So, what are star tips? Star tips have been called many things, for example, after tips, hot hash tips and 50 cent specials. Nowadays, Star Tips are usually tips at a higher level than the dance.

They are tips that generally take place at the end of a dance, after the regular dance is over. They are not part of the regular dance. They are extra. If the dance is a C1 dance with C2 star tips, then the dancers who paid for a C1 dance are not paying for them. They paid for a C1 dance. The star tips are not part of the dance. They are bonus tips.

The after tips were for friends to dance with friends and to try material that was more difficult than normal dance material. Years ago there were not many dances with computer squares so the tips were mostly open, both regular dance tips and star tips. Even dances that used computer tips had their star tips open. The star tips were tips of choice. You chose to dance or not and you chose who you danced with.

The widespread use of computer squares changed the perception of all that. Many dancers now believe that the star tips belong on computer squares, too.

Let's take a look at that.

Many weekends have put their star tips on computer squares. This means that a dancer no longer has any choice of dancing partners. The less experienced dancers now get up for the star tips because they know they will have someone to dance with. The experienced dancers get stuck with the less experienced dancers.

Some callers don't put star tips on computer squares. They do this as an attraction so the experienced dancers will come to the dance or weekend. The experienced dancers then get mixed in with the less experienced dancers for the regular dance, thereby hopefully improving the dancing at the regular dance. The experienced dancers then get to dance with other experienced dancers for the star tips.

It is not unusual that dances will have star tips on computer squares. Many dancers who have not finished star tip level lessons take a number and attempt to dance the harder material. This is hardly fair to those who know the material. When you are a new dancer, don't force yourselves on the better dancers. It is unfair and inconsiderate.

Yet, some dancers get angry with open tips because they feel that they are getting shut out from the better squares.

This may very well be true. The experienced dancers gravitate to each other and the less experienced dancers are left to dance with each other. Unfortunately, perhaps, but that is human nature and has been a part of square dancing for a long time.

When we were new dancers, our local club caller would call a 50 cent special at the end of the regular dance. The new dancers would form their own squares at the back of the hall and try the 50 cent special. We were happy when we got 17 cents worth. Over time, we got better and were invited into squares by the better dancers. This is the real world. Just because you show up at a dance doesn't mean that you have the same right to dance in the star tips as those who have put their time and effort into becoming competent dancers. You have to earn your spurs. If you have been dancing for a couple of years and are not invited into the open tips -- there is a reason. Figure it out.

No one starts as a good dancer. Skills and experience must develop over time. We all went through this. The experienced dancers have earned the right to dance with each other. They paid their dues. Others must do the same.

At one weekend, a dancer who was making a lot of mistakes said that he didn't care if he broke down. Then that dancer complained when the star tips were not on computer squares. At another weekend, the star tips were on computer squares and a lot of less experienced dancers got up to dance. Each tip received their share of the less experienced dancers. As a result, most squares were broken down often. Who won this one? The dancers who knew how to dance but didn't? The unskilled dancers who were able to get into squares they might not have otherwise been invited into and still didn't dance? No one won. Everyone at that dance lost.

Dancers need to keep a little perspective about star tips, understand why they exist, where they have been and where they are today. Dancers who feel shut out of star tips they want to dance in are not being cheated. They paid for a dance. They got a dance. If they want to dance, they should make up their own squares.

The star tips are for dancers who want to choose who they want to dance with for the star tips.

Star tips are free extras. Live with it. If the better dancers cannot make their own choices for the star tips, they may choose to not come to the dance at all. Then who wins.

Dancers who are new to the star tip level are often invited into star tips by the experienced dancers. This is a great help to the newer dancers and a great morale booster for them. It is an important element in their growth as dancers. Without open star tips these dancers will miss an excellent dancing experience.

Dancers who are new to the star tip level and who are not invited into the star tips either are not known to the experienced dancers or are known to be less experienced dancers at the previous level. These people probably shouldn't be at the star tip level in the first place. Their exclusion from the star tips is a result of their trying to dance at a level where they don't belong.

Putting star tips on the computer promotes mediocrity at the star tip level by encouraging less experienced dancers to dance where they may not be capable and slows the development of dancers who would benefit form the help of the experienced dancers.

Star tips on computers benefits no one and is detrimental to the square dance community in general.

Let's have a fair standard for dances. Since many dancers want computer squares and many don't, let the star tips be open. In that way everybody gets something. Dancers who insist that everything be done their way are not being realistic or considerate.