The one aspect of dance I don't like ...

[pygmalion]

Yes, I know this forum is just full of dance fanatics. We love the heck out of dance. 8) So here's a question. If there is one thing about dance that you have to suffer through to get the joy, what is it? Not necessarily a dance step, although if there's one that makes you miserable, that's fine too. But just one thing about dancing that bothers you. Could be shyness, could be a specific technique or step, could be the expense of it all ... Whatever bugs you the most. What is it? :)

[etchuck]

Certainly the expense... the fact you have to invest so much to even feel like you're competent... the fact that you have to rely on a partner to progress.

[dancin_feet]

The only aspect I don't like is the $$$$$. But I have accepted that if I want to achieve my dancing goals, it is a necessary part.

[Kitty]

The fact that my boyfriend and I disagree on anything you can disagree on about dancing. :-)
We disagree on technique, on what looks good, on whether I'm a good dancer (well, now he pretends that he thinks I'm a good dancer, but who knows what his real opinion is...), on which other people (among our friends) are good, on whether standard is as interesting as latin, and on whether or not I'm too crazy about the whole dancing thing!

[pygmalion]

Some of the best relationships are full of conflict, kitty, at least in my experience. :wink:

That said, have you considered getting a partner of your own, who isn't your romantic interest? That might change things enough to give you more power in your relationship with your boyfriend. Just a thought ...

[10Dancer]

The lack of male partners in my area! :evil: But, it is just a part of the dance world, like the expense thing. Such is life!

[Sagitta]

People who are there to show of with no regard for others on the dance floor. People with no regard for others on the dance floor.

[MacMoto]

The fact that it's primarily a late night social activity. I'm not a natural night person. On weekdays I have to get up early in the morning, so dancing is more or less out of question. And my going out on weekend nights contributed to my recent breakup from my non-dancing husband (although it was by no means the only reason it happened, it certainly didn't help).

[jdavidb]

Everything about it turns out smooth enough for me except wanting to do it in a show where the only partners available are girls who want to make sure the partner dances never surpass their group dances.

[Flat Shoes]

Sweating too much. :lol:

[pygmalion]

Everything about it turns out smooth enough for me except wanting to do it in a show where the only partners available are girls who want to make sure the partner dances never surpass their group dances.

I don't understand. What is it that's getting on your nerves? Your dance partners?

[jdavidb]

It's not really the partners getting on my nerves. It's ok with me if they hate the partner dances. What's frustrating is that I'm 250% ready to do all four in the show, but the stuff requires a partner. With no partner, it doesn't matter how ready I am. No willing partners renders me 0% ready no matter how much I work on stuff.

When I get a partner who goes along with it, but is obviously miserable with these dance styles, it feels even worse to me.

[Adwiz]

No willing partners renders me 0% ready no matter how much I work on stuff.

Well said. I'm currently going through that: both of my partners have, perhaps temporarily, lost interest in dancing so I can't do anything no matter how enthusiastic I am. That sucks!

[Vince A]

No willing partners renders me 0% ready no matter how much I work on stuff.

Well said. I'm currently going through that: both of my partners have, perhaps temporarily, lost interest in dancing so I can't do anything no matter how enthusiastic I am. That sucks!
My wife, Carolyn, is in the same boat. She is an Advanced dancer, but her Pro that she competes with is talking about moving to another state. So, she will be looking for another Pro or a non-Pro partner to dance "couples divisions" here real soon . . .

Hey, Adwiz, how far are you away from Modesto, CA???

Back on topic - the $$$$$$$ is my biggest PITA . . .

[salsachinita]

The lack of male partners in my area! :evil: !

Same here!

I've been feeling really frustrated & disatisfied lately. I'm so sick & tired of sitting out songs (or doing solos), fighting over the same guys (in the process some might grow a big ego), putting so much efforts into so many things yet still nowhere near getting my fix!!!!!!

Ok, needed to winge.......

[Vince A]

Sitting??? Even while wearing that sexy white outfit???

Me thinks Australian men need to get away from those kangaroos!!!

[Sagitta]

The lack of male partners in my area! :evil: !

Same here!

I've been feeling really frustrated & disatisfied lately. I'm so sick & tired of sitting out songs (or doing solos), fighting over the same guys (in the process some might grow a big ego), putting so much efforts into so many things yet still nowhere near getting my fix!!!!!!

Ok, needed to winge.......

Is it the scarcity of male dancers, or the scarcity of really good male dancers? If the latter, then work on some of those not-so-good ones and they'll remmeber you when they become one of the good ones.

[Sakura]

Things that frustrate me? Four big hitters :evil: :

1. MONEY!!! (What's a poor teenager to do?)
2. Being the only person in my immediate family and immediate "added-on" family who loves dancing.
3. Being too young to go anywhere for "social" dancing. (5 years to 21 in October!)
4. The Volta step in Samba! :cry: :cry: It's so cool, but it's soooo hard!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[KevinL]

The thing that bothers me about dancing is that more people don't do it. I wandered around town last night and found 2-3 places where bands were playing (one very good jazz band!), but not a single person even looked like they were bopping to the music. Luckily I was with one of my dancing friends, so we got in a couple of nice dances.

How can people _sit_ and listen to music?

Kevin

[Laura]

I've thought about this and have decided to answer in two parts. The first part is related to social dancing. What I don't like is when I find out weeks or months later that someone wanted to dance with me but was afraid to ask because they thought I was too advanced. That's so silly, how can they know for sure unless they try dancing with me? And what kind of snobby jerk do they think I am anyway? I never turn anyone down, unless it's for a dance I don't like, such as samba, and then I say something like "I really don't do samba, but come get me for the next cha cha or rumba!"

