Teach carlotta how to go clubbing

I think this is IMHO and not MPSIMS

I really like to dance but haven’t much outside of home since college, barring the occasional wedding.

My only interest is dancing, not drinking (well, maybe one drink), and certainly not meeting guys. However, my husband is not going to go dancing with me in a hundred years. I am hoping to get some girlfriends to go, but I’m a little shy since I’ve never danced in front of them either.

I’m really pretty uncool. In an area dominated by college students I’m a chubby midthirties stay-at home-mom.

How do you decide where to go, what to wear, and keep from feeling like a fool once you’re there? (Really nobody’s looking at me right? They’re all too busy worrying about whether anybody’s looking at them right?)
When I see movies with a writing mass of people on a dance floor together I think “I wanna do that”

Advice please?

I swear to you that when I first saw that title I was thinking “baby seals”.

Where to go: What kind of music do you like? What do you dance to? Look at the people there, find the regulars…are they scummy? If so, find somewhere else.
What to wear: Is very dependant on where you go. Black pants are always safe (either jeans or slacks, depending on the place) and a nice shirt can be slimming.

Feeling like a fool: Do you have rhythm? Then you can learn any dance that anyone else can do. Practice at home.

Yeah, people are looking at you. Some will look to laugh, some will look to admire, some are trying to see the mirror right behind you…but who cares? If you are there to have fun, have fun. There’s no reason to care what anyone else thinks.

~J

Damn it!
[Drops fully customised ‘Seal Clubber 2000’ with optional shiny nail attachment back in the box] :slight_smile:

Yeap, go as a group. You might find yourself in a shifty club and there’s safety in numbers. Also, go around the place and just hang around to check the place out. Clubs have different reputations and attract varying clientele.

And another hint - bring earplugs. There’s nothing worst than constant ringing in the ears after dancing at a drum and base party.

If some of your girlfriends are clubbers then ask them about which clubs have the best music, ect. And as for staring, well get your girlfriends opinions on your outfit before you go. So if you get stared at, it will only be for good reasons.

Well, at the very least try to be civil when rejecting the wave of men who will invariable hit on you at the clubs…
(or be labeled a ‘Cougar’ or worse, by the men who are puzzled by why you came to a dance club but don’t want to dance with men…)

I find closing my eyes for the first few songs I dance to helps with self-conciousness. Wow, that sentence was grammatically screwed up. ANd everyone else’s advice is good.

Step 1) Clothes - Get some “club” clothes. I usually wear a subtly cheesy shirt from Armani Exchange or Express for men and black pants or dark jeans. Nothing too crazy. Just something with a interesting pattern or color that flatters my manly physique.; (Either that or I just dress like a dirtbag in an old thermal-T). Depends where I’m going.

Depending on how confident you are, you want to dress in clothes that will either make you stand out or blend in. Either way, you don’t want to feel like you showed up in the wrong clothes. Basically, look at what people are wearing and buy stuff you think looks “cool”. If you can’t tell, bring a cool friend to the mall.
Step 2) Where to go out - Since ‘clubbing’ is new to you, you don’t want to start off with a warehouse rave or some high class lounge where you will immediately feel intimidated and out of place. Maybe start off with some place touristy like a Polly Esters or a local hotel bar.

What kind of music do you want? Classics 80s? Hip hop? Electronica? Frat-rock? Deciding this will help you decide where to go.

Check Citysearch.com or a Zagatts guide for ideas of places to go.

Step 3) Gather your posse - Women should generally go with at least one friend for safety reasons. Plus, it’s kind of boring hanging out by yourself in a club if you aren’t there to hook up. The more the merrier.
Step 4) Drinking - I recommend at least one drink otherwise you may feel as if that disco light is shining right on your head and every accidental nudge will feel as if someone just stuck their thumb up you ass (I really don’t like to be touched). A drink will help loosen you up. You want to stay in that window between “loosened up” and “sloppy”.

Step 5) Be Confident - No one is judging you. I’ve gone to bars with a pair of actual lobster claws on my hands with my “wingman” dressed as a lumberjack (don’t ask). If you act like you are supposed to be there, it wont matter if you are the only straight white man in the club or if you are wearing fake doctors scrubs (once again, long story).

Step 6) Have Fun

Ah! I remember when we used to hang out at the writing club. :smiley: