by Lori Buttermark

Created on: August 10, 2009   Last Updated: February 27, 2010

Remember the high school dance, guys, which began as total nightmare and turned into a fun and fabulous experience?

Let's rewind for a minute, shall we? Your hands were damp, clammy and your body felt like rubber. That was before you swallowed your pride and asked your older sister, the dance ham of the family, to lend a little help for Friday night's alleged torture session.

She taught you a very basic box-step and how to hold the lady while dancing. Not bad. You can do this. It wouldn't be for the entire night. There will be other music; some free-style, hip-hop and other stuff; hence, a little sacrifice goes a long way.

The gym lights dim, slow music begins its crescendo. You glance around and single one girl out of the crowd. This cute Miss is actually in one of your classes. She smiles, gladly accepts your hand and now you begin.

You can hear your sister's voice in your head. The right hand goes around the lady's waist, not too close, leave enough space in which to fit a small beach ball. Now your left hand holds the lady's right hand and you lead with your LEFT foot. You are about to go into the just-learned box step, when you suddenly change your mind. You feel like a dork. This a high school dance, not a church social, keep it simple and less awkward, try a comfortable two steps forward and backward motion. It works. You give the lady an occasional, slow underarm turn, addressing it as your signature step. She is wide-eyed; her raised eyebrows tell you that she is impressed and you are inwardly somewhat proud.

The slow dancing was not so bad after all. You escort the lady back to her table or the bleacher bench. Should you linger and chat or just deposit her, walk away and rejoin your buddies? You don't want her thinking that you are interested. The next dance will prove or disprove that theory.

You return home to find your sister watching some TV with a huge bowl of popcorn on her lap. She gives you a big smile and says "Hey, bro, how was the dance?" You give her the "thumbs up" and a quick shout "Thanks, sis, I done good."

Guys must remember that along with the usual study protocol and sports, high school sometimes involves social curricular. Attending school dances are optional, yet they do help develop and formulate the needed social skills for tomorrow's world.

Girls are especially attracted to guys who are good dancers and "gentlemen", a valued quality and rare commodity found in today's society.

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