It is hardly easy to describe in a few words what Argentine Tango is. So I'd better start with what Argentine Tango is not. It is not:
- Ballroom tango (or "International tango", or "European tango", or "American tango" or even "Finnish tango");
- The flitzy stuff you have seen in the movies (most likely).

The differences between Ballroom and Argentine tango are rather thoroughly described in the "Argentine Tango" Wikipedia article. I don't know much about ballroom, so I will have to rely on that knowledge. In short: argentine tango was never meant as a competitive dance, its steps aren't standardized, there are significant differences in the embrace, walk and the music it is usually danced to. (See the article for details)

Why not the films? A fair percentage of the Hollywood production (especially the earlier pictures) would be inspired by the Ballroom interpretation of the Tango. But even in those cases, when the films feature professional argentine tango dancers (most commonly known are Sally Potter's "The tango lesson" (1997) and Carlos Saura's "Tango" (1998)) - the tango you see in those films is not exactly your everyday tango danced at the milongas (tango dancing evenings in Buenos-Aires and all over the world). As the mission of Stage or Show Tango is mostly to impress the public - it is easy to miss the true essence of the thing behind flashy moves and flying shoes.

So, what is it then? I prefer to describe Argentine Tango as an improvisational language, developed over the last century for the connection of two dancing bodies on four feet in total. At least that is where evolution has brought it (even though you will find enough dancers who would deny the possibility of evolution for the "true" tango altogether - well, true or untrue, it moves on and there is nothing you can do about it).

There are no set steps or sequences - the base pillars of the dance being connection between the partners and improvisation. The leader interprets the music and transmits his vision of what is going to happen to his (or her) follower as they dance. The follower listens carefully and co-interprets the melody as she (or he) follows. In a way the whole process can be compared to collective painting - with your feet.

There is no competition (apart from the fact that your fellow dancers will also want some space on the dance floor). Argentine Tango is turned inwards and everything of importance happens inside the couple's common space. Naturally you will find a lot of dancers, who are there to impress others. But in most cases the dance is danced with the partner and for the partner, the only judge being the music.