How do people know you're a dancer?

[MadamSamba]

For me, my wall at work has salsa/tango/ballroom pics on it. I get told that I "hold myself" like a dancer (which can't possibly be true) and that I "dress" like a dancer, which is hilarious.

Do your friends/colleagues know about your secret life, or is it not so secret?

If so, how do they know? Do you have pointe shoes on your computer or pictures of Bryan Watson plastering your walls? Perhaps you prefer to keep it to yourself?

[salsachinita]

I'm not sure I go around making anouncments to everyone (well, not since my newbie days when I was a lot more excitable :oops: ).

.........but these days, things are clear to the people who knows me. I've always been able to put dance related things in my life first, because everyone seems to have an understanding (or they know that I'm just gonna do it anyway :roll: ).

I'm not sure if I walk or dress differently.....but I do have a sense of self-assuredness & groundedness (...making up words as I go along!) that I never had during my pre-dance days.

That, and the fact that I run into people from dance related things almost daily, or strangers stopping me to comment on my dancing at various clubs :oops: .........we do live in a pretty small city.

[pygmalion]

Clothes. Definitely the clothes. Something about my wearing jazz pants and tight t-shirts gives people the idea that I dance. I wonder why. :roll: :wink:

[Spitfire]

My non-dance aquaintences know because I have told them so.

[Sagitta]

I'll talk to anyone and everyone about dance. It is funny how so many conversations turn to the topic of dancing. :?

[peachexploration]

I'll talk to anyone and everyone about dance. It is funny how so many conversations turn to the topic of dancing. :?

Yup, me too Sagitta. Playing Salsa music 24/7 is also a dead giveaway. :)

[Sakura]

I'll talk to anyone and everyone about dance. It is funny how so many conversations turn to the topic of dancing. :?

Yup, me too Sagitta. Playing Salsa music 24/7 is also a dead giveaway. :)

=^__^= I too am guilty of talking about dance to nearly anyone and everyone. :wink:

My friends all know, mostly becuase I gush to them all the time when a new dance breakthrough happens, or if I just had a good time. They poke fun at me sometimes, but it's all in good fun.

I'm not sure if I could be tagged as a dancer from posture, confidence, or dress. I've always had good posture, too much confidence (arrogance! *cough cough* ) for my own good, and I dress how I dress.

So, I suppose people will only know when I talk about it... or when I suddenly break out with my dance moves in open spaces! :lol: :lol: My driver's ed. class seemed to get a kick out of my doing Salsa one day...

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[Sagitta]

=^__^= I too am guilty of talking about dance to nearly anyone and everyone. :wink:

So, I suppose people will only know when I talk about it... or when I suddenly break out with my dance moves in open spaces! :lol: :lol: My driver's ed. class seemed to get a kick out of my doing Salsa one day...

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

We dancers doing our thing to put a smile on everyone's faces, doing our bit to make the world go around... :)

[ShyDancer]

Hmmm my #1 reason would have to be excited exclamations of "ooo! you can cha cha/jive/samba/waltz to this song!" whenever I hear songs on the radio :lol:

That or my compulsive need to try and associate everything with dance...

[etchuck]

Screensavers showing photos from various dances usually tips off the people I work with.

[Purr]

I'll talk to anyone and everyone about dance. It is funny how so many conversations turn to the topic of dancing. :?

Yup, me too Sagitta. Playing Salsa music 24/7 is also a dead giveaway. :)

=^__^= I too am guilty of talking about dance to nearly anyone and everyone. :wink:

:kitty:

:D

[DWise1]

Yep, playing the Swing CDs is one way. Or mentioning an upcoming dance when someone asks what I'll be doing that night or weekend.

The other way is in how my walk has been enriched. I certainly don't do a John Travolta down the hall and thanks to my Aikido training I've been "walking like a dancer" for decades, moving and turning from my center instead of with my feet. But now instead of getting caught flat-footed in the inevitable near-collisions (the ones were afterwards we jokingly thank the other person for the dance), I find myself breaking into a side step, cross step, or back step. Nothing fancy and I don't do turns or spins (much), but I keep time throughout the entire evolution.

