Sports & recreation

Why are people afraid to ballroom dance

Sports & recreation

Posted by: typhoon

19th Apr 2011 07:53pm

Ballroom dancing seems to be a social pursuit that many people are loath to experience, to their detriment and has lost popularity to what it once was. It appears that ballroom dancing is too hard for many to do; or now it is not socially acceptable as a pursuit.Where else do you get the chance to have a male to run their hands over a woman and when the music stops, she thanks him. People have lost the art of graceful dancing and prefer drunken gyrations at a night club. No longer do many hold their partner when they dance or even dance with a partner.To be able to dance ballroom is to really dance so why are people afraid of it?

Comments 25

Con D. Oriano
  • 14th Jul 2022 08:43pm

People are scared?
I thought they just werent interested and its not a big part of the culture anymore.

In the past they had school dances where they teach those steps etc. but now even formals and debs just get a dj to play instead and have a boogie.

Anonymous
  • 24th Feb 2014 08:40pm

Most people don't want to look amateur at their first go of anything. As a guitar teacher I get this all the time, but when I went out with someone who was an advanced Ceroc dancer I was reminded of what being a newbie was like. I figured I was going to be shown up anyway. So I went ahead with it, and I still don't get enough practise, but I enjoy any progress I make.

Anonymous
  • 16th Feb 2014 09:29pm

I believe that we are afraid to ballroom dance due to the nerves that it could cause, one wrong move could mean embarrassment. At school we are tought how to ballroom dance, but i know that I have never used it. I never used it because no one else did it

amar93
  • 19th Jul 2012 07:28am

coz you can break a leg

jerseycow6
  • 21st Jun 2012 08:06pm

DANCE LOVER: I ALWAYS ENJOYED DANCING EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT AT DIFFERENT TOWNS AROUND MY AREA.DANCING IS EXCELLENT EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BACK TROUBLE. IT IS WELL WORTH HAVING A TRY AT IT.

thedarkness
  • 24th Apr 2012 03:37am

For me im afraid of looking silly.
Its not as mechanic as just dance because you need to dance with emotion.

Anonymous
  • 5th Apr 2012 01:08pm

I guess it is the same as public speaking. You are being watched by everyone one in the room and to some people they would rather die than have this happen.
My suggestion - dont ballroom dance.. just shuffle!

typhoon
  • 23rd Apr 2012 07:36pm

When you step onto the floor with the right person in your arms then no one else matters whilst the music is playing. two people moving as one to the music and you are in your own world. Just shuffling does not mean that you won't be watched by others but it won't be to admire your dancing.

Ganic12
  • 5th Apr 2012 12:22am

It looks a very old fashioned but this is still art dancing.Anyone who knows to dance will tell you that is real enjoyment.

ozycash
  • 17th Mar 2012 01:37am

people are not afraid, they just dont want to do it!
why do you ask stupid questions

Anonymous
  • 26th Jan 2012 06:00am

Some people just have two left feet :(

Shez
  • 9th Nov 2011 02:07pm

It is beautiful to watch and love it when I try and I think it is a bit more poular since The dancing with the stars show. I have considered ballroom dancing as my uncle does it but it so expensive and with 4 kids we are not sure we will.

Fiona_13
  • 14th Oct 2011 05:33pm

I'd like to learn how to dance one day. I've always hated dancing because I don't know how to dance. And even the 'night club' dancing I don't know how to do, so one day when I have the money I hope to learn dances that have steps to them. And possibly dance in public or at friends parties.

TsarinaFai
  • 27th Sep 2011 12:15pm

I've done ballroom dancing for 3 years. It really is a beautiful sport. I've found more guys want to learn than girls do.

Anonymous
  • 12th Aug 2011 06:02pm

I'd love to take up Ballroom dancing. Such beautiful dresses and classy dancing. Just wish I could convice my boyfriend to take it up with me. I'm always trying to find excerise activities will could do together. I live in a country town though and I am not sure where to find an organization.

reet57
  • 18th May 2011 10:11pm

My son did ballroom dancing for 6 years and ended up going to the nationals. He and his partner came first in one of the dances even though it was "E Grade". His self esteem and confidence just soared. He was a peer leader at school and mentored a young boy doing jazz, who was being picked on ( all boys school).At the end of his schooling one of the teachers mentioned how interest in things such as dancing, drama and debating had taken off, compared to the usual boys sports. I'm glad to know he had a hand in that!

