Dancing at parties?

Ask Anything
1

We two nondancers are invited to a 50th wedding anniversary party. My understanding is that there’s a lot of dancing at a French celebration, and it’s not freeform. You’re supposed to know the appropriate steps for different songs or eras.

I’m sure we can lurk in the corners all evening, but where’s the fun in that?

We have two months to practice. What’s the simplest dance to learn and where can we see a youtube video to help us learn it?

2

These should cover most bases :wink:

1 Like
3

Not a wedding anniversary, but the last time I did any dancing at a party in France, we were all stood on the dining room table singing along to something or other and waving our arms in the air… There was, needless to say, a not insignificant amount of alcohol consumed beforehand.

4

The madison…but usually women only

5

Does anyone ever try to do the can can?

6

I did the last time :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

1 Like
7

There was a lot of dancing at our friend’s 70th birthday party.
Excellent dancers and those not so excellent.
Just get up and enjoy the music and friendship.

8

My experience is that the French like to dance, however old they are, and don’t care what they look like while doing it. They just enjoy themselves.

2 Likes
9

All well and good, but if you are a non-dancer who doesn’t feel that way then it is completely not enjoyable! Happy to watch people dance, especially if they are good, but no interest in doing so myself. So if OP is non dancer then I empathise and think that learning a few moves in advance is a good strategy.

10

… or just not dance. It won’t bother anyone!

1 Like
11

Except for those who keep insisting that you “get up and have fun”. I don’t know why it bothers people that I chose not to dance, but it does.

1 Like
12

Ok, I see what you mean. I have the same experience with people, including my sister and BIL, trying to get me to drink more alcohol.

1 Like
13

to dance or not to dance… :wink: :wink:

I know some people who loath dancing, but still manage to enjoy themselves at Dances… our current Maire is one such… he will smile, tap his foot in time to the music (perhaps)… as he stands and chats… but he steadfastly refuses to go any further down the slippery slope onto the dance-floor :rofl:

He will applaud others and definitely enjoys these events… in his own way. :+1:

It’s polite to ask someone to dance, but impolite to insist the person dances if they do not want to… a pleasant refusal should be accepted with a gracious smile…

1 Like