Why do people like to dance?

I have a hunch that 'yourdealer' is big on dancing. A regular Billy Elliot.

I should start using emoticons, even though they bug me.

What I'm saying is, I was joking about 'yourdealer' being into dancing. I think he/she (although I suspect I know which sex) has no interest in anything other than being a wise-ass.

It's up to you to decide what you want to get out of dancing. Some people go clubbing for the social aspect, some people go because they can't crank up their music in their apartment, some go to show off their dancing skills, some go to pick up chicks, some go to discover new music, some go to check out the DJ and some go for any combination of the above reasons.

If you've ever seen a club kid who can really dance, you know his passion for it runs just as deep as any ballerina or aerobics junkie.

if you dance you risk doing a number of things

1. Look like a complete tit

2. Be a utter Gim boy

3. Or somehow pull off some street credability

As i said you would look like a Vodka Soaked Potataoe Sales man

or a Plank

But something wierd will draw you into to dance in to doom

Nothing you can do to resist

But music these days is impossible to dance to so you can’t win and must copy the rest of the fools on the dance floor in a vain attempt to fit in

you know how some people like to be alone after a long week? or watch a movie? or drink? or whatever else to relax and unwhine? well my outlet is dancing. it is an expression of myself. i have all this energy stored up in me and i want to let it all out by dancing. there is nothing else in the entire world that i would rather do then dance. if you look good dancing then most of the times you like to dance. whenever there is a beat i am dancing – my car, my apartment, the swimming pool, wherever – it doesn’t matter. dancing is my soul.

every thought yopu think comes out of your mind, if u think u look ridioculous danzing then u will. be careful with your thoughts.

this girl that speaks of her idols and imagines them while she dances i think she likes to sell her image. dont dance for no one. dance for yourself or for the party. sometimes i have overdance. then im ridiculous. but i insist its not about dancing. is about yourself. yourself as your mind. the way you work thw things u think and teh way u feel. as u dance those things become more visible . some people dance like sex machines some like wanting to be liked. why do people dance? well i think sometimes somethings are not enough to get u out. why? because they feel like it. everyone feels it different.

Hi,

I think its a damn good question.  Why do people dance?  My experiences with dancing have been really difficult.  I wasnt the type of cute carefree kid that you see dancing all crazy at weddings or the grocery store, whatever… that just wasnt me.  My mother always referred to me as ”uncoordinated”.  I was extremely shy.

When I was seven I took a beginner jazz class after school, and even though I tried really hard to be serious about it, I was put in the goofy group almost immediately.  It was awful since my best friend got put in the “advanced” group, and the teacher didnt even try to work with us after that. 

Fast forward to 1991, in grade six I learned to do the ‘running man’ and some other hip hop type moves at parties, and I learned how to slow dance.. which I found required delightfully little skill. hah.   But that was about the extent of it.  I remember before my 12th birthday party begging some of my girlfriends to teach me how to dance.  We locked ourselves in the den for a couple of hours and they tried to show me some cool moves.. oh how they tried.  Alas… I was just not getting it.  It was sad!

When I was 15 I started going to raves and clubs.  I still remember my first e kicking in as I stood in the gyrating crowd.  Whenever I dropped ecstacy something in me just came to life and I could dance for like 6 hours at a time.  Friends and other kids would always compliment me, but who knows, they were all high at the time as well. haha   

Since I stopped doing drugs I just dont have the heart to dance.  Im not a depressed person per say.. but when it comes to moving my body to music there is something frozen about me and its always been there.  Lately, Im taking in mental health and addictions counselling, As part of my placement Im working at a drop in center for people with mental illnesses, and every friday night there is a dance. 

Its been a real struggle for me to participate in this dance.  It took about 5 weeks for me to even attempt it because of my anxiety about being on a dance floor.  One of the members in particular teases me incessantly about my dancing… She says I look like a dead horse that she might have to take out back and shoot.  LOL!  While this is funny… its also painful. 

The numb, heavy slowness that I feel when I want to move to a beat is the truth of what I feel inside.  My intelligent mind runs circles around some people, but the way my body moves betrays me by showing everyone the state of my heart and self esteem.  I dont feel good about myself.

Its difficult to go through life having a body and mind that are so at odds with eachother.  Im working really hard to discover the source of this frozen feeling and eradicate it using emdr, and also Ive been trying to talk a friend of mine into taking salsa lessons with me this summer, so well see how that goes. 

In general, I think that dancing is all about how happy, excitable, at peace, and able to let go and move and celebrate with the flow of life I am.  I think that people who can dance have qualities that can help them get through anything- especially flexibility and an upbeat personality.  For me, its a much bigger issue than just something to do at a club.  Dancing is a celebration of our life.         

Shall We… Dance?
by
David Boyne

Why do people dance?

I’ve been told that people dance to express themselves.

I could be wrong, but in all my many observations of people dancing in all kinds of settings, what they are expressing seems to always be one of two messages.

The first, and by far most common message people use dance to express is: I’m thinking what it would be like to have sexual intercourse with you.

