy was saying to be a lot funner, were u both go at it freestyle trying to out do each other... and i dont like the way some ppl battle where u have to keep copying their move or them copying urs... but the funnest after party i remember where ppl just went around battling for a good while was that after after party for the previous boston... went back to the hotel for a night full of leg cramps... but hellla fun! lol

Boston Bhangra After After Party was epic.. So many familiar faces and so many friendly battles. You could spend 3 hours there and still not get bored.. I did

 

[Joda]

i find the way campy was saying to be a lot funner, were u both go at it freestyle trying to out do each other... and i dont like the way some ppl battle where u have to keep copying their move or them copying urs... but the funnest after party i remember where ppl just went around battling for a good while was that after after party for the previous boston... went back to the hotel for a night full of leg cramps... but hellla fun! lol

Boston Bhangra After After Party was epic.. So many familiar faces and so many friendly battles. You could spend 3 hours there and still not get bored.. I did

fa reals it was like held from 2am to 6am... this is after the after party and i was still bitching when they were shuting it down at 6 in the mourning!...lol
mad props to boston committe for tht one!

 

[KingGeorge]

when in doubt... do bhetkaan

 

[rajkaran]

Ahhh Rajkaran, you have the plight that many others face when facing what our parents term "hoodlums" or "gundas" on the dancefloor.

Step 1:

Buy a banainwow and beat the guy in the face with it.

If this does not apply, you can do some of the following things.

1. Do steps from an empire routine

pros:
Its energetic
girls will be like whoahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh(if they dont know bhangra)
Its fan friendly

cons:
Repetitive
Your opponent has probably already done this

2. Do the Sgpd/NJ/Tdot

Pros:
Looks wicked
Everyones like "dude he just skeeted on yalls face"

Cons:
You might kill people in the process due to time and space(latter)
People prolly dont know what you did
Youll need at least 4k props

Rajkaran, just be aware that if someone feels like they are losing, the first instinct is to grind on there opponents, with the thought process that homosexual dancing is somewhat better than hetrosexual dancing.

Simply put, do what you wanna do, and if you dont want to do some crazy bhangra shittake(a mushroom which is good to eat), then just walk away. Otherwise, dig deep, and whip out some kj.

My Jugni is supereffective against double chaffa

Ahhhh I see...so BanainWOW is the trick, eh? I already ordered a dozen! haha

and I must say that my phumania is pretty killer as well! I'll pass on the grinding until I become more skilled in "battling" hahaha

Hmm...I definitely empathize with both the modern of BE and the more traditional Toronto style...but ima stick to a friendly medium with cuBhangra style haha

It's all about fun man. If you want to be technical, there will be a winner/loser-but that'll be up to the descretion of the people watching and in the battle. I could say "this person killed the other dude with 'insert move here,'" but someone else can turn around to me and say "nah man, the other dude was RIDICULOUS!"

Yah for sure it's all about the fun! I've been known to bust out all sorts of dance styles on the dancefloor (in the hopes that no one is looking while I embarrass myself lol)...be prepared to face raas/bhangra/bollywood/giddha (yes, giddha)/dutty-whine ALL in 1 haha

If you absolutely must get into a "¡BHANGRA BATTLE!"™ and it is absolutely not going your way (ie: Your girlfriend is changing her facebook relationship status to single via her Droid), try this handy maneuver. Surprise your opponent with a lethal "¡BHANGRA ROAR!"™ and you may be able to knock him/her out with the resulting sonic wave. Hell, he/she may instinctively respond with their own and you may gain acceptance from the onlooking crowd and a friend for life.*

Ima def try out the "¡BHANGRA ROAR!"™ at our next comp lol...I wonder what else will come from the AEG Laboratories!! hahaha


THANKS for the advice! I've got a lot more perspective on this! Until my next comp, Ima try to choreo my secret weapon lol

 

[Waleed]

when in doubt... do bhetkaan

haha +1

 

[campy614]

It's all about fun man. If you want to be technical, there will be a winner/loser-but that'll be up to the descretion of the people watching and in the battle. I could say "this person killed the other dude with 'insert move here,'" but someone else can turn around to me and say "nah man, the other dude was RIDICULOUS!"

Yah for sure it's all about the fun! I've been known to bust out all sorts of dance styles on the dancefloor (in the hopes that no one is looking while I embarrass myself lol)...be prepared to face raas/bhangra/bollywood/giddha (yes, giddha)/dutty-whine ALL in 1 haha

Rajkaran-I'm calling you out man! Let's battle raas/bhangra/bollywood/giddha style!! I think I'd lose on purpose just so I'd get to not-so-awkwardly grind up on you