Macho (Dancing) Men

[pygmalion]

So here's an observation for you. Out there, at least in American society, there's this perception that dancing is for girls or women, and many places that you go are follow-heavy, big time. There's even a stereotype out there about guys in certain dance disciplines being gay or "sissies." We've talked abut that in other threads.

So what's the deal with country and western dance? That appears to be something completely different. At least in my observation, C&W dancing men have this really positive image -- big, macho, tight-jean wearing, dancing cowboys.

So what's the difference?

[cocodrilo]

Dunno 'bout CW, Pygmalion, but line dancing looks pretty sissy to me, compared to hip-hop, salsa or some forms of modern dance...

[motardmom]

I just wonder what testosterone-charged, chick-lovin' man would choose C&W over Salsa? It's beyond me. Salsa is so..... hot! Why wouldn't a man want to salsa with a beautiful woman? It's the perfect excuse to appreciate the feminine beauty in close proximity and some contact with full permission. You would think they'd be knocking down the doors, standing in line....

Some men just don't have a clue. :roll:

[pygmalion]

Dunno 'bout CW, Pygmalion, but line dancing looks pretty sissy to me, compared to hip-hop, salsa or some forms of modern dance...

Uh-oh. Sounds like a challenge to me. :roll: :wink:

[mhgroove]

I just wonder what testosterone-charged, chick-lovin' man would choose C&W over Salsa? It's beyond me. Salsa is so..... hot! Why wouldn't a man want to salsa with a beautiful woman? It's the perfect excuse to appreciate the feminine beauty in close proximity and some contact with full permission. You would think they'd be knocking down the doors, standing in line....

Some men just don't have a clue. :roll:


Thank you, Motardmom...I so agree! That's one of reasons I love dancing salsa. :D :D :D

[DWise1]

Dunno 'bout CW, Pygmalion, but line dancing looks pretty sissy to me, compared to hip-hop, salsa or some forms of modern dance...
You just reminded me of one line dance we were taught. Called "The Cowboy". It had a hip wiggle in it.

[pygmalion]

And as much as I hate to admit it, I've spent a fair number of hours ogling those tight-jean wearing cowboys while they line dance. Nothing sissy about it. Can you say ,"real man?" :wink: :lol:

[tacad]

(Hmmm. Now where did I put those tight jeans and cowboy hat?)

tacad rummaging frantically through his closet

[DWise1]

Oh darn it! I've been slimming down (Pilates) so my jeans fit me a bit looser than before. And you can already see what my hat looks like. Guess a tam won't cut it. Nor a kilt.

Hey, they don't say which country, now do they? [grin]

----------------------------------
From The Devil's Brigade, the scene where Montana lumberjacks are hassling Richard Dawson in his uniform kilt and his date (one of Mudd's Women, the brunette):
Lumberjack: Who does what to whom?
Dawson: It's optional, mate.

[cocodrilo]

Dunno 'bout CW, Pygmalion, but line dancing looks pretty sissy to me, compared to hip-hop, salsa or some forms of modern dance...

Uh-oh. Sounds like a challenge to me. :roll: :wink:
Now, don't get me wrong, I used to go out with a cowboy! What a he-man! He didn't engage in any dancing, although he played a mean guitar! I still think cowboys are sexy, but PUHLEEZ, no line dancing. Reminds me of that silly folk dancing they taught us in gradeschool. :evil:

[pygmalion]

LOL. I know what you mean. I learned square dancing in grade school. Arrrrgh!!! :evil: But some folks really love it. *shrug*

[Vince A]

Although I rarely do line dancing anymore, we do sometimes get an oldie song that you just have to line dance to.

As far as line dancing being a "sissy" dance . . . I would challenge many of you to go try to do the "Cowboy Hip Hop line dance. Or Mambo #5, or the one that I cannot think of right now that has 136 steps to it!

Line dance is responsible for - especially those many dancers that now compete - learning many of the basic footwork patterns . . . jazz squares, kick-ball-changes for example, and thousands more.

I'm not saying that this is where those steps came from, but only saying that's where many of us learned them.