Every time I’m in a crowded nightclub where there is dancing going on, I look around. Every person I see dancing is expressing this: I’m thinking what it would be like to have sexual intercourse with you. And you. And you. And you.

I’ve been to weddings, and I’ve watched the veteran married couples dancing. They are expressing this: I know what it’s like to have sexual intercourse with you. And still, I’m here, dancing with you. And when the bride and groom dance they are usually expressing this: Ha! All of them say you never have sexual intercourse after marriage, but I, we, are going to prove them wrong. Right? Honey?

I’ve watched people dancing ballet. They are expressing this: I’m thinking of what it would be like to have sexual intercourse with you, but feel the urge to run away. But when I run away, I feel the urge to stop, and turn, and come close to you again, and think about what it would be like to have sexual intercourse with you. But then I run away…

I’ve watched old movies of popular dancers from other eras. When Fred Astaire dances with a woman it is only a more chaste and stylized expression of the same thing: I’m thinking what it would be like if we got married, and then had sexual intercourse. Off-screen.

I’ve watched modern popular dancers. They dance to express this: I’m thinking about having sexual intercourse… with me. And so are you.

Rappers, at least the West Coast school of rappers that I’m more familiar with, don’t dance as much as posture. Yet their posturing expresses the same message in a supremely direct style: Fuck you. Fuck them. Fuck me.

Why are we alive?

I don’t know why. I could be wrong, but I’m inclined to believe that anyone who claims they know why we are alive should be jailed, put under a 24-hour suicide watch, and not allowed access to any technology of mass communication.

Had this been done after Adolf Hitler published Mein Kampf (in which he announced that he knew exactly why everyone was alive and that when he got out of jail he was going to do a lot about it) students would not have to watch old newsreel footage on the History Channel of Adolf dancing his victory jig, in which he clearly expressed this: I have fucked you all!

History is filled (as our daily newspapers, websites and television programs now are) with many people who have claimed to know the meaning of life, to know why we are all here. That meaning, that reason why we are all here, is always one of three things: to give them our money, to be their slaves, or to be their cannon fodder.

I say, to hell with all of them. I would express that in dance, but I don’t know how.

In fact, in all my many observations of people dancing in all kinds of settings I’ve yet to witness someone using dance to express anger.

So, why are we alive?

I could be wrong, but I believe a good answer to this simple question can be found in the second of the two messages that I’ve observed people in all kinds of settings using dance to express: joy.

If you stop and think about it, the emotion of joy is ridiculous.

Being alive is a lucky accident that has happened to each of us. It may be the only thing we all have in common.

Being free to move our bodies in any way that strikes our fancy is also a lucky accident we’ve done nothing to deserve.

Our lives, or our mobility, can end at any moment.

Knowing that we are alive and free to move are the roots of dancing. And of sexual intercourse. These two acts are urgent, immediate, and complicated. Only the professionals in both fields bother to read the manuals and work out the choreography. The rest of us make it up as we go along. Every time.

Because we can.

So, when Gene Kelly straps garbage can covers onto his feet and dances, it’s ridiculous.

And when two people meet on a dance floor and each is so obviously thinking what it would be like to have sexual intercourse with the other, it’s ridiculous.

And it’s sublime.

How’s things now, Greggman, after all this wisdom??…..

There’s a sexy chick inside me struggling to get out too…she comes out to play at home but cloaks her secret from prying eyes in public! 

So …find a wallflower, take her home, and unveil your magic…

 I  myself  have ask that same question time and time again, so much that i am plannning to write a research paper on it.  I really dont think its a mating ritual.  Reason being, and the reason to lead me to ask myself this question is because a couple days ago I was babysitting my nephew whom is just over a year old.  I was playing some musik and I noticed him vibing to it.  He was basically dancing.  My nephew is one year old theres no way he was doing that to pick up!  its and interesting question and I hope i find the answer

in my opinion, dancing is people letting their hormones loose and i think thats what people mean as *expressing* yourself.  Like one person said, club dancing is saying “im thinking about having sexual intercourse with you.”  this differenciates between the level of dancing “school, ymca, club, VIP” but it’s all about hooking up in my opinion.  hooking up differenciates too, either just grinding with a girl and saying you danced with this chick, or making out with a chick, or fucking this chick…its interesting how black eyed peas has a song “disco club” and the songs saying you shouldnt date woman in the disco club because they are either fucked up or sluts but the woman is saying they are normal people but just like to dance…but its obvious the chicks in the disco club are sexually active so it comes back to just letting your hormones loose and hooking up.

