Today, thanks to social media and the popularity of shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" and "World of Dance," people know more about dance than ever before. But when it comes to actually being a dancer, there are some things our friends outside the studio will never understand. To reassure you that you're not the only one explaining "I can't, I have dance" every five minutes, we present to you the top 10 phrases dancers would like to stop hearing (please).
"Show me a move!"
If you're not going to give us 30 minutes to warm up and a completely empty sprung marley floor, the most you're going to get from us is a single port de bras.
"You're on a dance team? So you're a cheerleader?"
Not at Louisville (and most other major colleges and universities) — cheer teams and then Ladybirds dance team. There’s a difference. Your rationale is like saying football and rugby are the same sport because they use a ball and tackle.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) September 4, 2019
No. No, I'm not. (Shoutout to this ESPN reporter for providing some clarity, though.)
"Can you teach me?"
Gladly! As long as you have proper attire, an appropriate studio space, and about 10+ years' worth of time to dedicate to the cause.
"You must be like, SUPER flexible."
Can I do the splits? Yes. Is it the most significant thing about me as a dancer? NO. I'm not a circus sideshow.
"What other activities do you do?"
Uh, does watching dance movies count? Dance training is no joke—it basically takes up all of our time. (Not that we really have a problem with that.)
"Why can't you just skip practice?"
Because missing the 64+ counts of choreography and formations taught during just one rehearsal is a #prettybigdeal, so we try to avoid it as much as possible.
"What kind of dance do you do?"
This question is a bit more amusing than annoying, as the non-dancer is never quite ready to hear the 15-minute long string of dance styles every comp kid has studied over the years.
"You must be able to eat whatever you want!"
Sure, carb-loading and post-performance feasts can be fun, but there's no way we're getting through our weekly dance schedule unless we think carefully about how we're fueling our bodies.
"I took ballet when I was little, but then I quit."
That's nice to hear, but we hope you don't think our dance classes still include twirling around aimlessly in a tutu.
"But what do you want to do for a real job?"
We have no words.