Tips for (beginner) Guys

[under par]

Originally posted by Lory
Insert 2 fish hooks, attached to 2 rubber bands in either corner of your mouth, then wrap the rubber bands round your ears! This should help!

Seriously though, you alway's look relaxed and happy when I've danced with you, if you try TOO hard, it might look false and that will be worse

Lory thankyou for your kind words, would you be ever so upset if I passed on your fish hook idea though!!!!

[Foofs]

Originally posted by Jayne
My only comment would be about chewing gum. Does this bug people? I chew gum *all* the time, especially when dancing. I'm completely paranoid about bad breath and my mouth gets soo dry when I dance if I don't chew. I know that loud chewing is disgusting - but is it worse than the alternative???

I'm slightly concerned about people chewing gum while dancing - I know of a couple of people who have choked on gum whilst dancing. When teaching I always tell the dancers to get rid of it - I don't want to have to stick my fingers down their neck to retrieve it should things go wrong. Why are mints not good enough? if you swallow them the wrong way they will eventually dissolve - gum won't...

[Dreadful Scathe]

Originally posted by Foofs
if you swallow them the wrong way they will eventually dissolve - gum won't...

i take it you mean 'breath in' rather than swallow - a large mint wouldn't do you much good either if that happened. Incidently i swallow chewing gum all the time, saves me looking for a rubbish bin.

[Zebra Woman]

Originally Posted by Rachel

The worrying thing is if I'm the only lady guys feel the 'need' to say this to. - i.e. why can't I manage to move as well as all the other sexy ladies out there?? (I'll look forward to trying a sexy dance with you, though!)
Rachel

You are not alone Rachel. AND I've had worse! One guy said to me AFTER I'd done a sexy walk,'Now do that again but this time sexily'. I was mortified, needless to say the second walk around was even less sexy than the first.

[under par]

Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe

i take it you mean 'breath in' rather than swallow - a large mint wouldn't do you much good either if that happened. Incidently i swallow chewing gum all the time, saves me looking for a rubbish bin.

I've heard swallowing chewing gum makes you turn BLUE if you do it too often!

Have you looked in the mirror lately?

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by Zebra Woman

You are not alone Rachel. AND I've had worse! One guy said to me AFTER I'd done a sexy walk,'Now do that again but this time sexily'. I was mortified, needless to say the second walk around was even less sexy than the first.

Honestly!! Perhaps what we should do with these guys is just stand there and say:' Ok, show me?'
Rachel

[Lory]

Originally Posted by Rachel

Honestly!! Perhaps what we should do with these guys is just stand there and say:' Ok, show me?'
Rachel

[Zebra Woman]

Originally Posted by Rachel

Honestly!! Perhaps what we should do with these guys is just stand there and say:' Ok, show me?'
Rachel

Oh yes ! If only I thought of that. Next time I'm going to say that.

So if you ever see me on the floor laughing my head off....there will be a man nearby thinking he's looking sexy.

[under par]

Originally Posted by Zebra Woman

Oh yes ! If only I thought of that. Next time I'm going to say that.

So if you ever see me on the floor laughing my head off....there will be a man nearby thinking he's looking sexy.

now! now! surely for every man who thinks he looks sexy there will always be a woman (somewhere?) who will find him so Bless


(PS. I do not associate myself with the comments of the male species who so fundementally got it wrong and were obviously blind to the charms of such loveley lady partners.)

[Zebra Woman]

Yes yes, and for every woman a man.... ....and if he doesn't, he shouldn't say eh?

Thanks for the Ps. Yeah maybe they did a really slow blink

[Magic Hans]

I usually suggest that a beginner lead aims to get together a four (favourite) move routine that they can do in their sleep. I see this as the first major objective. Once this is achieved, an odd new move can be slipped in every so often. Over time, the 4 moves becomes 5 .... 6 ....7 .... 9 .... and eventually, totally ad hoc!

A pleasant little encourager for new starters is a reminder that "All things are difficult until they are easy!"


As for mistakes (in leading, as opposed to taking care of the follow), I generally suggest these three steps ...

1. Carry on
2. Smile
3. Think "Bollox"

[accompanied with an apologetic and/or sheepish glance is a help!! There is no right/wrong ... only people having fun or not!! .... getting hurt isn't fun!]