“Sola?” Carlitos asked me a bit curiously when I showed up one night at the practica without the accompany of my friend. My dear kindhearted friend took me to the practica at Sunderland first time, (and a couple of times after) and introduced me to Carlos and Rosa, and other acquaintances. The very same night, people inquired if I was the Novio. 
Another night, I went to Nino Bien with a good friend who is a professional. She got us a very nice table by the piso, front row. We were having a good time, chatting, people watching and commenting. We danced our first dance together…
The moment I met with a portena later, whom I got acquainted with in the milongas, for a tanda. Her first question for me was ” is that your girlfriend?” My friend told me later that at least twice she was asked if I was the new boyfriend.
Isn’t it an outdated mentality that tango is only for hooking up with someone? Can man and woman just be good friends, sharing a bottle of champagne or beer or wine together, having a tanda or two? Why must some people assume that because two show up together at a milonga, they are, by default, lovers?
Apparently, in some minds, tango is just a means to get some… 
