Any advice?

[dancenoob213]

Hey, my name's derick. anyway, i was just wondering if you guys have any tips. cause my friend's bday is coming up next friday and she's been bugging me to go to our homecoming (not asking me to go with her, but i guess u can put two and two together). anyways, i've been saying no to her because honestly, i suck at dancing and i've never really been fond of it (which i've told her). i was always kinda the shy type before and still kinda am, so i've never really been to dances, only an eigth grade dance and a freshman dance (currently a senior now). but anyway, i was thinking of slipping a homecoming ticket in her locker as a bday present. but that still leaves the problem of me not knowing even where to begin dancing. and like i said, i've only been to two dances, so i'm not even that familiar with how the people are going to be dancing at our homecoming. and up to now i'm still nervous and unsure of what to do so i was wondering if any of you guys could tell me what to expect (if you know) and how to do whatever type of dancing i'll be encountering if possible. i read the "I have no idea how to dance" thread from the sticky, but that's mostly just about grinding and obviously, there's more than just grinding at homecomings. anyway, i have about 18 days where i can spend 2-3 maybe 4 hours practicing before hoemcoming, so any advice would be great! thanks for any help

[fascination]

check your local park dept and ymca for any ballroom basic group classes...things like a basic box step and some basic front, side and back rocks would go a long way at this juncture...and also remember that just about every other person there is feeling the same way...and no one is really looking at you at all...the girl will care more that you care about her... show her by being attentive and asking her about herself...shower, shave, smell good, smile and be a good listener and gentleman...it will be fine....

[jwlinson]

Is the "sway side to side" slow dance still popular in school? When I went there were far more of those than anything else.

YouTube is an invaluable source for dance vids to watch, to give you an idea of what to expect. Many dance studios also keep up on new dance trends, and one in your area may be able to help you pick up a few steps to use. As an added bonus, you could bring your friend along. Lessons make great gifts :)

Above all, just go have fun. Don't worry over it too much, as most of the people there won't have a clue either. Find a beat and move to it :)

Double props to you for knowing there's more to dancing than grinding, btw.

[fascination]

ditto re the grinding

[Chiron]

Dude, any time a girl is hinting like that go for it. She doesn't really care that much if you can dance, she is more interested in you. I would agree with Fasc advice, be nice and treat her well. As far as the dancing thing, you could try a couple basic classes. In high school (9 years ago) all I could do was the 'high school sway' and that was the same for most the other guys. If you are still in doubt, you can always watch Hitch and take his advice on dancing...

[samina]

Yep, great advice from all. And as for the actual dancing, whether in slow dance or by yourself, side to side in rhythm to the music, where you're enjoying it rather than worrying about it, is the best place to start.

[Easy]

If she really likes you, and you feel the same way, why not just be honest with her. Tell her how you feel. Don't take a chance on her being asked by someone else. Don't be sneaking around her locker...just go right up and ask her! Slow dancing is so easy. If you're uncomfortable with the fast dancing, sit em' out and talk to her or watch others dance so you can see what you like.

Anyway....JUST GO!!!! I never went cuz I was too shy.....I wish I had gone. You're a senior, and you'll never have another homecoming again ;)

[dancenoob213]

wow thanks for all the reply guys, i really appreciate it. i've joined other sites before (not about dancing though) and sometimes it'd take days to get one reply, if any. and Easy, yea, i kinda told her like last summer or something i liked her. and then i actually asked her to my junior prom last year but she said no without actually saying no if you know what i mean (ended up not going haha). but want i was saying about the locker is that it's her birthday and as far as she knows, i don't want to have anything to do with homecoming. so i thought it'd be a surprise if i put a homecoming ticket with a note asking if she wants to go with me

[Indiana_Jay]

Go rent the 2005 Will Smith movie, "Hitch." Fast forward to the scene where Hitch teaches Albert to dance. Memorize it (what Hitch does, not what Albert does). This is where you live.

Good romance on the birthday present idea, but as the TV chef says, "kick it up a notch." Get yourself a small gift box, put two dance tickets in it, wrap a bow around it, give it to her in person on her birthday, and have her open it while you're there. That way a.) you get to see her reaction and b.) you can make sure she knows the other ticket is for you!

[samina]

great gift idea, IJ. :D

[Easy]

I like IJ's idea too :)

[dancenoob213]

haha, thanks for the suggestion IJ. but i don't know, that would kind of put her in the situation where she would need to say yes whether or not she did want to go. and yea, even though i said that "put two and two together" thing, i'm not really sure if she does want to go with me. cause she was the one bugging me saying to go to my prom last year, and like i said to Easy, i asked her and she said no. otherwise that'd would've been a great suggestion ^^

[nucat78]

Is the "sway side to side" slow dance still popular in school?

I was at a fundraiser Saturday night with a live band and the "clutch and sway" still seems to be enormously popular with the 40+ crowd, along with vigorous random freestyle spasms.

People, especially some ladies, stared when we did a waltz, foxtrot and basic hustles.

[RickRS]

People, especially some ladies, stared when we did a waltz, foxtrot and basic hustles.

Lets face it; most social gathering that include dancing rarely have real dancing, just "clutch-n-sway". Some one doing basic ballroom would attract attention. In a good way, that is; I'm sure the ladies were wishing that was them on the floor with you.

[nucat78]

Yah, just HAD to do a couple turning twinkles to give 'em a thrill. LOL!

[QPO]

I agree with all, be honest and a girl will feel really special if a man tries to dance for her. Girls love a man that can dance...I encourage you to find somewhere to learn, but the shuffle and sway is always good on a crowded floor :-)