The other part is related to competition dancing. I have a difficult time dealing with the body image issues related to competition dancing. I've been struggling with my weight all my life (was anorexic and bulemic as a teenager, then became a compulsive overeater after college), so I have to be really careful around the competitive crowd that I don't let myself get sucked into the kinds of self-destructive behaviors that I used to exhibit. There's a lot of pressure to look a certain way, and it's not a way I'll ever look, but I enjoy competing too much to walk away completely from it.

[Sakura]

How can people _sit_ and listen to music?

Potentially two reasons:

1. They don't have the confidence to get up on the dance floor. (Especially when there's no one else up dancing to cover them up.)
2. They're not cool like us DFers and don't know any steps! :wink: :twisted: 8)

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[tsb]

People who are there to show of with no regard for others on the dance floor. People with no regard for others on the dance floor.

defintely lack of floorcraft on the part of other dancers.

[tsb]

How can people _sit_ and listen to music?

Potentially two reasons:

1. They don't have the confidence to get up on the dance floor. (Especially when there's no one else up dancing to cover them up.)
2. They're not cool like us DFers and don't know any steps! :wink: :twisted: 8)

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

or they're fellow musicians; most don't dance.

[Sagitta]

How can people _sit_ and listen to music?

Potentially two reasons:

1. They don't have the confidence to get up on the dance floor. (Especially when there's no one else up dancing to cover them up.)
2. They're not cool like us DFers and don't know any steps! :wink: :twisted: 8)

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

or they're fellow musicians; most don't dance.

:headwall: :headwall: :headwall:

I agree with the sentiments above, but still!!

I go to the latin dance tonight in case an extra leader is needed, and some merengue music is playing before the lesson starts. I ask one person to dance and I'm turned down. I ask another and another and another and they all turn me down. Ridiculous!! In the end I see someone coming in, grab her, and do half a merengue. I barely know AT, 3 hours worth, and even though I would rate it as one of the most difficult dances I was out there doing it at the practica yesterday night.

If I don't know how to dance to the music I still dance, responding to the music. There are those who cannot do that, however. However, some people claim to just enjoy listening to music, even dance music.

[Adwiz]

Hey, Adwiz, how far are you away from Modesto, CA???

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Sakura]

If I don't know how to dance to the music I still dance, responding to the music. There are those who cannot do that, however. However, some people claim to just enjoy listening to music, even dance music.

Being a Band Geek, I can play the field when it comes to what I do to music; but mostly, it starts with my foot tapping out the beat, and my body starts moving from there! :D I just can't resist the Dance anymore!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[peachexploration]

Yes, I know this forum is just full of dance fanatics. We love the heck out of dance. 8) So here's a question. If there is one thing about dance that you have to suffer through to get the joy, what is it? Not necessarily a dance step, although if there's one that makes you miserable, that's fine too. But just one thing about dancing that bothers you. Could be shyness, could be a specific technique or step, could be the expense of it all ... Whatever bugs you the most. What is it? :)

Just one thing? :lol: :lol: Hmm..I've been thinking about this one alot and unfortunately, I have a whole list but what would be THE thing that bothers me? Baggage outside of dance brought into dance. What do I mean? See example :arrow: You're not the Boss of Me! (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2438&highlight=boss)

It bothers me that so many aspects of human baggage can tarnish the "idea" of dance and will and have caused many to be turned off by it. But we are human so that part will never go away and certainly, none of us are perfect. Still, it bothers me. :)

[Sakura]

It bothers me that so many aspects of human baggage can tarnish the "idea" of dance and will and have caused many to be turned off by it. But we are human so that part will never go away and certainly, none of us are perfect. Still, it bothers me. :)

But because we're human, we can change, if we truly desire it! We can help improve this problem by gently and subtly pointing out things we think the person we just danced with could improve upon, and then asking if they noticed something we could work on. This way, both lead and follow may improve. If one or the other decides not to improve, *shrugs* then it's a loss to them.

...However, that could backfire, I suppose, if you have an extrordinarily cruel lead/follow who says that you've done everything wrong... In that case, I'd say to go find a friend whom you know will be honest but kind! :D

Constructive criticism is welcome in Writing but also in Dance! 8)

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[peachexploration]

It bothers me that so many aspects of human baggage can tarnish the "idea" of dance and will and have caused many to be turned off by it. But we are human so that part will never go away and certainly, none of us are perfect. Still, it bothers me. :)

But because we're human, we can change, if we truly desire it!

Very true, Sakura. :D

[DanceAm]

The thing that bothers me about dancing is that more people don't do it. I wandered around town last night and found 2-3 places where bands were playing (one very good jazz band!), but not a single person even looked like they were bopping to the music. Luckily I was with one of my dancing friends, so we got in a couple of nice dances.

How can people _sit_ and listen to music?

Kevin


More people doing it,...hmmm. This seems to be the root of what most people have trouble with. If more did it, the expense would go down. Also, more people would get a chance to dance or find regular dance partners if it were more popular.

I think the expense is the worst part for me. My wife and I are rather obsessive about our dance and find it hard to stay satisfied at our level, we always want to get better. There is no "good enough" for us, we want more.

[etchuck]

More people doing it,...hmmm. This seems to be the root of what most people have trouble with. If more did it, the expense would go down. Also, more people would get a chance to dance or find regular dance partners if it were more popular.

I think the expense is the worst part for me. My wife and I are rather obsessive about our dance and find it hard to stay satisfied at our level, we always want to get better. There is no "good enough" for us, we want more.

I'm not sure about if more people were involved the expense for the customer would go down. Now if there were more instructors, the cost for the students would probably be kept from rising as much, though I guess that depends. Now if more people did dance, it's possible that the cost for social dancing would go down, though it could be offset with more expensive venues and more perks as it were.

[mellody43]

The one aspect?

Sweat.

=)

Melissa