Modern Tango World N° 7 (Havana, Caribbean) | Page 34

Top 10 Ways to Get Asked to Dance

Top 10 Ways to Get Asked to Dance

Karen Kaye
I’ m not getting asked to dance she said. And I could see why. She was a skilled follower and a beautiful woman with the warmest soul. But no one noticed because she sat buried in the corner of the room looking royally annoyed.
10: Stand up. If you REALLY want to dance, don’ t sit down. It gives the impression that you are resting and taking a break. Stand up and position yourself at the edge of the dance floor.
9: Start moving. Whether you are standing by the dance floor or sitting down, moving your body and your feet to the music shows that you are feeling the song and want to dance to it. The fastest way for me to get asked is to go onto the edge of the floor and begin moving to the music.
8. Be less social. This isn’ t the time to get into a deep conversation with a friend. If I am chatting with someone, I keep my eyes on the dance floor, and actively convey that my interest is not in the conversation, but on the possibility of dancing. I show this by smiling at people who walk by and being interested in what’ s happening on the floor.
7. Be more social. Find someone you want to dance with and strike up a conversation with them. Comment on how much you love the band or DJ tonight. Ask if they like the wine they are drinking. Or simply go up and say,“ I don’ t believe we have met, I’ m Karen ….”. Making a new friend this way will almost always lead to them asking you dance – either then or later.
6. Check your attitude. You have to look receptive, so drop the crossed arms. Confidence is great thing, but don’ t strut around and watch the floor with an attitude that suggests you are too good to dance with anyone there. Some people appear to be always judging what’ s happening on the floor. Don’ t be that person. It suggests you will do the same when you dance with them. Lastly, be gracious regardless of who asks you to dance. People will notice how you respond when asked to dance – and will watch your attitude while you are dancing with other dancers. Stay gracious!
5. Drop your ego. You aren’ t entitled to being asked just because you showed up. Your 10,000 hours of lessons and practicing doesn’ t guarantee you a thing. If you want to dance, sometimes YOU have to ask. Make a guy’ s night and approach him or initiate the cabeceo. Some guys love this far more than we ladies realize.
4. Make it easy. Don’ t play hard to get. Don’ t make it difficult or awkward for the guy to ask you. Ensure you have plenty of moments when you are alone so he doesn’ t have to awkwardly interrupt a conversation. Smile at them. Make eye contact. Even if you have to fake it, appear to be enjoying your night. No guy wants to take on the challenge of flipping an attitude from“ bitter bench warmer” to happy dancer.
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