[Sakura]

We dancers doing our thing to put a smile on everyone's faces, doing our bit to make the world go around... :)

:D It's the truth! Now if only we could teach everyone how to do spins, THEN we could really make the world go around! :roll: :oops: :roll: My, there goes the odd-ball sense of humour again...

Hmmm my #1 reason would have to be excited exclamations of "ooo! you can cha cha/jive/samba/waltz to this song!" whenever I hear songs on the radio :lol:

That or my compulsive need to try and associate everything with dance...

I do that too!!!! :shock: I think it's kinda fun... And then if I'm standing I actually start doing some of those moves... =O_o= Being addicted is fun! Of course, my associating everything with dance goes something like:

"I just spent $$$ on this (insert item)!"
":shock: :D HEY! That'd buy me (insert a number) dance lessons!" From there the funny looks ensue... :wink:


I'll talk to anyone and everyone about dance. It is funny how so many conversations turn to the topic of dancing. :?

Yup, me too Sagitta. Playing Salsa music 24/7 is also a dead giveaway. :)

=^__^= I too am guilty of talking about dance to nearly anyone and everyone. :wink:

:kitty:

And I thought I was the only one who did this! :wink:

:lol: :lol: Join the club! I'm sure many of us here on DF are guilty of this "crime!" Confessions, anybody?

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[squirrel]

I think people know I dance... don't know how... it might be that I always end up talking about dance, or that I only listen to Salsa, or that I am never available to go to the movies ('cause I'm out dancing or teaching dance) or that I walk sometimes using Salsa steps, or I start reheasing a particular move in the bus station or supermarket!

[Sabor]

some times when i'm walking down the street i do the moonwalk..

or is it because i have salsero written across my forehead..

hmm not sure.. will ask and get back to u :wink:


:lol:

[Sakura]

some times when i'm walking down the street i do the moonwalk..

or is it because i have salsero written across my forehead..

hmm not sure.. will ask and get back to u :wink:


:lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Kudos to you that you can do the Moonwalk on pavement! *grins* It's one of the harder feats to achieve without a smooth, gliding surface!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[Purr]

I walk sometimes using Salsa steps, or I start reheasing a particular move in the bus station or supermarket!

How many of us have done this? Practiced a step waiting in the teller line at the bank? Did the cha cha cha lock step or rumba walks down the aisle in the supermarket? Waltzed shopping at the mall? Practice styling in front of the mirror in a public restroom? Danced in your office?

Of course, I'm not admitting I actually did any of these! I'm pleading the Fifth. :wink:

[Sagitta]

I walk sometimes using Salsa steps, or I start reheasing a particular move in the bus station or supermarket!

How many of us have done this? Practiced a step waiting in the teller line at the bank? Did the cha cha cha lock step or rumba walks down the aisle in the supermarket? Waltzed shopping at the mall? Practice styling in front of the mirror in a public restroom? Danced in your office?

Of course, I'm not admitting I actually did any of these! I'm pleading the Fifth. :wink:

Just standing is boooriing!! Of course. :)

[Sakura]

I walk sometimes using Salsa steps, or I start reheasing a particular move in the bus station or supermarket!

How many of us have done this? Practiced a step waiting in the teller line at the bank? Did the cha cha cha lock step or rumba walks down the aisle in the supermarket? Waltzed shopping at the mall? Practice styling in front of the mirror in a public restroom? Danced in your office?

Of course, I'm not admitting I actually did any of these! I'm pleading the Fifth. :wink:

Just standing is boooriing!! Of course. :)

Aww, don't plead the Fifth, Purr! We all love a good story! Nicely said, Sagitta!

I'm sure nearly all of us here on DF are guilty of this "crime." :wink: I'll break out in Cuban walks down the hallway at school, if there's no threat of me getting run over by traffic, and I mentioned that time at Driver's Ed. I just think it's so much fun; and if I have the space/time to practice, why shouldn't I?!

SK :kitty:

[IndyDancer]

When my husband and I were first learning Cuban motion he would practice EVERYWHERE! :roll: I'm talking grocery store, Blockbuster, church... I teased him pretty bad and he got some strange looks, but he did pick it up much faster than me (who practiced only in the safety of our home).

