We’ve all been social dancing and had some quirky moments. If we’re lucky, we’ve avoided complete embarrassment. But, not all of us are so lucky.
Here are are a few embarrassing moments, courtesy of our fellow social dancers (and me):
Peek-A-Boo
“I was once dancing with my biggest dance-crush (and real crush) while wearing a flowy top. The back of the shirt was only connected at the neckline. It was the first time I wore that shirt social dancing.
About halfway through the dance, the lead turned me. As he went to move to close hold, my shirt managed to flip itself over the top of his head and catch him inside my shirt. It was mortifying!”
Dance Floor Dive
“I used to go to a really popular nightclub that had a Salsa night once a week. I don’t drink, so I’m one of the few people there who is completely sober.
The dancefloor at this club is a bit lower than the rest of the bar, so you have to go down about 2 steps. One of my favorite songs came on, so I rushed over to grab a partner. But, I tripped over the top of the first step and face-planted into the middle of the dancefloor.
To make matters worse, a bouncer came over. He was convinced that I was drunk! I told him I hadn’t had anything to drink, but he didn’t agree to let me stay at the club until he smelled my breath.
When he figured out I actually was sober, he laughed at me.”
Fly Fishing
“I had a friend who used to date someone in the dance scene. They broke up, but stayed mostly-friends. They still also danced together a lot, because they had really good dance chemistry.
One time, they were dancing and her finger got stuck in his fly. To this day, no one is sure how it happened.”
New Years’ Exposé
“One time, I went to a New Years dance. I felt amazing in my brand-new mini-dress. The night was great, too!
But, later that week photos were posted. What no one (including my boyfriend) had told me is that you could see half my butt whenever I lifted my arm. I had to find out when the event photos were made public on Facebook!
I untagged myself, but as far as I know, all the photos are still on the internet somewhere. Photographer: what were you thinking posting those?!”
Tearful Connection
“I had been eyeing an instructor for a dance all night, and finally got the nerve to ask right near the end of the evening. The dance was going fine – until he turned me and my elbow smashed straight into his nose!
I’ve had collisions before, but none this bad. His eyes were watering – and the next time I saw him, his nose was swollen!
I haven’t elbowed anyone like that since.”
Birthday Bellyflop
“I was dancing with a girl in her birthday circle at a crowded Salsa club. Things were going great; we always have had a really good dance connection with each other.
But, during her birthday dance, I managed to slip on a wet-patch. Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal, but I fell – on top of the birthday girl. It’s on camera, and literally every dancer at the club was watching.
I can’t bring myself to dance with her like I used to anymore!”
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When I was a tango newbie at my first milonga in Argentina, I was sovery excited to be there with some fellow students and instructors. BUT, I was also very naive about tango’s very traditional customs re.: dancing in Buenos Aires. I saw a rather odd-looking gentleman giving me the ‘cabaceo’- & we began to dance. he gripped me so tightly, he knocked the air out of me and I wanted to stop right then and there, so I said, “Gracias” which is a big NO-NO in their culture. (You must finish the 3 or 4 song tanda or it’s an gross insult!) So the guy says to me, ( in perfect English, “Is that a rhetorical question or a literal question?”) I was so mortified, I finished the tanda, tripping over my feet on the way back to the table and burst into tears, when my instructor says, “THAT was a disaster!!!” I can laugh at these things now but at the time, it was HORRIBLE!
Ok, so this has happened a few times, and maybe I just don’t know what to do but it always turns out awkward. So I’ll be on the dance floor with a hot date and we are having a great night, really clicking and what not until…we’re dancing and she drops it down low. Literally in a low squat position, bouncing to the music and I don’t know what to do. The first time, I try getting down low with her however I quickly realize it hurts. After a minute my knees are screaming and I try to bring us both up to normal bump and grind level. The second time (different partner), I unfortunately play it the classless douche method and put one hand in the air and the other in a motion that makes it look like I’m pushing her head into my crotch to the beat of the song. Neither night ended the way it should have and those are the only moments I can think of that were really off between me and either of my dates. Can anyone assist me in figuring out what on earth I am supposed to do in a situation like that?
I’m afraid I can’t help you with bump-and-grind style dancing – it’s not my forte!
1. I was introduced to dance when my sister invited to a social. I was a total beginner. I met this great guy whom my sister thought I was perfect for. When we danced, somehow I ended up poking him in the eye. I felt so bad, but he asked me out two days later.
2. There’s a dancer at my regular club who has really sweaty hands. I’m always worried that I’m going to go flying across the room when he spins me. So on a fast turn I tried my best to stay close and I ended up hitting him in the mouth with my elbow. I winced, and when I turned around to face him his face looked unphased, so he gave me a reassuring smile… with a mouth full of blood. I was like “Yeah… you should go clean that up.” He responded, “I’m fine, let’s finish this dance!” But I couldn’t do it.
3. The legend of the elbow strikes again. I have a friend who looks at his feet too much. He lead me into multiple fast spins with his head down, and my elbow connected with his eyebrow. I managed to draw blood requiring stitches, and he got a ride to the hospital because he thought he might have a concussion. To this day we joke about it. He knows he’s is getting too rowdy when I gesture like a pro wrestler about to do an elbow drop.