As far as C&W dancing . . . I LOVE IT . . . the people are great, the music is great, and the clothes are great. I still have and wear Wranglers at special dances, but many times you can catch me at a C&W dance wearing baggy painter jeans and my Evening Star dance boots.

[Mt2stepper]

I think a lot of younger people start out thinking that doing a real dance is sissy for guys. Or that's the excuse they give. In alot of cases its the fear of doing something that the rest of the "crowd" might think is silly. Guys don't want to get ribbed by their buds. I know that at most of the places I dance, most of the men are in their 40's or older with a few in their 30's and very few younger then that. I didn't take up real dancing until I was in my late 30's because honestly, I thought it would be embarrassing. So maybe the problem is more with confidence?

[Vince A]

Then there are the few who don't care what "the crowd thinks," and we go beyond the norm, and begin dancing at a very early age. I danced at an early age - the influence from my NY State Jitterbug Dance Champion Mom!

My only regret is not taking it serious enough at that early age.

This thread takes me back to Jeremy's ballet-dancing son . . . I've added him to my prayers, so that he is given the strength needed to outshine those (the crowd) who make uncalled-for jealous remarks toward him and his dancing.

[dTas]

basic C&W dancing is quite easy, someone can pick it up and go with it in one evening. line dancing, two-step, country waltz... for the most part do not involve a lot of discipline in frame, lead, step, balance, etc... that's why people can do country drunk. :?

don't get me wrong... the competative edge of C&W is just as demanding as ballroom. in fact some C&W competators either used to be, currently are, or get training from ballroom dancers/coaches. 8)

its just the demands of C&W dancing aren't as great as the other partner dances. Salsa involves a lot of "latin" training, body isolations, cuban motion, quick rhythm and reflexes, etc... C&W dancing does not have the same demands. :roll:

thus it is easier to be a "real guy" when doing country. you don't have to look like a fool trying to look "rhythmic". you just have to dress good. :D

[cocodrilo]

thus it is easier to be a "real guy" when doing country. you don't have to look like a fool trying to look "rhythmic". you just have to dress good. :D
You have a point! Until a gringo really gets the hang of salsa, he looks pretty silly! Also about attire- as Vince said, the clothes are cool and I think cowboy wear, boots, the hat, is pretty sexy. On the other hand, I personally don't care for the ballroom latin dance guys with shirt open down to the navel, exposing chest hair a la circa 1970s John Travolta. Yuck!

[pygmalion]

Amen. The foaming chest hair has gotta go. Umm. Can anyone say wax, guys? :roll: :lol:

[cocodrilo]

Amen. The foaming chest hair has gotta go. Umm. Can anyone say wax, guys? :roll: :lol:
I don't mind the chest hair, it's just that whole fashion idea making a statement like "Look, chicks, I've GOT chest hair!" :lol:

[pygmalion]

I don't mind chest hair, per se. Just the idea of those split-to-the-waist tight shirts that men sometimes wear bulging with hair makes me want to hurl.

[cocodrilo]

I don't mind chest hair, per se. Just the idea of those split-to-the-waist tight shirts that men sometimes wear bulging with hair makes me want to hurl.
:lol: me too!

[Vince A]

OK, let's be fair . . . don't forget those women with bulging chest hair . . . *gag*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wink:

[pygmalion]

Ew! I'm getting a visual. :lol: :lol:

[Sabor]

OK, let's be fair . . . don't forget those women with bulging chest hair . . . *gag*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wink:

:x .. now dont u get me started on hairy women stories Vince! :lol:

[Vince A]

OK, let's be fair . . . don't forget those women with bulging chest hair . . . *gag*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wink:

:x .. now dont u get me started on hairy women stories Vince! :lol:
Are they good or bad stories? :shock:

[Swingolder]

I don't mind chest hair, per se. Just the idea of those split-to-the-waist tight shirts that men sometimes wear bulging with hair makes me want to hurl.
Exactly!!!

