Observations at a High School Dance

[popuptoaster]

Just be yourself dude, i've seen a lot of life, done good and bad things with good and bad people, i'm 43 and have what might be called a chequered past, I found my current partner last year, we were friends 25 years ago and lost touch, but having met up again something clicked and we are now together and very much in love. I was with my daughters mum for 5 years, we loved each other (and are still close) but we just did not work as a couple, other than those two though all my other "relationships" were very casual, mainly due to the people i was mixing with at the time.

I'm just saying dont rush it and dont give up, you may not get someone special drop right into your lap, but as long as your not hiding indoors all the time your bound to meet someone sooner or later.

[Reuben Rebellis]

At the same time, you cant expect to listen to Lil' Wayne and waltz at the same time.
Sure, it's ridiculous to think that this is the norm, but you can't expect to go somewhere where a specific thing (in this case, clothed sex and Top 40) is expected and effectively change it yourself.  It's like walking into the movies wanting to see kickass zombie-action, yet buying a ticket for a kid's movie instead and hoping they'll change the showing to suit you.

Of course, I'm just playing the Devil's Advocate here, but if you don't like something, leave it to the people that do and do your own thing.  Find a gala or something where people actually want to ballroom dance.  Just don't go in expecting Rancid there, either :3

[cge]

At the same time, you cant expect to listen to Lil' Wayne and waltz at the same time.

You can't? While I'm not terribly familiar with modern culture, I have heard several modern songs that are either 3/4 or have a 3/4 sub-rhythm that allows for a decent waltz, and there are certainly dances (one-step, two-step, social foxtrot, etc) one can do to modern 4/4. While it takes considerable self-confidence, it usually has hilarious results.

Sure, it's ridiculous to think that this is the norm, but you can't expect to go somewhere where a specific thing (in this case, clothed sex and Top 40) is expected and effectively change it yourself.  It's like walking into the movies wanting to see kickass zombie-action, yet buying a ticket for a kid's movie instead and hoping they'll change the showing to suit you.

It's like going into a dreadfully-made horror film and providing commentary that makes it an amusing comedy. It's great fun, but often results in considerable animosity from those who don't appreciate such things.

Of course, I'm just playing the Devil's Advocate here, but if you don't like something, leave it to the people that do and do your own thing.  Find a gala or something where people actually want to ballroom dance.  Just don't go in expecting Rancid there, either :3

This is probably the most reasonable idea. There are quite a few vintage and Victorian dance groups that have frequent balls, and you'd probably find these far more enjoyable than hideous high school dances. If you're around Southern California, there's at least one ball a month—I'll be going to one this evening, and one every weekend for the next few weekends. Northern California—especially Stanford and San Francisco, have quite a few as well, and I think some other places also do—Rhode Island has a large summer convention, and Connecticut used to have a decent group if I recall correctly.

[SirValdemar]

Good story for the OP though some parts lack believability but it's pretty spot on as to what I remember of high school dances to be 20 years ago in certain cliques.  Don't let the media or the general public fool you, they ( we ) know what teens are doing though most parents tend to try and forget their teenage foray's into the hormonal jungle.

[Gryphon]

The dance floor/circle/ring has been an arena for experimentation with sexual power for as long as we have been humans.  The current generation dance in the manner that best expresses and explores their understandings of that power.  I do not think this constitutes atavism.  Like any form, it has rules.  Apricot's first partner was frustrated and offended because HE DID NOT LET HER LEAD after she had asked him to dance, thereby denying her what she saw as her due in the power exchange.  For many of these young women, this form of dance feels like a liberating act of feminism, a proclamation of female sexual power, an acknowledgement that they crave sex just as much as males but also that they are equal partners in setting the terms of the sexual exchange.   They are seeking to discover exactly what turns them on, and are starting (rather logically, I might add) with the basics.  In return, they offer the limited use of their bodies to their partners for similar purposes.  It is a strangely introspective thing, actually.  The modern dancefloor is not a space for intimate cerebral exchanges  - unlike the ballroom, which served a different purpose in an age when socially legitimate sexual relationships required extensive and often public negotiation.  One does not expect to play football on the tennis court.

Observing the native customs and participating in their rites when invited is part and parcel of being an explorer.  I laud Mr. Apricot for his diligent recording and reporting of his impressions, and encourage him to continue his observations.  And perhaps seek out the nearest ballroom dancing group....

[Tycho]

I was once invited to one of these pubescent mating rituals as a curio, an ancient and perilous creature with no scarcitude of weapons at his disposal (at this particular event, I had a garrote made from a bootlace knotted and looped in my jacket pocket). I noted the same amoeba-like structure forming in the center of the room, but there were stragglers scattered about in threesomes and foursomes.

At one point, sitting though I was, a young lady came as though to attempt to sit on my lap, but she was moving far too much. I stood, to instruct her in the proper art of sitting down, and she ran at the realization that I was significantly taller than her, and apparently somewhat frightening. This was after she had failed in her attempts to offer my companion and I kissing lessons.

[mr_Apricot]

Thank you all for your replies and posts. SirValdemar I assure you that the events that transpired that night have been recorded accurately, though i understand completely if something this ghastly seems fantastic. Unfortunately by going to a boarding school i limit my ability to go to outside dances, though perhaps i will find a group in the summer.

[Mercury Wells]

Mr Apricot, who organises these "so-called dance evenings"?
Would it possible to get a proper dance teacher to do evening classes at your school
Are you allowed to take your lady friend to these dances?
If I was you, [cliche mode on] I would just start waltzing with said partner in the middle of the floor, ignore the looks and comments if any![/cliche mode off] and just enjoy myself. I would be dancing, not practicing to be a person of "negotiable affection".

Also finally just to say, I cant really dance, I can do the waltz badly, well...actually very badly. 

[Sgt.Major Thistlewaite]

Enthusiasm, Mr. Wells! Enthusiasm is the key. I waltz like a wounded bear with two left hind paws, but I do so enthusiastically!

 

~T

[Count Alexander]

mr_apricot...You should never ever visit a nightclub if what you described was vulgar...

I have seen things that would make an old man blush.....(or however that saying goes....)

[mr_Apricot]

They are organized and "chaperoned" (the chaperons just hide in the corner by the door, occasionally threatening to give out demerits but never acting) by the school, but the the deans don't want to hear that there is anything wrong. It seems to be easier for them to ignore the issue than actually face it.