[Chris Stratton]

Nearing a comp venue, I like to play "spot the little car with adults with funny hair in the back seat". This works best with college comps.

There's also "look at the freaks tuning throwaways in the gas station parking lot"

[dancin_feet]

How do people know I'm a dancer?

I tell 'em!! :lol: :lol:

I have been told that I carry myself like a dancer, but I guess so do a lot of people who don't actually dance, so that's not really a tell all factor.

[mellody43]

People know I'm a dancer mainly because when they ask what I'm going to do over the weekend I outline where I will be dancing. LOL!

[pygmalion]

It's a sickness, my friend. A sickness. :wink: :lol:

[mellody43]

It's a sickness, my friend. A sickness. :wink: :lol:

I know. Forget about a social life, I'm DANCING! (And all my dates are with men from the clubs -- NOT good.)

[pygmalion]

Sometimes (not all that often) nice men go to clubs, looking for nice women. They're usually shell-shocked divorcees, so you'd better grab 'em quick, before somebody else gets them. Anybody who looks comfortablein a club, is probably TOO comfortable. :? :lol:

[Lita_rulez]

Ouhhhh that's a good one !

Well, one good reason why everyone at work knows I'm dancing is how I plan my holidays.

my boss : everybody grab a calendar and get in here, let's plan the next 3 months hollydays.

Every one gets in with his hollyday plans (corsica, florida, spain, whatever)
I get in with...
a listing of all congress, the prices, and the classes I'd like to attend :roll:

Every so often, I'll be standing by the copy machine or waiting for a fax. And as someone said : standing is so boaring ! So I'll usually burst into a shine or try spinning. (now what you have to know, is that the copy machine is just at the door from my CEO's office... So I am putting my career in jeopardy every time I have a copy to make ;) )


At lunch, the question is usually
so, what did you do last night ?
I'm always answering "salsa"

And on fridays :
so, what have you guys planned for the week end ?
well... It's either "cleaning up the house, wash my clothes, and salsa in the evening" or "going away for the week end to that special salsa venue"


I do think those are fairly obvious giveaways ;)



Now for the people who don't know me...

Well, the first thing is I usually dance my grocery shopping away.
How do I do that ? Very easy : I actually LEAD my shopping cart. Instead of pushing it in front of me like regular joe, I push it a bit, so that it slows down. And I get in front of it right before we get to the isle I want to turn into, so I can grab it in my back with one hand, and spin it towards the isle. grab it with my other hand and push it in front of me. Or sometimes, I'll pull it from behind me, spin while it passes me, and grab it once I stop spinning (actually missed it once, thought I could do a double left, thank god no one was coming the other way...)
OK, I don't do that in midst of a saturday afternoon crowd, and I don't do it all the time, but still, sometimes, I can't help it...

Second thing : Salsa music most of the time : I don't listen to the radio, and I am only in my car for 20 to 30 minutes, so I just take my last salsa CD and play it over and over... and more often than not, I'll just take it with me to the office and play it some more ;)

Third thing : Well, I'm not gona tell a third, or a fourth thing, I allready feel like the freak show here, so I'm just going to shut up now...


(besides, I have to go to the restrooms and try that shine I was thinking about at lunch...)


Oh well...

[kwa445]

Hmmm my #1 reason would have to be excited exclamations of "ooo! you can cha cha/jive/samba/waltz to this song!" whenever I hear songs on the radio :lol:

Hahaha! :lol: I do the exact same thing all the time! I think it drives my non-dance friends crazy...

[cl5814]

Hmmm my #1 reason would have to be excited exclamations of "ooo! you can cha cha/jive/samba/waltz to this song!" whenever I hear songs on the radio :lol:

Hahaha! :lol: I do the exact same thing all the time! I think it drives my non-dance friends crazy...

Almost every piece of music you hear becomes a "what shall i dance to this ?" game.

I once walked into a hotel, where unknown to me, there was a ballroom competition going, and the front desk lady said to me, "You must be a competitor this weekend?". By the look on my face, she must have realized that i wasn't quite sure what she was talking about and clarified that there was a competition this weekend but that i had the look (figure and height) of a competitor. ( This happended during a move out of town and i just picked the closest hotel to my next apartment.....)

