A few months back several Dopers suggested that I take dance lessons. I hemmed, I hawed, I bristled, I said “Yeah, whatever, maybe, someday.”
Someday is today. The first lesson is in two weeks.
Ladies, you might want to consider investing in steel-toed dance shoes. Just in case.
Square, ballroom, tap, modern interpretive or ballet?
I signed up for what they call Social Ballroom. I have no idea what that is, but it works with my schedule. I figure that it’s probably generic enough that if I like it, I can try out some more specific styles. And at $78 for 6 lessons, it’s not like I’ll go broke trying it out.
That sounds like fun. I’ve been wanting to take some kind of ballroom dancing lessons. My husband even makes noises like he might actually agree to it…someday.
Please keep us posted. I’d love to hear how you like it.
I will definitely keep you posted.
I have no idea what to expect. How many others will be in the class, how hard will it be, do I have to wear special clothes – no clue. I’ll just go and be prepared for anything. I’m just glad it’s a beginner’s class.
Years ago I got (repeatedly) talked into going to Scottish folkdancing classes. It was fun, but they were definitely not classes. If you didn’t already know everything there was to know about Scottish folkdancing, you could be a serious danger to yourself and others.
Here’s what to expect:
Step #1: Put your left foot in.
Step #2: Put your left foot out.
Step #3: Put your left foot in.
Step #4: Shake it all about.
Homework: Explain the social ramifications resulting from the advent of the Electric Slide.
tdn, let me know how it goes. I’ve been thinking of trying something like that.
I will.
ChiefScott, is that really what it’s all about? If so, you’re just saved me 78 bucks.
I never wanted to be a dancer…till just now.
Heh…you just might find your next GF there, tdn.
Good Luck! 
Dung Beetle, you’re making me blush. And by blush, I mean horny.
I’m just going there to learn how to dance, and nothing else. If some amazing babe there just so happens to want to ravage my body, then I suppose it would be impolite to refuse her.
This is tdn we’re talking about, here. His next GF will stumble and land in his lap on the subway on his way to the dancing class.
Or he will sprain an ankle and the fresh out of school nurse will comment on his dancers physique.
I can offer a little advice. None of these are hard and fast rules, but they’ll probably make the experience more pleasant.
You don’t need any special clothes or shoes for a beginner social dance class. Comfortable slacks (not jeans) that allow a reasonable range of motion and shoes that don’t have rubber soles are probably best. Above all, do not wear shorts. There is no way for a guy to ballroom dance in shorts and not look like a dweeb. If you wear a wrist watch or any jewelry on your wrists or hands, take it off before you start. You’ll be thinking and learning about lots of different motions at once, and you don’t want to add “trying not to get my watch/ring stuck” to the list. If you wear glasses, it’s not a problem, but if you’ve got contacts as an option, go with them. Similarly, if you tend to keep stuff in your front pockets, especially the right pocket, take it out before you start.
Bring a bottle of water and, if you tend to sweat when nervous or physically active, a small towel or cloth to dry your hands/face/neck.
If it’s six classes, it’ll probably be an intro of of 3-6 dances. You’ll learn a little swing, a little waltz, and a little of some set of tango, foxtrot, rumba, cha-cha, salsa.
Have fun!
Thanks for the tips. I don’t wear any jewelry, but the pockets thing could be a problem. I will definitely follow your advice on water and a towel. Should I go ahead and buy dance shoes beforehand? I know some poeple who know where to get them, but they won’t be around much longer.
And thanks for the advice on shorts. Because of that and vacations, I might have to put off intermediate lessons until Fall.
ETA: Looks like it will be waltz, foxtrot, rumba, and swing.
Good. I’ve studied all three of those in classes which are sort of similar to what you’ll be taking. The gentleman and I’ve enjoyed them. All four of those dances are fairly easy. Swing was the hardest, and hardest on the knees.
The best advice I can offer you is relax, listen to your instructor, and don’t be a control freak. The only fellow I’ve seen get absolutely fed up and leave was a guy who didn’t seem to like being given instructions. I swear to you, instead of his waltz being the standard
1(step forward)
2 (step to the side) 3 (bring your feet together)
his waltz was simply
1
(nothing) (nothing)
It made him quite hard to follow.
What our instructor did was have people rotate around the room, so you danced with each person of the opposite sex in turn. That way, you got used to working with a variety of people. I’ve danced with good leads and bad ones, and a good lead is very nice to work with, indeed.
Oh yes, when it comes to leading, be definite and sure, even if you don’t know what you’re doing. There’s one guy in the classes I go to who’s so busy being a nice guy that his lead’s very indefinite and vague, more of a suggestion than a lead, which makes it harder for me to follow him. I kid the gentleman that this is one situation where I have to do whatever he says, even when I know it’s wrong. If he goes left, I go left, even when I know I should be going back.
Good luck and enjoy! It really is fun.
I’m guessing you’ll learn the waltz, foxtrot, and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’ Maybe just the first two, but if so you’ve been gyped!
I did a summer class like that back in high school. I’ve forgotten it all, but I remember it being a lot of fun. Go get 'em tiger
You’ll probably be fine given the class name, but my brother and his wife went to a dance class only to find out everyone there already knew how to dance–they just needed a place/excuse to do it! (it was/is a small town). The teacher tried but instructing them without boring eveyone else was difficult.
Brian
I’d wait and see how much you like it. Even if the people you know aren’t around, the dance instructor should be able to recommend a place to get shoes.
If you can’t totally empty your pockets, just make sure that pokey things like keys and pens are not in your front right pocket.
Remember to smile and look at your partner (not at your feet) 
I agree with iamthewalrus(:3=. The gentleman took lessons for a couple of years before he bought shoes, lost them in a fire, and hasn’t replaced them. It hasn’t made a difference. He uses ordinary men’s dress shoes.