What do you think about ballroom dancing nowadays?

ME2010: What do you think about ballroom dancing nowadays?
I can’t dance to save my life, plain and simple. Or maybe I just allow myself to believe that. I once embarrassed myself in elementary school at the prom and never danced again. My girlfriend on the other hand, loves to dance. Mostly the bump n grind type of stuff, but also slow dancing. I never want to go on the dance floor with her because she wants to push me to do dances and stuff that I never tried before where people look at me funny and it gets her kinda sad that I don’t want to dance. Now, she wants to go to the homecoming dance at my college and I’ve been secretly taking ballroom dancing classes that are being offered here. I know it’s not the same as grinding on each other and everything but I figure there will be at least one slow song to dance too. But I also wanted to know what people think about ballroom dancing nowadays. Is it enjoyable still, and do you think my girlfriend will be happy to see that I’m finally not being a wall flower and actually pulling her to dance?

Answers and Views:

Answer by W W D
I’d be embarrassed to admit how much I’ve spent on ballroom lessons, and if you take enough Latin lessons you’ll find it’ll train you into being the best in the club at “grinding.” There may be an awkward time since you’ve taken limited lessons, but at some point, your girlfriend will love it.

Answer by snowflake
Well, you asked a ballroom dancer. I dance almost every day, and I can’t imagine my life without it. I dance Latin ballroom as well.

When I was younger and didn’t dance ballroom I found it very attractive if a guy knew the “real” way to slow dance. I think she will be pleasantly surprised. But be careful here – don’t push her, she might be just as intimidated with ballroom as you were with the whole dancing thing.

I used to be doing OK at clubs in terms of dancing before I started ballroom. Not bad, but not great either. Now if I go to a club I have to make sure I use only 10% of my range of movement or else people will be staring at me.

Answer by Gorme
I think your girlfriend will be very proud that you took the time to improve yourself and to be able to enjoy an activity together. Because you took some classes on how to lead a woman and how to react to a woman’s moves that is different than what you expected, you will find yourself more capable of imitating whatever styles your girlfriend decides to do.

I find ballroom to be very enjoyable. Unfortunately, I do not see this sentiment shared among others in my age range (20-30). It is really unfortunate. There’s so many possible ways for two people to express and enjoy themselves beyond bumping and grinding.

Keep taking these lessons after your homecoming dance. The two of you may not share the same passion for the same type of dance, but she will be proud that you are trying.