Day 8 - Hobby Time

I started learning to dance a couple years ago. My grandpa teased me 'cause I couldn't dance, so I learned. I'll write an account of my experience for anyone considering this option.

I started with ballroom. Foxtrot, waltz, polka, etc. Easy, met some girls that way. Gets old quicker than a crackhead on the carousel. Worth it if you want to be a good, well rounded dancer.

Then I tried swing dancing and salsa. These are way more exciting, but most girls have no idea how to dance swing or salsa. Salsa: If your white, you will be mocked by minorities until competent. Swing: for jazzy styles like East coast, West coast, Charleston, Lindy hop; be prepared for high MF ratios in classes. Chicks do not dig jazz, for the most part. I can't get enough jazz, so I powered through anyway.

Took a semester of tango. Very sophisticated, technical. This one is great because it's not so much about showing off (I'm looking at you, salsa) and this leaves less distraction from the connection between partners. For most people it takes a couple years just to achieve basic competence. I'll save that one for when I have a committed partner. This one is best for already married couples trying to maintain connection, IMO. Not the best for meeting new people.

Country Swing Dancing is really fun, it's show-offy but it works for rock shows, jazz, bluegrass, country. Not so much for the electronic music clubs though.

The best part is you can grab random girls that don't know what they're doing and make them look like they do. And you can have this attitude like "haha city girls can't dance". Never hurts to be the best dancer in the bar, but it CAN hurt to be the ONLY dancer in the bar. (got in a fight last weekend at a douchy bar. Wrigleyville, Chicago. Started 'cause I was the only guy dancing, along with any attention comes negative attention). Took a girl home that night 'cause the guy she came with had lame moves. He was pissed. Surprised he didn't punch me too.

My dancing skills are responsible for every girl I've had since I learned. Which admittedly isn't too many... but still.

I'd like to invite anyone who's had much luck with just grabbing a girl, hauling her to the dance floor, dance for a while, make out a bit, then something like "let's go back to your place", to discuss nuances to that approach.

One of the most important things I've learned recently is: Don't try to dance with girls who are already on the dance floor. They tend to look at you like you're diseased, then all the others see you get rejected and they follow suit. The trick is to start a conversation back at the bar or wherever, then when the band starts an upbeat song: "Hey, let's dance! Take my hand." (never say "care to dance?" or "do you want to dance?" like it's a question they can opt to say no to) That way you're never on display looking for something and not getting it.

TL DR: Learn Country Swing Dancing, use it for rock shows. i.e. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Vj7KapLVI