happily ever laughter · 26/01/2010 11:09 pm by Bron
Well I’ve been swing dancing for about 4 months now. Su had mentioned she was learning and asked if I wanted to come along, so of course I was thrilled to find someone to go with -I did a course with Devo and Kim a couple of years ago, but we never went to any of the social events, and I basically forgot whatever I picked up.
This time round, we’re going to pretty much everything we can, and are well and truly hook-line-and-sinkered. When we worked out that one class a week wasn’t enough, we stepped it up to two, and then three and started school-hopping.
The scene is a mix of straight-laced conservative folk and artsy alternative types with a few quirky space cadets thrown in. But no matter who I dance with, it’s a pretty safe bet I’ll laugh. This is because, a) I generally stuff something up and b) I’m having a good time.
Last week I danced with a guy I hadn’t seen out before, and he was doing a lot of fancy footwork. I found it difficult to follow because I hadn’t learnt a lot of the moves and wasn’t sure what I was meant to do, so I was laughing.
Half-way through the dance, the guy stops, rolls his eyes up and says something like, “If you’re going to laugh I’m going to..” (I couldn’t hear because of the band, but I noticed he wasn’t looking at me, wasn’t smiling and was swearing under his breath). I was taken aback by this so I asked, “wait, what did you say?” Again he didn’t look at me and said, “If you’re going to keep laughing at me I’m not going to dance with you!” I wondered for a second if he might be joking, but he looked like he wanted to punch me in the face. I was actually a bit shocked. wtf. “I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing at myself because I don’t know what to do.. whoa.” He totally killed my mood. He said “well it doesn’t come across like that.”
Anyway after a moment he apologised and we kept dancing but I didn’t even want to smile then. Hey if he’s going to jump down my throat like that then I’m going to look as stone-faced as he does and we’ll do the fucking funeral dance.
I just don’t understand why people take themselves so seriously. I had assumed that with all his fancy footwork he was a better, more experienced dancer. Su said after that he may have told her he’s only been dancing for a couple months. I guess he must have been self-conscious, but dude, lighten the fuck up!
I was pissed off because it made me doubt myself. Made me think that maybe I shouldn’t laugh at all. Have I unintentionally offended anyone else because of it? Does anyone else take it that seriously?
Interpretation is a mixed bag.
He was totally just a crank – I wouldn’t worry about it. Or dance with him again, if you can help it!
— Su Jan 29, 10:21 am #