[Vince A]

I know, for sure, that some of our DF members wear pink tutus . . . I'm sure they wear them everywhere they go . . . even a non-dancer would know that THEY DANCE! :wink:
Those non-dancers may not that these tutu toting people are dancers, but they know that they are dancing to some sort of tune???

[pygmalion]

I think that's called travelling to the beat of a different drum. :wink: :lol:

[Vince A]

Yea . . . that's what I said :wink:

[cocodrilo]

I don't advertise that I dance, like with "Salsera" t-shirts or anything, but I wear clingy clothing and people ask if I work out (which is more that I do than dancing these days, sorry...)...I was in Covent Garden (London) checking out a cool reggae band recently and I just started to shake butt, latin style and these guys came up and asked if I was a professional dancer(I'm like "Yeah, right..., no, just too much WINE!!!). Even had my mum chuckling! I dance when I feel like it, doesn't matter who sees it or not, 'long as the music's good!

[Kate]

I have a small sweatshirt type thing that comes off the shoulders saying 'The Deborah Bond Dance Acadmey' on it, so I think they get the idea. :P

[Cats]

When I go Salsa dancing I look at the womens shoes. If they are wearing dance shoes it is a bet they have at least put some time and effort into getting the proper foot attire. So they probably have been dancing awhile. If they are wearing flip flops, then it is a sure bet they have never danced salsa before.

>^..^<

[cocodrilo]

When I go Salsa dancing I look at the womens shoes. If they are wearing dance shoes it is a bet they have at least put some time and effort into getting the proper foot attire. So they probably have been dancing awhile. If they are wearing flip flops, then it is a sure bet they have never danced salsa before.

>^..^<
Oh, but if you are in Mexico, middle or South America, you can bet these women know how to dance, and NONE of them wear special dance shoes!(What you are saying is true about "salsa clubs", however!!! I've seen it, too!)

[MacMoto]

I actually LEAD my shopping cart. Instead of pushing it in front of me like regular joe, I push it a bit, so that it slows down. And I get in front of it right before we get to the isle I want to turn into, so I can grab it in my back with one hand, and spin it towards the isle. grab it with my other hand and push it in front of me. Or sometimes, I'll pull it from behind me, spin while it passes me, and grab it once I stop spinning
Shopping trolleys (carts) at the supermarkets I go to are not so agile... they don't turn the direction you lead to (hmmm... sounds like me on my off nights :oops:)

Third thing : Well, I'm not gona tell a third, or a fourth thing, I allready feel like the freak show here, so I'm just going to shut up now...
Oh come on, tell us! You must realise by now that these behavours are nothing out of ordinary on DF... :wink:

(besides, I have to go to the restrooms and try that shine I was thinking about at lunch...)
:lol: :lol: :lol: Restrooms are for spinning practice (spot a Salsafreak spins video owner :lol:)! I practise my shines while I wait for my bus/train...

[Sakura]

Third thing : Well, I'm not gona tell a third, or a fourth thing, I allready feel like the freak show here, so I'm just going to shut up now...
Oh come on, tell us! You must realise by now that these behavours are nothing out of ordinary on DF... :wink:

(besides, I have to go to the restrooms and try that shine I was thinking about at lunch...)
:lol: :lol: :lol: Restrooms are for spinning practice (spot a Salsafreak spins video owner :lol:)! I practise my shines while I wait for my bus/train...

She's right, L_R! We wanna know! Enough of us (read: me!) babble on and on, you have a right to too!

Hmm, must try the spinning bit at school... However, I wait for the bus on my lawn, in the morning, when it's all wet, so I don't think I should practice there... (I might fall!) 8)

SK :kitty:

[DancePoet]

I typically talk to people about their interests and mine. Naturally dancing comes up. I have even had people who I haven't said a word to about my dancing come up and say, "So... I heard you're a ballroom dancer?" Obviously someone else has mentioned it!

