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The prom. It's the granddaddy of all high school events, and it can strike fear in the hearts of those with two left feet. Fortunately, there's not much to getting by on the dance floor. The two kinds of dancing you'll encounter at the prom, fast and slow, are less learned skills than they are exercises in finding the beat and having a good time.
How to Dance at the Prom will lay down a few simple rules to help you navigate the dance floor and the etiquette that surrounds it.
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Fast Dancing
- There are only two kinds of dancing in prom land—fast dancing and slow dancing. Fast dancing is probably the easier of the two because it's primarily about having a good time with your friends, but it does require a sense of rhythm and a modicum of confidence. Fortunately, there are a few tips that can put you at ease even if you've never danced outside the comfort of your own bedroom before:
- Relax: Scout the place out. Chat with your friends. Soak in the atmosphere. The dance floor will be there when you're ready.
- Take in Your Surroundings: Watch the dance floor for a bit. Get a sense of how other people are dancing.
- Feel the Beat: Listen to the music. Find the beat. Maybe do a little chair dancing. Bob your head. Let your body start to sway. When you hear a song you like, it's time to get on the floor.
- Step onto the Dance Floor: You're chill. You're into the groove. Now is the time to find a space on the dance floor. Don't invade anyone else's space. Just carve yourself out a little niche. If you're nervous about dancing, take some friends with you. You can form a little circle or, if it's just you and your date, dance facing each other.
- Do a Basic Step: You don't need to have "moves" to enjoy dancing. Your body simply swaying to the beat is dancing. If you want to take things a step beyond head-nodding, try a simple, rhythmic step.
- Stand with your feet together.
- Step with your right foot out to the right. Bring it back in.
- Step with your left foot out to the left. Bring it back in.
- You can repeat this step to the side, the front and on the diagonal.
- Relax Your Arms and Upper Body: You shouldn't flail your arms around, but you should let your upper body relax and follow the music's rhythm.
- Smile: You don't need to look like a crazy person, but you should look like you're having a good time. Nobody makes fun of somebody on a dance floor because they don't have fancy moves. They make fun of them because they look stiff, are being inconsiderate or are generally trying too hard. Stay relaxed and positive, and you won't have that problem.
Throwing in Some Moves
- Once you're comfortable moving on the dance floor, you might consider busting out some more rehearsed moves. So long as you stay on the beat, appear relaxed and don't try anything too showy or athletic, you should be fine. Here are some ways to integrate actual steps into your dance floor repertoire:
- Imitate Others: Look at the really great dancers on the floor. Steal one or two of their moves.
- Watch Videos: You can pick up new moves by watching music videos online. There are even some YouTube instructional videos that break down the choreography you see in music videos. You shouldn't do an entire choreographed routine unless that's your thing, but you can always borrow a few of JT's latest steps.
- Take a Class: You can't take "dancing at the prom" classes, but most gyms offer some kind of hip-hop dance class.
- Practice at Home: Put on your headphones and dance around the house. You'll be less self-conscious goofing around at home and may discover moves you didn't even know you had.
Slow Dancing
- This is where your prom gets really memorable or goes completely off the emotional rails. It's time for the slow dance. Continue to breathe. You'll get through it, sweaty palms and all.
- Assume the Position: Girls put their hands on their partner's shoulders or around their partner's neck. Guys put their hands around their partner's waist or on their hips.
- Sway to the Beat: Slow dancing on a crowded dance floor actually isn't much of a challenge. Just like fast music, there's a beat. You follow it, normally by swaying side to side or slowly turning in a circle.
- Have a Sense of Humor: It never hurts to cut the tension with a goofy dip or unexpected twirl. if you're not having an intense, romantic moment, this is also a good time to talk to your date. It may help put him or her at ease.
- Don't Overstep Your Boundaries: Don't make your partner feel uncomfortable by standing too close or touching anything you shouldn't be touching on a dance floor. Even if the groping opportunity is ripe, you may want to save it for a more private venue.
- Be Polite: Even if your date spent most of his or her time stepping on your toes, thank him or her for the dance. It's an old-fashioned gesture, but it's worth doing. It's a mind-numbingly parental thing to say, but don't take your dance partner, your friends or this moment for granted. It's, as they say, once in a lifetime.
Resources for How to Dance at the Prom
- Prom Spot: Prom Prep: Prom Etiquette Dos & Don'ts
- Prom Spot: Q&A: Can I Dance With Other Guys?
- Emily Post Institute: Tips on Going to the Prom
- About.com: What to Do If Your Prom Date Isn't Great
- About.com: Prom/Dance Etiquette
- wikiHow: How to Dance Disco
- eHow.com: How to Slow Dance - How to Freak Dance
- AskMen.com: How To: Pretend You Can Dance
- Video: She's All That Prom Scene (Time: 2:27)
- Video: Pretty in Pink Trailer (Time: 1:30)
- Video: An Introduction to Hip-Hop Dancing (Videos) (Time: 2:01)
- Video: Dance Videos - Dance Moves: An Emergency Guide for Men (Time: 5:13)
- Video: How To Dance Series by Corey Vidal (1, 2 Step by Ciara) (Time: 31:12)
- Video: How To Dance Series by Corey Vidal (SexyBack Choreography) (Time: 41:56)
