How is one to dance w/out looking like one's being electrocuted?

[klinanime1]

With homecoming approaching rather soon and me being obligated to go because I'm playing w/the orchestral group for coronation (groan), I'd like to figure out how to dance, well, more like what is generally done and accepted. Last year I ended up being the one with the reading light at knee level, drawing, and I would like for that NOT to happen again as my back hurt horribly afterwards. I'd like to know what is generally considered conservative and not relatively humilitating, and don't just tell me to let the beat fill me because that's not going to give my confidence a boost.

[Sara]

[size=1]The secret to dancing:

[b]Don't wonder if you look like an idiot. Because you do.[/b]

If you want to go, you need to let yourself have fun. Jump around, be a fool. Don't worry what you look like. Everyone looks silly while dancing. Everyone.

People are bound to make fun of you (or seem to make fun of you), but no one really cares. It's a dance. No one remembers what happens the next day, anyway (unless someone got expelled or something, but that's another situation entirely..)

Remember: if people are teasing you, they're really just secretly jealous. ^_~[/size]

[MissWem]

[COLOR=DarkRed] Depends what kind of dance it is. There's ball room dancing where you stand with the partner and sway a bit :-/ which is tragically boring. But you can follow some generic moves and bob up and down a bit to the beat. Just remember, whatever you do don't over do it. It's better to have smaller subtle moves than anything extraordinary. Or there's the other thing people do, which is do some hand actions that go with the words of the song. Or those funky old moves like the monkey, the twist and swimming or something like that :s

Anyway, can't exactly "tell" someone how to dance, it's much better to have someone show you. One thing that never fails is to look around and copy someone else's moves ;) personally as long as a guy is willing to dance with me I don't care too much about how they dance. Dancing like you're being electrocuted is pretty forgivable.[/COLOR]

[Delta]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]
I attended a school dance dateless (by choice!). I didn't want to leave the dancefloor when a slow ballad came on so I urged my friend to join me weave through the sea of couples in an interpretative/ballet/whatever dance. When the song ended, the Interpretative/Ballet/Whatever School for Slow Dancing had gained 6 disciples.

My point is: [b]Go crazy[/b]. I believe only professional dancers should care about dancing well. For us not in the business, all that should matter is how much fun we will have.

Love and Peace! :love2:

[/SIZE] [/COLOR]

[Bullet Theory]

I agree with eternity. Just have a great time. If people laugh at you, then just ignore them and go on with the dancin'! I recently went to my girlfriend's high school's homecoming and the only dancing I can do right is slow dance, but when a techno song came on, I just had fun. I eventually resorted to a backflip or two, but in the end, it was great fun.

So just have fun, be yourself, and go for it!

[Sol-Blade]

[quote name='"klinanime1"']How is one to dance w/out looking like one's being electrocuted?[/quote]

Ah yes, [i]the[/i] question of questions. The most elusive of them all...more so than, "Why are we here?", "Where are we going?, and "Is there life after death?". But fear not, for I have the answer...if you wish not to know this knowledge, then do not read it:

[CENTER][spoiler]You can't because you shouldn't care.[/spoiler] [/CENTER]

The whole point is to have a great time and socialize with your friends and other kids at your school. If we all went to a dance...to [i]dance[/i]...well now that would just be down right weird in my honest opinion lol. Anyways, what I am trying to say is don't sweat it, don't care about it, don't worry about it. If other people actually care, then let them. It's their opinion, and you really shouldn't care about (Most people's at least...) other people's thoughts and views. If they dance really good, more power to them. No need to actually feel bad if you can't, and no need to put someone else down if they can't dance either.

If I had a dime for everytime I tried to dance and...well how can I put this nicely...err...sucked? I would be pretty da** rich. But you know what? I just laughed about it later. Why not? I was there to have fun, even if the good dancers said "I had no style, no sense of patterns...". Thing is, that statement is wrong. It should read "I don't have [i]their[/i] sense of style, [i]their[/i] sense of patterns...", I dance they way [i]I[/i] want to, even if it does look a little goofy. Heh, and trust me...it did. I know that because my friends saw me dancing as a [U]Kodak Moment[/U]. :D


Next time someone says you dance funny, say what I say,[I]"You all laugh at me because I dance differently, I laugh at all of you because you all dance the same."[/I]

[DeathBug]

[color=indigo][size=1][font=comic sans ms]Okay, here's what I did: learn a classic dance, like the waltz or something. ("Learn" is a relative term...) Then, when asked if you dance, say yes, but only classical moves. Then, you'll be acknowledged as someone who can dance, but you'll have an exuse when you dance like you're being electrocuted to faster music.[/color][/size][/font]

[Fyxe]

[size=1][color=darkblue]Here's a good one: Don't dance. Ah, but that's no fun.
What I mean is that every dance looks funny, so no matter what, you look like a moron. But that's what makes it so fabulous.
It's also pretty fun to watch the people who are dancing and pick out the most "creative" dance. That's always fun. I like going to dances, but only to watch people make fools out of themselves and me doing the same. You know, any dance move in being funny looking or stupid, is also very cool indeed. You never know what is a crowd-catcher. Different people have different tastes, and that's what makes everything..... different.

Joy.

So, in conclusion: Dance the night away and don't give a damn on who sees or what they think. Because, if you have the courage enough to get out there and do your thing, you are far better than those who stay at the sides making fun of people. If they do that, they shouldn't even BE at the dance.[/color][/size]

[Guest ScirosDarkblade]

You can always just take dance lessons, too. It's not the cheapest option, but it's not a bad alternative because the lessons themselves can be fun, and you'll know how to dance (at least a few styles) eventually.

Also, you have to realize that at most dances (esp. schools and clubs), NOBODY can dance. Everyone looks dumb. One reason is that nobody knows any moves. Another reason is the music sucks big time. ... Actually, that second reason is pretty much dead on. I'm not a bad dancer, but it's hard to do anything other than jump around (or feel a girl up, lol) when all you hear is bad rap for two hours (I can't breakdance so that's not an option).

The only places where it MATTERS if you know how to dance are: actual balls, some latin clubs, and other high-class get-togethers. Prom/homecoming/any HS dance don't fall into these categories. If you dance like crap in high school, believe me, you won't stand out, lol.

[Brasil]

I learned everything I know from Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, and Bruce Springsteen. Imagine all of those dance styles combined into one, huge, honky white guy mess, and that's me. I look absolutely horrid on the dance floor and I love every second of it.

I just goof off and have fun on the dance floor. That's all there is to it. Just goof off and have a groovy time.

[klinanime1]

Well, I'm definitely getting a "who gives a da**" vibe. Better, more specific question, though I may possibly get the same answers (being somewhat antisocial appears to have its disadvantages): What about dancing with your date? Contact or no, or what? :: confused:: I guess it's more of a proper etiquette question...