And a person knows their co-workers know when they start asking me on Fridays if I'm going dancing again that evening. :)

[SuzieQ]

Pictures from competitions on my desk at work
Key chain with "dance" and "i love dancing" charms
My current checks say "I'd rather be dancing" on them
When people ask what I do in my spare time...
I tell people when I have a lesson or class and they've invited me to do something else
I try to have good posture but I'm not sure people really notice that

[DancingMommy]

People can tell I'm a dancer by my purse, lol!

http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2960&highlight=lookee

[Katarzyna]

I wear my practice clothes outside too frequently... Pink or blue full circle practice skirt with a suit Jacket...

[cocodrilo]

CUUUUUTE bag, DancingMommy!!! :D

[DancingMommy]

Thanks Coco!

[Sakura]

That's awesome, DF!!!!!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[Twilight_Elena]

Huh. Look what I just found... Cooool thread! :D
People know I'm a dancer because all my friends are dancers, and the few that aren't are so close to me they just... know.
It's also inevitable that when I meet someone new, even if s/he isn't a dancer, the subject of dancing will come up really fast. See what happens when a friend calls me:
-Hey there girl! Me and the boys, we're going out for coffee after the lecture. Wanna come?
-Sorry, can't do. I've got a group lesson and then ballet. Sorry!
-How about tomorrow then? We're going to this club near uni.
-Tomorrow I teach six hours in the afternoon and then I have to practice.
-Oh come on, just skip practice for once!
-:shock::shock::shock: Sacrilege! *hangs up*

T_E

[fascination]

posture, hair-do...and every other word that comes out of my mouth

[SuzieQ]

Pictures from competitions on my desk at work
Key chain with "dance" and "i love dancing" charms
My current checks say "I'd rather be dancing" on them
When people ask what I do in my spare time...
I tell people when I have a lesson or class and they've invited me to do something else
I try to have good posture but I'm not sure people really notice that

I now have two nifty jackets to wear that have dancers and comp event names on the back.

[jschaab]

Hmm... As someone who has always had a tendency to pace, I suspect that when twist turns and chase turns found there way into my pacing the secret was out ;)

[latingal]

ummmm.....I tell them?

[kayak]

The pink tutu will fit right in until after next week :)

[PasoDancer]

How do people know I'm a dancer? They don't. I have no tanigible evidence with which to present them. I don't look like one, I don't move like one, I might actually not BE one. There are dancers, and then there are people who like to dance a lot. That distinction should be made.

[Twilight_Elena]

How do people know I'm a dancer? They don't. I have no tanigible evidence with which to present them. I don't look like one, I don't move like one, I might actually not BE one. There are dancers, and then there are people who like to dance a lot. That distinction should be made.

Meh. It took me a long time till I had the heart to call myself a dancer. Even now (after 2 years, pro training and working as a teacher every day) I still feel like a cheater, like the REAL dancers are out there and I'm lint on their Supadances.

T_E

[Sagitta]

well I'm a dancer... ;-)

[wooh]

...I'm lint on their Supadances.
T_E
:p So THAT is what I am! Actually, I just recently caught myself calling myself a dancer! It's very weird.
How do people know I'm a dancer? Because I won't shut the hedoublehockeysticks up about it! And I know they're sick of hearing about it!

[kfineyouw1n]

They know you're a dancer, when all eyes are on you, dancing in the corner with your partner, and are awed.

[PasoDancer]

Great. Now I'm dancing Supadance lint.

[Twilight_Elena]

Great. Now I'm dancing Supadance lint.

Oooookay, this whole "lint on the Supadances" thing... let's get it straight. Maybe it could be an honorable distinction? Like, if I was lint on KARINA's Supadances that have showcased around the world, I'd be some happy lint. :lol: So if we're lint, we're VIP lint. Aye?

T_E

[wooh]

So we're the lint that's able to get into the happening lint parties?

[Twilight_Elena]

So we're the lint that's able to get into the happening lint parties?

Of course! And we also get to dance with the champ Pros, seeing as we're on their shoes.
Look at me! I just did a quadruple spin! (No you didn't, Julia's shoes did.)


T_E

[DancinProf]

I met my soon-to-be new teacher last night at a social--a gorgeous redhead with mad ballroom skills. She led me through a swing and made me look awesome even though I didn't know half the steps she was doing. As soon as I saw her dancing, I thought of this thread! "Ah," I said to myself, "now I know whose shoes I am lint upon."

