10 Things Dancers Hear Constantly

Meeting somebody and claiming that you are/are working towards being a dancer is a risky game. A lot of questions pop up and people don't seem to hold back. Some are amusing, some are a little full-on and some are just plain weird. So here are the most common things that dancers hear:

10. Have you ever done Pole Dancing?

This question is usually asked by slightly leery men in pubs or clubs. Yes, most of us have probably done some pole classes. What you're picturing - some flexy goddess whipping her hair and sliding down the pole seductively is pretty far off, though. It's usually us sweating, getting pole burn and praying to Alyssa Edwards that our core strength holds up and we don't plummet to the floor.

9. Dance isn't really sport, though...

Sigh. This still bugs me even after I've been asked it 1000 times. Yes, dance is a sport. It's one of the most intense sports, actually, because there are so many elements to it. Dancers have to have amazing core strength, agility, endurance, cardiovascular strength, incredible flexibility, dexterity, performance ability and a strong memory. Dance training is gruelling and dancers don't get to rest. All of the dancers I know are the most committed people and we work super hard around the clock, always. Have you ever held your leg off the floor for more than 20 seconds? Yeah, try doing that behind your head whilst jumping, running, spinning, remembering to perform and making it look effortless. Boy, bye.

8. What's your real job?

Becoming a professional dancer is one of the most difficult career paths a person can take. There is constant rejection, sometimes long periods of unemployment and uncertainty. So yes, some of us do have jobs that work alongside our dancing. That doesn't mean they are our 'real job'. It also doesn't mean that you can assume we have to have one, either. A lot of dancers are struggling through, fighting for their dream and having amazing successes and building little by little and so to belittle their sacrifices by suggesting it isn't a 'real job' is pretty hurtful. Why don't you pay our bills with your 'real job' then?

7. Have you ever seen 'Dirty Dancing'?

Yes, we almost definitely have. Yes, it's amazing. Bit stereotypical but honestly, we love it. We probably won't attempt the lift in the middle of the club with you though, because we're not sure you can lift us and we don't want a concussion but thanks for the offer!

6. Are you flexible?

This one is pretty obvious but yes, we are flexible. A lot of people follow this question by expressing how inflexible they are and I've often had people demonstrate not being able to touch their toes. What people don't realise is that flexibility isn't always natural. We are all flexible in different ways and dancers put themselves through uncomfortable stretches repeatedly over years to push and maintain their flexibility. So unless you want to start doing box stretches against a wall every day, your toes are gonna be out of reach for a while, I would say.

5. You're the dancer, why don't you dance for everyone now?

Depending on the level of show-off-dancer you are (for a lot of us it fluctuates dependant on alcohol consumption), this might be the invite you've waited for. For most of us though, this question is a bit awkward. This one tends to crop up at family parties, weddings and social gatherings and it's a bit weird. It would be like seeing a Golfer in a bar, smashing a hole in the floor and expecting him to start Golfing for everybody on his night off. We love to dance and we will take any opportunity to, but we're not performing monkeys, Something tells me you wouldn't appreciate a 4 minute long emotional contact improvisation performance to 'Build me up Buttercup' on the dance floor, Aunt Janet.

4. I used to take dance lessons when I was 5. I could have been a dancer!

Congratulations! That is really great news that you used to dance. Buuuuuuuut you don't now. So no, you're not a dancer. If you'd have put in the 8 hours a day over the course of many years then there is a slight chance you could have had even a shot of becoming a professional dancer but lets be honest - you obviously weren't that into it. So we'll just nod politely and smile for this one.

3. Can't you just skip class/rehearsals?

We know that being friends with a dancer can be hard. We're busy a lot of the time, we're always stretching or clicking bones in public places and go embarrassingly ham on the dance floor on a night out. Sadly, this is another of those things. We can't just skip rehearsals or class. Firstly, because we might be part of a team who have committed to a performance or rehearsal schedule and we take it really seriously and aren't going to let somebody down. Secondly, we want to dance. We need to dance. Hanging out with you will be fun, no doubt, but dance comes first, unfortunately.

2. What kind of dance do you do?

If you're a dancer, you will 100% have been asked this over and over. We all do the same things - reply with 'all sorts of dance, really'. This doesn't impress the question asker. They want more detail. So we try to explain... 'I train in different styles but my favourites are ....' and that seems to appease them a little more. People need specifics. You must only master one style of dance, remember.

1. CAN YOU DO THE SPLITS?!

I have been asked this so many times it's kind of ridiculous. What is people's obsession with the splits? Why is this the ultimate move when dancers can do 100 things more impressive?! It baffles me. I have literally had men follow me around in clubs and harass me to do the splits. There. In the club. Promising that once I've done a split, they'll leave me alone. What on earth? Splits are cool, sure, and sometimes it's fun to surprise a group with a split bang on the drop in the music. But once again, we're not performing monkeys and the power of the split is in our hands.

If you're a dancer and can relate to any of these, leave a comment! Or maybe you've been guilty of asking a dancer these questions? We don't really mind, we're just happy that people take an interest in our art form. As long as you buy our tickets, come see our shows and support our craft then we're onboard with whatever odd questions you might have, so ask away.

Thanks for reading!