[Sabor]

OK, let's be fair . . . don't forget those women with bulging chest hair . . . *gag*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wink:

:x .. now dont u get me started on hairy women stories Vince! :lol:
Are they good or bad stories? :shock:

very bad for me & very funny for u.. lol

[Vince A]

very bad for me & very funny for u.. lol

Except they remind of a date or two that I had with this one Russian woman . . . loved her to pieces, but everytime I showed up at her door . . . I found myself bringing along my electric razor with me!!!!!!!!! :o

[Phil Owl]

LOL. I know what you mean. I learned square dancing in grade school. Arrrrgh!!! :evil: But some folks really love it. *shrug*

Ahhh, the memory of being forced to do square dancing in middle school - YIKES! Hated it so violently, it was just all so corny to me. Little did I suspect I'd grow to love partner dancing years later.Still can't stand line or square dancing though.

[Lofland]

just wonder what testosterone-charged, chick-lovin' man would choose C&W over Salsa? It's beyond me. Salsa is so..... hot! Why wouldn't a man want to salsa with a beautiful woman? It's the perfect excuse to appreciate the feminine beauty in close proximity and some contact with full permission. You would think they'd be knocking down the doors, standing in line....

Some men just don't have a clue.

I live in Texas-- specifically, Austin. I love salsa. I take four to six hours of salsa lessons every week in addition to going to clubs once a week. It is by far the most beautiful partner dance, IMO. We have a small but growing salsa community. However, here, as in many parts of the US, there are TEN TIMES more people dancing C&W than salsa almost every night of the week, including ten times as many beautiful women. I went to one of the smaller honkytonks in town last Thursday night (The Broken Spoke, for those who know Austin). I was amazed at how many younger women without dates were there (part of the reason is the 50,000-enrollment University of Texas, of course). There was also a lower male-femal ratio than in the salsa clubs. As for physical contact, some people do two-step cheek-to-cheek and chest-to-chest. Any hip-hop club has far more bumping and grinding than any salsa or C&W club, if that's what you're after.

dTas made some great points about C&W dancing. I learned to two-step well enough to get along in just two one-hour private lessons. The basic two-step is easy enough that you can have a conversation with your partner while you do it. From what I've seen after a few visits to honkytonks, the standards of dancing are just a lot lower, so women are easier to please. Most of the dancers never had studio classes, so if you have some training in maintaining a frame and leading properly, you look really good. I have several male friends who are interested in learning salsa after seeing some superb local dancers. They are single and interested in meeting women. I'm telling them to learn two-step right now, so they can go out to bars next week and have fun dancing while they start down the longer road to mastering salsa.

[cocodrilo]

You definitely have a point there, Lofland. I have brought a lot of guys to my instructor's lessons to observe and they admit, gee that's a HOT dance, but it's gonna take me forever to learn it, and it usually does. A few of the guys ended up taking lessons only to drop out after six months or so. They told me they just weren't getting the hang of it or they "couldn't move like that"(the hip thing!). It takes a lot of dedication and practice to learn to dance salsa properly (and look good doing it!).

[Lofland]

yes Cocodrilo, so I hope I eventually get the appreciation from women that I deserve after spending so much time and money to improve my Latin hip motion :)

[Flat Shoes]

Amen. The foaming chest hair has gotta go. Umm. Can anyone say wax, guys? :roll: :lol:

Last time I checked, I was still straight. So no waxing for me :!: 8) :lol:

[balletblueyes]

Dunno 'bout CW, Pygmalion, but line dancing looks pretty sissy to me, compared to hip-hop, salsa or some forms of modern dance...
I agree :?

[pygmalion]

Amen. The foaming chest hair has gotta go. Umm. Can anyone say wax, guys? :roll: :lol:

Last time I checked, I was still straight. So no waxing for me :!: 8) :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[balletblueyes]

I just wonder what testosterone-charged, chick-lovin' man would choose C&W over Salsa? It's beyond me. Salsa is so..... hot! Why wouldn't a man want to salsa with a beautiful woman? It's the perfect excuse to appreciate the feminine beauty in close proximity and some contact with full permission. You would think they'd be knocking down the doors, standing in line....

Some men just don't have a clue. :roll:
I agree with that too!!! :kissme:

[pygmalion]

You guys (ladies) better be glad that C&W is our slowest forum. Or else you'd have a bunch of big ol' cowboys after you for challenging their masculinity. :wink: :lol: