Announce that you’ve started to date a dancer, and you’re likely to get high-fives from your locker room friends or juicy detail-requests from your shopping entourage. And, my own biases aside, what’s not to like? Ballroom dancers are often in great shape, know how to move their bodies in all kinds of sexy ways, and have a wonderful artistic streak, not to mention great fashion sense. But it’s not all romantic days and steamy nights.
Don’t get me wrong, when you date a dancer, it can be awesome fun (again, completely self-serving here). But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t carry some unique challenges, especially when you are just getting to know each other.
Get used to working around their schedule.
Most professional dancers are busiest in the evening, when everyone else comes to a studio to take lessons, or to a theatre to watch them strut their stuff. Even social dancers will be reluctant to cancel their club nights to hang out with their non-dancing partner. When you date a dancer, it means weekends and lunch dates might be the only time you get to see much of each other. They aren’t avoiding you - they’re just really really busy.
Share the cost of dating more.
A tough reality when you date a dancer is that, despite the glamorous outfits, most dancers aren’t exactly rolling in cash. Assuming they’ll actually let you - maybe even if they won’t - offer to pay for things like meals and theatre tickets. Or, be like my fiancée and sneakily pay for things without telling your partner (because he feels manly paying for everything even if he can’t afford it :))
Curb your jealousy.
If you date a dancer, understand they will be dancing, sometimes quite closely, with other people. That’s part of their job, or at least what makes the dance fun. Despite appearances, it does not mean your relationship is in trouble. In fact, it might be a good sign - they trust you enough to dance full-out without worrying about you getting upset! Prove yourself worthy of that trust, because confidence is sexy.
Be prepared to dance a bit yourself!
When you decide to date a dancer, consider trying a few dance steps yourself. Ballroom dancers love having a romantic partner they can also dance with sometimes. And by the way, they don’t expect you to be as good as them - just make an honest effort to learn, and be prepared to laugh at your (inevitable) mistakes.
Sources:
18 Things You Should Know Before Dating a Dancer
Love and Swing (2): Dancing and Non-dancing Significant Others
About the Author
Ian Crewe has been dancing ballroom for over 18 years, and has a Licentiate in American smooth and rhythm. His passion for dance and his endless seeking for ways to reach new audiences eventually led him to blogging and the World Wide Web. Ian currently teaches at the Joy of Dance Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada. Click here to see Ian’s current teaching schedule.