by Martha Leonard

Created on: March 17, 2007   Last Updated: September 01, 2009

Going dancing is a great date. In the first place it isn't usually doesn't put a major dent in the budget. In the second place, it's usually fun and a healthy activity and socially acceptable. That is all true if everything goes well,of course. It can also be a horrible experience.

Dancing can be very revealing about a person. There is something very freeing about being with a crowd of people enjoying themselves. The music itself can influence and change moods. Generally at a dance a person is more relaxed and not putting on an act just to impress. Individuals tend to be more "themselves" while dancing. Of course, one of the first things you learn about a dance partner is whether they are coordinated! A person doesn't neccessarily have to be a good dancer, if they are a good sport. If, on theother hand, they turn moody, surly or impatient, the evening will no doubt end early.

The way a person dances can indicate their intentions. If a man picks mostly slow songs, hugs you tight and spends more time nuzzling your neck than really dancing, that tells you something. Whether the message is pleasing to you is your choice. On the other hand, if s/he prefers line dancing, square dancing or other kinds of fast dances without the physical touch, s/he may be sending a different kind of message. A good mix of both says options are open.

Depending on how one feels about dancing and the where and how of it, dancing can be highly influential on the outcome of a date. I think my own story illustrates it best.:

I had been reluctant to attend a single's club dance after a long, drawn out and bitter divorce. My friend had nagged me for months to come and I finally relented. I had to admit I was enjoying myself, meeting new people and even dancing now and then. After a couple of hours, HE walked in. I noticed immediately. He was fairly good looking and seemed to be friendly. I watched him as he danced and thought he was good. I also thought he was interesting!

It took him long enough. He seemed to dance with everyone in the room, but me! Finally it was my turn. Finally, he led me out onto the floor. We introduced ourselves and chatted about this and that. He was relaxed, smooth and confident on the floor, which made it easy to follow. He knew ballroom dancing. The first dance was a Fox Trot. I found that very interesting. Not many men do that well, but he certainly did. Afterwards he led me back to my chair and pulled it out for me. We each danced with someone else the next dance.

Then came a fast dance, a little rock and roll. We checked each other out. Yep, we meshed. We both knew the moves. He was graceful. This was getting ve-r-r-y interesting. As we caught our breaths after shaking things up, a waltz tune started. I've always loved waltzes. I've always loved waltz tunes. He slid his arm around my waist, clasped my hand and held it out properly from the shoulder and swung into the beat. As we danced and circled, the walls and floor faded away. The other people disappeared. There were fluffy clouds below us, blue skies above and rainbows all around. This man could waltz! I looked up into his eyes and smiled and smiled. He smiled back. Before I went home I gave him my phone number.

We waltzed at our wedding a year later.

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