Should I call?
Maybe I should wait a few days?
I think I'll just reschedule.
There's an internal struggle we all face when trying something new for the first time, and that includes dance lessons and first dates.
Bizarre correlation alert!
As odd as that pairing may sound, there is some excellent dance advice disguised as first date tips. So if you happened to ignore the parental dating tips, get ready - they've been repurposed to get your ballroom dance lessons started.
7 First Date Rules that Totally Work for Your First Dance Lesson
1. First Contact
Dating: If a potential date is courteous, well groomed, and polite, it is perfectly acceptable to agree to exchange contact information.
Dancing: If you've seen a commercial, online advertisement, or read an article that alleviated any concerns you may have had about dancing - "it is perfectly acceptable to exchange contact information."
2. Accepting the Invitation
Dating: Within the next few days you should expect to hear from your potential date. If not, feel free to discard any contact information given to you.
Dancing: A member of the staff should contact you within one business day of your dance lesson inquiry. "If not, feel free to discard any contact information given to you."
3. Set the Date
Dating: Once you have accepted the invitation, 3-5 days is a reasonable amount of time before your date takes place. Anything longer and you may forget or lose interest.
Dancing: Once you have contacted your dance studio of choice, set your appointment no later than 3-5 days later whenever possible. "Anything longer and you may forget or lose interest."
4. Greeting Your Date
Dating: First impressions go a long way towards future dates. Be mindful of good manners, a polite greeting, and all manners of courtesy during the initial moments of the date.
Dancing: A member of the Arthur Murray staff will greet you politely the moment you walk in for your lesson. After all, "first impressions go a long way" when it comes to your dancing lessons.
5. Relaxed Conversation
Dating: It is perfectly normal to feel a little nervous or apprehensive during the first moments of your date. A pleasant and relaxed conversation can put you, and your date, at ease.
Dancing: Your dance instructor will ask questions to learn about your dancing goals, and get to know you. "A pleasant and relaxed conversation can put you at ease" and improve your ability to learn.
6. Keep an Open Mind
Dating: To show creativity and careful planning, many dates will arrange an activity or restaurant that you may not have been to before. Keep an open mind as this is designed to make your date more interesting.
Dancing: As a new dancer, don't be alarmed if you are learning a wider variety of dances than you expected. You are capable of learning much more than you think if you "keep an open mind."
7. No Pressure
Dating: If the date was well planned, and your date was well groomed, polite, courteous, and put you at ease, then it is perfectly acceptable to agree to another date. "It is your choice, and there should be no pressure to do so."
Dancing: A complimentary dance lesson is designed to give you a chance to make an educated decision on lessons. It's important to consider the professionalism and courtesy of the staff, the pace of the instruction, and the ambiance of the studio environment. In most cases potential students will start with a small grouping of lessons, but this is your choice and there should be no pressure to do so.
Final Thought
At first glance, a first date has nothing to do with ballroom dancing lessons. We hope that you've found the correlation, and, more importantly, the courage to walk in, and dance out. Just like any new adventures in your life - it's excitement, mixed with nerves, and it all gets better when you take the first step.
