But They Are Indeed Watching

“Suddenly Everyone Is Scared to Dance at Concerts and Clubs”

https://apple.news/AobRQ7JA3SUm53j7UnGQVog

This article from The Wall Street Journal (click on the link above) points to a rather sad consequence of our arguably out-of-control social media culture. And this is coming from someone that is not exactly inclined to go out on the town for a night of dancing (https://www.apirateontheprairie.com/post/shagging-on-the-beach-and-the-boulevard and https://www.apirateontheprairie.com/post/aren-t-you-a-little-young-for-me). I can’t say that I much like this apparent trend.

I, myself, tend to feel awkward and self-conscious when dancing anything in public other than a slow dance. I tend to resent it when a woman attempts to drag me onto the dance floor after I have indicated that I don’t care to dance, even if she means well. Dancing is not my thing and I don’t really enjoy myself. If you have ever seen me dancing in public something other than a slow dance, I was quite likely inebriated.

With that being said, I don’t begrudge anyone that enjoys dancing for enjoying that particular pastime regardless of whether or not he or she is deemed by others to be a “good dancer.” I hate the idea of someone that genuinely wants to dance feeling as though he or she can’t or shouldn’t for fear of being ridiculed. I would argue that dancing is a gift and those that want to dance should feel free to do so without fear of being made into a joke and mocked on social media. My own personal disdain for dancing is fueled far more by how I feel and far less by how others might see me. But nobody likes to be made out to be the butt of cruel jokes and vicious ridicule.

If you want to dance, dance. If you don’t want to dance, don’t dance. And if you feel the need to humiliate someone and mock their supposed lack of dancing skills and abilities, maybe just remember that it’s someone just trying to have a good time and that the world has enough critics.