Experienced tango dancers know that using the Cabeceo/Mirada (the "head nod" / "look") in tango rose out of mutual respect – respect for the Followers to choose their dance partner without causing anyone to feel rejected, and respect for the Leads, to request a dance discretely. Yet the podcast "Why Cabeceo?" explores a very different, very positive and beautiful view on the Meaning of the Cabeceo

Thank you to Andrea G for sharing this podcast, created by Dimitris Bronowski, the Curious Tanguero.

The cabeceo is complex. Like many rules, it’s important to know whether it is used universally in a tango community, and each communities has its own rules of use for this tradition. After all, in the past, dancing a tanda in Argentina was viewed more like a date than a dance like it is in the USA.

In this podcast, Bronowski says an acknowledged cabeceo means more than just “We want to dance together". He discusses the reasons for the deeper meaning, too, as an emotional response to the music itself.

Listen to the "Why Cabeceo?" podcast for all the insights.

This topic is also covered in the book Tangofulness by Dimitris Bronowski.