There is an aspect closely associated with Tango dancing that is still difficult to fit into the American culture, prone as it is to competition and individual achievement which at times dangerously borders jealousy and envy. We call it 'amistad' which is a concept of friendship where being called an 'amigo' is a precious commodity involving love and respect for each other. Silly as it may come across, in the Argentine social culture, mothers are forever brides and fathers more than fathers are friends. The young are protected and the old are respected. Friendships aren't spoiled by success or failure, wealth or poverty, good times or bad times.
Friends rejoice when they make progress on the dance floor.
Friends kid around as they compete to outdo each other on the art of firuletes. They feel loved and appreciated when trading jokes about each other's whims and mannerisms. Friends, Tango dancers or not, are the ones who once a year around this time, remind us to enjoy and celebrate the accomplishment of having lived another year, and having danced another Tango.