(bad grammar...one expects better from an English prof....*slinks away*)

[Sabor]

by the way i walk usually.. lithe, smooth, relaxed with a light shoulder swagger.. LOL!

[caityrosey]

My ugly feet *sigh*

[alemana]

i have quite a muscular body for a dancer, especially above the waist, but people ask me frequently anyway, 'aren't you a dancer?' considering i've been doing this only about 3 years, i'm still stunned every time i get the question.

[fireinflight]

... like the REAL dancers are out there and I'm lint on their Supadances.
T_E

Must say, I love the lint analogy :) That's what I feel like every time I injure something and go to a physical therapist or a doctor or something, and have to tell them why I need my range of motion back *now* please (I'm very accident prone). But I can't call myself a "dancer" after just dancing for a year, barely starting prenovice (what if a real dancer heard?), so I just say, "I like to dance" - pretty lame.

Maybe in another few years I'll be able to call myself a dancer, and people will be able to tell by looking at me! :D

[PasoDancer]

I know you! I almost knew you as soon as I saw you on the road coming to my door. Since then, there is no movement of yours that has not betrayed you! A pace, a glance, a turn of the head, the flash of your throat as you breathe... even your way of standing perfectly still - they were all my spies!

Appropriate, methinks.

[DWise1]

Yesterday arriving at work, one of the women suddenly walked out of a side corridor right in front of me. To avoid a collision, I immediately did a check-step back and then continued forward now that the way was clear. The first thing she said to me after exchanging morning greetings was, "How's the dancing going?"

[reb]

Yesterday arriving at work, one of the women suddenly walked out of a side corridor right in front of me. To avoid a collision, I immediately did a check-step back and then continued forward now that the way was clear. The first thing she said to me after exchanging morning greetings was, "How's the dancing going?"
your weight must have been centered to do that!

[SPratt74]

Yesterday arriving at work, one of the women suddenly walked out of a side corridor right in front of me. To avoid a collision, I immediately did a check-step back and then continued forward now that the way was clear. The first thing she said to me after exchanging morning greetings was, "How's the dancing going?"

That's a very cute story! I would have loved to have seen it lol! ;)

[DWise1]

your weight must have been centered to do that!

It always is (Aikido training three decades ago). Plus, I had my laptop case hanging from one shoulder while carrying my briefcase with the other hand.

[DWise1]

That's a very cute story! I would have loved to have seen it lol! ;)

Then I probably shouldn't mention the lock-step I do when pushing a door open.

No, I seem to recall I already have in this thread.

[It's Wonderful]

I do that too! And I pivot when turning corners, kind of like that guy in the Japanese "Shall We Dance" - I feel like such a crazy dancing fool, and I love it :D

[Indiana_Jay]

My ugly feet *sigh*Now that I've seen them first hand, I can testify that her feet are not ugly!

[Pacion]

by the way i walk usually.. lithe, smooth, relaxed with a light shoulder swagger.. LOL!

And there I was thinking, it was the white suit and black shoes! ;)

(a la John Travolta/Saturday Night Fever!)

[caityrosey]

Now that I've seen them first hand, I can testify that her feet are not ugly!


Very nice of you to say so...you saw them post-pumice stone, which helps :)

[Sabor]

And there I was thinking, it was the white suit and black shoes! ;)

(a la John Travolta/Saturday Night Fever!)


umm no.. actually more like a cat..

but i appreciate the weird thought lol

[Pacion]

Hmmmm. You appreciate the "weird thought" do you? If you thought THAT one was weird, I am glad I didn't say "black suit with white shoes" ! :lol:

[SPratt74]

Lol... I wanted add one more thing to this. Every time I go to a club now, I'm always asked if I'm a dancer lol. Sometimes they don't know what kind of dancing that I do, so they'll ask me and I'll tell them. But that's really kind of nice to know that I have that well persona about me lol, because that to me is a high compliment all to itself especially since I haven't been dancing all that long. ;)

[noobster]

Lol... I wanted add one more thing to this. Every time I go to a club now, I'm always asked if I'm a dancer lol. Sometimes they don't know what kind of dancing that I do, so they'll ask me and I'll tell them. But that's really kind of nice to know that I have that well persona about me lol, because that to me is a high compliment all to itself especially since I haven't been dancing all that long. ;)
Hee, people used to ask me that in clubs long before I had any dance training. Now that I've picked up the salsa thing I guess I could say yes! but I think I would feel weird describing myself that way. (I won't call myself an artist either though, even though I've been drawing and painting my entire life.)

