Ballroom dancing can be an wonderful opportunity or a bitter disappointment for the single person - it all depends on their mindset.
Take a moment to ask yourself, 'do I have any negative beliefs about what ballroom dancers are like? Are there any assumptions I have about what happens at a sweaty dance hall?'
Fact is, the world of ballroom dancing is very different from the world we normally live in. And while I could just list each dance myth and explain why it's false, it's more fun to tell you a few stories to put it in perspective:
In case you didn't spot them, these are the main assumptions that non-dancers make about romance on the dance floor:
- If you ballroom dance, it's probably an excuse to hit on someone.
- If others dress provocatively, they're looking to hook up.
- If your b/f or g/f starts dancing with another person, they're thinking about cheating on you.
I'm not saying there aren't people who would take advantage of other dancers. And there's certainly nothing wrong with looking for a one-night stand. But the reality is, most people dance simply because they LIKE to.
You see, there are different social norms at play on the ballroom dance floor. Dancing closely with someone for example, even if they came with a romantic partner, is just part of enjoying a dance together. Once it's done, it's you're off to find someone else.
And yes, some people might dress 'slutty', but it's far more likely they're just confident and like the attention, NOT that they're looking to take someone home for the night.
All that said, ballroom dancing is still one of the best ways to meet and start romantic entanglements. Next time, we'll continue by looking at the difference between someone showing true interest, and just having fun.