Jeska
  • 17th May 2011 06:05pm

i am 28 and i learned a little ballroom dancing leading up to my school ball for year 11&12. i loved it and was good but sadly i now have a bad hip and would find it hard to keep up.
maybe people are afraid of the intamacy of being close to somebody, looking into their eyes and moving gracefully in time with them with out it being sexual.... even though it can be very sexy

typhoon
  • 17th May 2011 09:35pm
i am 28 and i learned a little ballroom dancing leading up to my school ball for year 11&12. i loved it and was good but sadly i now have a bad hip and would find it hard to keep up.
maybe...

Don't let the hip slow you down, it is suprising how many dance with injuries or imperfect bodies.Had my back operated 19 years ago for prolapse of the spine,have trouble with my neck, arthritis in my big toe and i still dance. my back and spine have strengthened up because of the dancing.I have danced where there are 80 year olds on the floor and i think that the dancing keeps them young. When i dance, any pain, the imperfect body matters not and for a while nothing else matters but my partner,the music and the dance.

Lani6
  • 17th May 2011 06:00pm

I do agree that 'drunken gyrations' require very little talent, as opposed to ballroom dancing! I would love to learn ballroom dancing, but I think part of the problem is finding the right partner. I attended a class a few years ago, and they had us on partner rotation the whole night. If I actually had found a partner I was dance-compatible with, I really wouldn't have known it as we were on rotation constantly :( I don't even think I'm dance-compatible with my boyfriend haha! Some people would definately be put off going to classes if they didn't have a partner. But there really isn't enough publicity, I only have a vague idea of any classes in my area. If it was promoted as a social activity, I'm sure more people would participate.

jen
  • 17th May 2011 03:29pm

If only I could, I just have to try and persuade my husband!!! I think its so beautiful, just wish I had the courage to learn and surprise him haha

DAPHNE
  • 17th May 2011 06:11am

All it needs is more exposure, just like any other 'sport'. I myself when young loved to go to the big halls and watch it until a girlfriend got me amongst all the people. After that first dance, we went 3 times a week to learn more and enjoy ourselves.
TV should embrace it more like Channel 7 does where we can see the celebrities having so much fun but learning in such a short time how beautiful dancing can be and they all want to continue with it after the Show series has ended.
I took some private dancing lessons and within a short time, my teacher and I were in the first stages of competition.
Dancing is fun and very sensual; lets show some Latin American dancing more often on TV and it will whet the appetite of the young to become involved.
The media and TV stations should introduce ballroom dancing as an incentive to keeping fit, vibrant, sexy and young.

anna
  • 19th Apr 2011 09:25pm

Ballroom Dancing is so beautiful, sadly I have not the grace or balance to participate but I truly love watching for hours on end. Thank you!

dazza1946
  • 17th May 2011 07:01pm
Ever heard of 2 left feet or 2 right feet? I have them, but I love watching and enjoying everybody who can.

I have taught those that think they have two left feet. I recall one guy who we nicknamed steel caps as we reckoned that the girls should have been wearing steel caps when dancing with him he was that bad but he turned out to be a beautiful dancer. DONT put yourself down. I know you can do it if you really want. Making excuses isthe easy way out, having a go is the hard part but believe me you will not regret it

anna
  • 17th May 2011 06:55pm
I am surprised to hear you say you do not have the balance or grace to do ballroom dancing. Really it it not unlike walking to start off with. Its simply forward and backward steps and side steps....

Ever heard of 2 left feet or 2 right feet? I have them, but I love watching and enjoying everybody who can.

dazza1946
  • 17th May 2011 06:40pm
Ballroom Dancing is so beautiful, sadly I have not the grace or balance to participate but I truly love watching for hours on end. Thank you!

I am surprised to hear you say you do not have the balance or grace to do ballroom dancing. Really it it not unlike walking to start off with. Its simply forward and backward steps and side steps. Too many people think about dancing and what they think it is. Start with the basics and it grows on you from there. Give it a go , you will be surprised

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