SPratt, if it's only started happening since you started training they must be picking up on something real, which is cool. For me I think it speaks more to the general public's lack of insight into what dance training means. I also had one of my salsa leaders ask if I had a ballroom background - I was thinking lolz, you must not either or you wouldn't ask me that question! :D (I don't think it was a compliment either since 'ballroom' is hardly the look most salser@s are going for.)

As for the ugly feet - well, mine were ugly long before dancing came into my life. At least I have an excuse now. :)

[yanka]

My gym has a weekly yoga class that starts after the abs class I go to. One day I got curious and went up to the teacher as she was warming up and asked her about it and whether it would be reasonable for me seeing as how I have no yoga experience. She looked me up and down and said 'well, clearly you do something...dance?'
:-D

[Sagitta]

Someone asks me....

What are you doing Tuesday -- Taking a nap and going dancing.

What are you doing Saturday? Taking a nap and going dancing.

What are you doing Sunday evening? Taking a nap and then going dancing...

Kinda obvious. ;-)

[fascination]

lol, probably the sequins on my jeans, the posture that never breaks, and the large packet of competition photos that are always in my hands...could also be the acrylic nails and the tan

[fascination]

Someone asks me....

What are you doing Tuesday -- Taking a nap and going dancing.

What are you doing Saturday? Taking a nap and going dancing.

What are you doing Sunday evening? Taking a nap and then going dancing...

Kinda obvious. ;-)
ditto, except throw in a workout each day

[DWise1]

I also had one of my salsa leaders ask if I had a ballroom background - I was thinking lolz, you must not either or you wouldn't ask me that question! :D (I don't think it was a compliment either since 'ballroom' is hardly the look most salser@s are going for.)

I get that question a lot, too. I guess they're commenting on my frame, which ironically I learned in beginning salsa class.

Gee, all this time I thought it was a compliment. Well color me clueless once again!

[SPratt74]

Hee, people used to ask me that in clubs long before I had any dance training. Now that I've picked up the salsa thing I guess I could say yes! but I think I would feel weird describing myself that way. (I won't call myself an artist either though, even though I've been drawing and painting my entire life.)

Yeah it feels weird for me to say that I'm a dancer, but how else would you describe what I do lol? I mean I'm not a competitor yet or anything, but still... I do dance lol. And until I can find a better explanation, I'm sticking to that story lol!

SPratt, if it's only started happening since you started training they must be picking up on something real, which is cool. For me I think it speaks more to the general public's lack of insight into what dance training means. I also had one of my salsa leaders ask if I had a ballroom background - I was thinking lolz, you must not either or you wouldn't ask me that question! :D (I don't think it was a compliment either since 'ballroom' is hardly the look most salser@s are going for.)

As for the ugly feet - well, mine were ugly long before dancing came into my life. At least I have an excuse now. :)

Lol! I used to attend the clubs when I was younger of course, and my friends and I would dance. But of course we had no idea what we were doing, so you know no one ever said anything. Now, when my friends and I go out, it's fun cause people just love to stare and watch us. I thought at first they might get offended or scared off, so I was careful about what we did. But the more that I found out that they loved what we do, the more fun it became to dance in front of them to where I'd just get up and dance and not worry about the audience at all lol.

And just recently actually, we have eight new people that are going to start coming to the studio that I attend just cause they had seen us dance at a club. (Two of them are personal friends of mine though lol, so that doesn't really count lol.) So, it's really six people lol. But still that says a lot, because I think that people do want to learn how to dance, but it's just getting the courage to talk to you etc. before they will actually get on the dance floor and do it.

Oh and I wanted to add that the reason why I don't go and ask people to dance at the clubs if they are not in our group is because I don't want to you know ask a guy to dance and then have his girlfriend wanting to beat me up or something like that lol. Otherwise, I would have gone and asked these people, because you can tell that they are interested by how they watch you once you know they are watching you lol. It's different at a dance party than in a club though. I'll ask anyone at a dance party to dance whereas at a club I'm more careful lol.

[noobster]

i have quite a muscular body for a dancer, especially above the waist, but people ask me frequently anyway, 'aren't you a dancer?' considering i've been doing this only about 3 years, i'm still stunned every time i get the question.This is another thing I love about the salsa scene: the variety of bodies that can and do look wonderful on the floor. Many women who don't have stereotypically attractive or classically 'dancer-ish' bodies become amazing when they dance (if they dance well); sometimes I literally don't realize a woman is overweight or whatever until I see her standing still later in the evening.

It's something that never sat well with me about (e.g.) ballet dancers, that they are often forced to try to imitate a particular somatic ideal. Some companies are worse than others. The Alvin Ailey dancers have quite a variety of body types, all exquisite of course. I saw the Eifman dancers a couple of years ago and they looked positively ill.

[Shooshoo]

Since I can't believe I can dance, I tell everyone I can.

I also get quite enthusiastic when I start something new, so I'm convincing all the people I know that's it's a great outing (without eating, not too much smoke in the dance venues, etc), how it's a fun way to loose weight (for those having difficulties working out), etc

[dancewriter]

Unequivocally posture.:raisebro:

[fascination]

lol, and the subsequent, hobbling, limping and moaning

[latingal]

lol, and the subsequent, hobbling, limping and moaning

love it....nooow we're talking reality! *LOL*

[amanda-j]

Clothes. Definitely the clothes. Something about my wearing jazz pants and tight t-shirts gives people the idea that I dance. I wonder why. :roll: :wink:

Dont wear tight t-shirts with no bra! You will attract too much attention. I suggest a flowerly leo under denm faded jeans.

[SuzieQ]

When I first started taking a Pilates class, the teacher asked me if I danced because of the way I held my arms while stretching, etc. It really made me feel good because that's something I've worked hard on.

[SPratt74]

Dont wear tight t-shirts with no bra! You will attract too much attention.

Maybe that's what my problem was lol!!! :shock: ;) :p

[Keelzorz]

*bouncy bouncy bouncy*

Wait, what were we talking about?

;) :raisebro: :p

I've definatly been out shopping before and vetoed items to the effect of "that's just going to be really awkward to dance in". I figure if I'm dancing >3 nights a week, I need at least half my wardrobe to be danceable....am I really so crazy?

[bordertangoman]

Dont wear tight t-shirts with no bra! You will attract too much attention. I suggest a flowerly leo under denm faded jeans.

But if you're a bloke a white vest seems to imply that you are a professional dancer....... I have been told.

More of the shufffling gait and the stooped shoulders

Maybe its about having lots of ways to move (depending on mood, music etc.)

[samina]

Someone asks me....

What are you doing Tuesday -- Taking a nap and going dancing.

What are you doing Saturday? Taking a nap and going dancing.

What are you doing Sunday evening? Taking a nap and then going dancing...

Kinda obvious. ;-)

Ah!!! So I'm not the only nap-addict? As soon as I took up dancing I started napping on a regular basis so I could go out and take dance lessons, and practice dance afterwards, and go out dancing the rest of the time, and have energy for it all!

I don't know anyone else who naps on such a regular basis... unless their over 80! ;)

Samina

[Indiana_Jay]

*bouncy bouncy bouncy*
:uplaugh:

[caityrosey]

Yeah, definitely do this with pants--don't want something too heavy or not flexible enough.

[SPratt74]

Ah!!! So I'm not the only nap-addict? As soon as I took up dancing I started napping on a regular basis so I could go out and take dance lessons, and practice dance afterwards, and go out dancing the rest of the time, and have energy for it all!

I don't know anyone else who naps on such a regular basis... unless their over 80! ;)

Samina

I am the same way as you are. I usually have a lot of energy too, and it's so funny because everyone is laughing at me, because they think I'm sleeping all of the time now lol. But for me its work, dance, a few other things, and then in bed whenever I get the chance lol. ;)