Good question. I’m a very private guy- my inner thoughts and all are just for me and those close to me- not for a crowd of strangers! G- man is right- people are watching who’s dancing. I’ve watched when I’ve gone to clubs, and the few times I was dragged to the dance floor ( a disaster and embarrasment every time) I got looks and a few comments- at least I wasn’t asked again! My girlfriend would like me to dance- and I’ve said I would let her at least try to teach me( so far she hasn’t???) but I know I could never let loose in a public place and I can’t imagine enjoying dancing. Also: why do some people get so bent out of shape about non- dancers? I don’t care if anyone likes to dance, as long as I’m left out of it.

well dancing is something which comes within,a way of expressing what you cannot express verbally.but for me it is a way to enjoy,i find my mind free of everything,all my problems are gone.ones there’s a good music….all worries is gone.its like, as if suddenly u have wings, suddenly u see urself swinging with the music.and what make dancing in a club more fun is that there ist tension in a club(unless one want to put tension on his/herself).although i know how to dance (im a girl) i always look into the eye of a guy who doesnt know how to do so.this shows them that u arent interesting in the way they are dancing,even if they dont know how but rather u are interesting at heping him have fun.it gives them confident.if you look at his feet while he dance,he shall go and sit or stand beside the bar.

so for those who cant dance, dont worry, practice is nothing.some people do a lot of practising or go to sveral classes,but….total losers on the floor.coz learning the steps in a dancing class isnt the same as having fun on a dance floor in a club.

so enjoy and lose the tension

i like to dance because i like to mov my bits eg bum boobs

I completely agree, i have no idea why people dance, and i find it odd that everyone just does it and loves it or at least accepts it. especially at weddings and other occasions. I personally dont dance because 1 i dont understand it, 2 i couldnt even if i wanted to and 3 i dont see why i should. But what really gets me is why people think you are so miserable and such a ‘party pooper’ if you refuse to dance ? surely its a matter of choice not what you SHOULD and Must do? I say its taking a liberty to try to make someone dance against their will, and to think someones is boring and misreable because they dont choose to dance. I just want all of you who do dance to at an occasion just for a couple of songs, watch everyone else dancing and just think to yourself WHY? what is it for and how odd is that?

i think dancing is really good and great to do as a job or trying to be healthy and i like dancing

i luv dancing im at skool and im very good at dancing ha ha ha im betta than all of yous lol so yer i am at skool ha ha

hey its me again and i just wanted to tell u that im really fat and i like dancing my fat ass off till the the cows come home p.s im really fat fuk me biatch mwa hahhahha hbybvinm8

people like doing what they are good at. i like running because i can turn up at a race with not much training and still beat most people. i dont particularly like dancing because im not particularly good at it. i guess ability to dance preceeds most club puppies ’careers’ in dancing.

the reason id like to get better at dancing is so i can be less self-concious at parties / clubs and because girls seem to like it when guys can dance.

i think skill at dancing is dependant on a) natural coordination – most long time, team sport players can dance well. and b) confidence. my mate can be pretty uncoordinated on the sports field but is confident, happy and knows how to loosen up and dances well. and c) probably many other things too.

definately depends how you feel. crank out some positive music (that you like) with a decent beat (smashmouth works for me) up loud, stop all those negative thoughts, chillax and see if youre not more inclined to dance. the more music you know and the better you know it, the better the chance of you hearing a song you like in da club.

p.s. screw other peoples judgements. yeaAHH.

People don’t dance at home alone with headphones on because the cord would get in the way!

But seriously, dancing at home is fun, sometimes you hear a song and you just can’t help yourself but move to the beat. And dancing with other people is more fun just because your doing it with other people, just like eating dinner or playing golf is more fun when you do it with friends.

What I really wonder what it is that makes people just get the urge to throw crazy shapes when they hear certain noises, I guess its just one of those things that is deep within our instincts, like some sort of ritual.

Why do people like listening to music?

Why do people like playing sport?

Why do people like to dance?

Who knows?

Hiya_xx

dancing is great i love it…..

but only HIP HOP

but sometimes i get shamed out

Reece

Thanks for all the input. I got on your web site because I was wondering why some people start moving/dancing automatically when they hear a beat and others won’t budge a toe…must be the brain connections.

Im the same I see my mates dancing when i go out dancing im like “god wish i could do all this grinding and things like that, i just sit down and drink lol.

Then I usually get grabbed by my friend and pushed into a girl and im like “omg what should i do!” i find myself thinking i dont know what to do and walk off because i think i’d show myself up because i dont know what im doing i wish i coulkd dance and stuff like that!

So I respect the people who can do it automatically because i want to do it as well! its healthy, good socially and its better than drinking all night lol.!

So if anyone can help email on jamescantdance@googlemail.com Please It means alot !=[

I DANCE TO LET GO OF EVERYTHIN

YU CAN COME HOME FROM A HARD DAY, N WEN I DANCE ALL THE STRESS, ANGER AND EVERYTHIN LEAVES..

DANCE MEANS ALOT TO ME

IM THANKFULL THAT I HAVV THA RYTHM AUTOMATICALLY, WIFOWT IT I WUD B DOMED

SO WEN I DANCE I EXPRESS MY SELF AND HOW I FEEL, N IT ALWAYZ MAKES ME HAPPI, BECAUZ BEIN UNHAPPI IS JUS NOT WORTH IT, WHY B SAD WEN YU CAN B SMILIN

dancing is my passion !