11 Things You Should Stop Saying To Dancers

Image Credit Dennis Cooper

I want to share an article published at odysseyonline.com, written by Sara Cooper, with you. It’s easy for ballet lovers to annoy dancers by accidentally asking stupid or embarrassing questions.

11 Things You Should Stop Saying To Dancers by Sara Cooper

Sara Cooper in The List on Jan 18, 2016

No, it’s nothing like „Black Swan.“

Dancers hear a lot of annoying things on a regular basis. Sometimes it gets hard to just grin and bear it without offering a sassy response. Just in case you know a dancer, here are 11 things we are sick of hearing (so stop saying them).

1. Is it like „Black Swan?“

No, it’s not like „Black Swan.“ I am not psycho, nor are my dancer friends, nor are professionals. It’s not like that. Yes, it’s hard, and yes, it’s competitive, but it’s not that weird. Please, please stop asking that.

2. Do a move!

No, I will not just „do a move“ for you in the middle of the sidewalk (store, classroom or whatever). Not only do I need to warm up before I can do anything that you would consider to be „impressive,“ but I also don’t want everyone in the vicinity to stare at me because I’m flinging all over the place.

3. Does it hurt?

It hurts. You shove your feet into pointe shoes and tell me how you feel.

4. Are you really good?

I never think I’m good. I am always working to improve my technique. Plus, I am not going to walk around telling you that I think I’m good — that seems a little snobby.

5. Are you the best?

Same story as above. No, I am not „the best.“ There are plenty of people who have better turns than me or better extensions. There is never really one person who is absolutely „the best.“

6. You’re a dance major? What do you even do?

Please, shut up. Not only do I spend hours in technique class, but I also learn skills concerning choreography and teaching, and I sit in a classroom to learn about dance history. On top of that, I spend at least a couple hours every evening in rehearsal. Hours that you are using to do homework or hours that you are using to go out with your friends. I do plenty.

7. What are you going to do with that?

Dance? Thank you very much. There are so many things dancers can do, ranging from dancing professionally to being therapists to leading gym workout classes.

8. So are you going to be a teacher?

Not necessarily. I will probably teach at some point during my career because it’s a good way to make money while doing the thing I love most, but that’s not the only available dance profession. See above.

9. How are you going to make enough money to live?

That’s a pretty rude thing to ask! I’ll probably have a second job, roommates or a combination of both. Most likely, I’ll have another degree (read: „I completed a second major in addition to my dance major“) that will allow me to find a great second job to supplement my income.

10. Is it fun?

Obviously? I wouldn’t spend hours of every day doing it if I didn’t think it was fun. I love dancing. It’s literally my entire life.

11. Do you only eat salad?

Nope. Pass the cookies, please. I burn way more calories dancing than you do sitting on your butt watching Netflix, and I bet I could out eat you anytime. I eat well during classes and long rehearsals, but I don’t deny myself dessert when I want it.

Now that you know the answers to these tough questions and thoughts, stop saying them to your dancer friends! They’ll be way more cheerful if they don’t have to hear these irritating comments 24/7.