The Student Room Group

I can't dance

I'm 18 and go out clubbing sometimes but I cannot dance at all. Sometimes I try to sort of imitate what people are doing around me and other times I should try and let the music flow through me...but both times I can see people (strangers and friends) around me laughing at me.

I'm going to uni next year so I'll prob be going out clubbing more often so it's gonna get worse. I can't really take lessons for it either because it's not ballroom dancing, or salsa or anything like that. Can anyone help please:frown: ??

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Reply 1
My advice is to practice infront of a mirror and don't do anything crazy. just bopping up and down is more than some people do.
Back in the day you could just stand against the wall in the club smoking a rollup, not dancing at all as you took a puff of your ciggie, but then nodding your head to the music when you drew away. But those days are long gone :frown:.
Reply 3
hmm..yea practise in front of a mirror.listen to more music as well as will give you more of a sense of rhythm and beat, which in turn may help you on the dance floor.
Reply 4
Even though at uni you wont be doing salsa it might be an idea just to go to a salsa club a couple of times. it gives you a sense of rhythm and is actually really good fun xxxx
Reply 5
You should see me dance :laugh:
Reply 6
i can't either. having the physique and general appearance of a slightly chubby rugby player after too many scrums i have next to no grace of movement. i can ice skate though, which is surprising :biggrin:

my usual ploy is not to try too hard because everyone will be able to see through it straight away. so i usually wait for the really bangin stuff and then generally jump about like the pillock i am.

frankly, who cares as long as its good fun :biggrin:
Reply 7
PlaystationStudies
Back in the day you could just stand against the wall in the club smoking a rollup, not dancing at all as you took a puff of your ciggie, but then nodding your head to the music when you drew away. But those days are long gone :frown:.


Never been a man for rolling my own, but you make a very good point. Standing at the sidelines with a drink doing the same gives the illusion of being some leering weirdo rather than a refined sophisticate who enjoys his tobacco.
Reply 8
Taking dance lessons may actually help you: even though it's different to how you dance in a club, you learn to control your body better.
Just get wasted, make a ******** of yourself and you won't be embarrassed or bothered by who laughs at you :wink:
Reply 10
blackswan
Just get wasted, make a ******** of yourself and you won't be embarrassed or bothered by who laughs at you :wink:


Extra points if you lamp some **** and urinate on a police van thereafter.
Reply 11
"I can't dance, I can't talk, the only thing about me is the way I walk..."

Now that I've got that out of my system...
Seriously, don't worry about it. There are very few people in clubs who are truly amazing dancers, and as long as you're not hurting anyone, you should be fine. If you're really worried, then just watch some other guys for a bit of inspiration, and maybe dance along to some music in your room if you wish.... But really, just don't worry about it. Besides, so many people end up completely pissed in clubs that it won't take long for their dancing to look a bit strange :wink:
Reply 12
I dance a bit like a spade too. I usually find it better dancing with a girl closely, cause u cant do much wrong there, but if that not possible, just the old moving from side to side and some simple stuf. As soon as your arms start flying over the place then you know you are going too far.
There are loads of places offering urban dance lessons, not just salsa and ballroom dancing. My advice to you is to avoid any proper hip hop clubs for now as you don't want to be pushed into a circle and have 30 people watch you try to dance.

Besides, most people in clubs can't even dance properly anyway, they just bop up and down to the beat, hardly anyone I see has any real moves apart from the odd couple of guys, its easy for girls as they just need to shake their lady parts in order to impress people.
Reply 14
loopymeg
"I can't dance, I can't talk, the only thing about me is the way I walk..."

Now that I've got that out of my system...
Seriously, don't worry about it. There are very few people in clubs who are truly amazing dancers, and as long as you're not hurting anyone, you should be fine. If you're really worried, then just watch some other guys for a bit of inspiration, and maybe dance along to some music in your room if you wish.... But really, just don't worry about it. Besides, so many people end up completely pissed in clubs that it won't take long for their dancing to look a bit strange :wink:


Haha I was actually listening to that song when I came across this thread. And yeah I agree with what you said, it's no big deal, maybe just try practicing in front of a mirror in your room.
Reply 15
Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box. You can't beat it. :p:
Reply 16
i can't dance unless i'm drunk. and probably even then i still can't. but i'll think i'm beyonce.
Reply 17
dancing is an inborn talent but you can dance,if u find a good teacher.
Go to a rock club and air guitar. It works.
Reply 19
You are not free. I show pity.
Just put some music on you enjoy, love. Practice home alone, and just be free; allow yourself to relax and enjoy the music naturally sing along. Laugh and smile and just dance carelessly. Dancing ain't complex. Its a free form of body movement responding to music.

If you still feel your friends / strangers are laughing - go up to the bar, get a top shelfer down you and hit the dance floor - tell me you cant dance then. Long has the days gone when people laugh at you in a club - dickless ******s. Get into a nice club/atmosphere. Watch Music on tv and dancing and try to follow through as practicing. Trust you will eventually feel comfortable and develop a good rhythm. You feel me?