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Can you be too old to dance?

Amy Crutchfield

by Amy Crutchfield

17 Feb 05:50am

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Filed under: Age, Dance, Men And Women, Music, Society

70 comments

Pressure might mount on older drivers to get off the roads as they approach 80, but it’s nothing compared to the pressure to get off the dance floor once you’re approaching 40. 

Though the precise cut-off is elusive, the social convention is clear: if you’re dancing your way into middle age, you’re courting tragedy.

Of course no one’s stopping you busting a move – but there’s this question of dignity.  Perhaps it’s best to just cede the floor.  But while that might be gracious it seems unwise.

For dance is the expression of life – even the sprinkler dance.

Dance transcends all cultural and historical boundaries. And unlike say, oil painting or poetry, it is an art for everyone: you don’t need talent, just hips. It’s instinctive, its social, it’s healthy and it’s free.

If you believe you can tread water on the wave of youth, and stay on the dance floor, you’ll need to deal with the fact that, as happy as you are, you’re probably not quite as euphoric as everyone around you…. which may be hard for people who finished school thinking ecstasy was something mentioned in the Bible.

And then there’s the music.  We’ve all experienced the power of music to recall a memory like a bullet. And while it’s great to listen and dance to contemporary music and create new memories, if you feel like something out of your mental cellar, only music from the right vintage is going to do it.

So where are the dance venues for those who have already misspent their youth?

There’s ballroom dancing, but the strictures and sequins of the studio are an odd swap for the spontaneous press of a club.  Notwithstanding a current flush of popularity, formal dancing is really dealing with minorities these days.

You can dance at great live concerts, but its best if you’re a skier – then you’re equipped to lock your knees at the permanent 45 degree angle required so as not to bang into your seat or the one in front.

And if you thought no man was an island – take a look around you next time you stand up and dance at Rod Laver Arena.

There are the waves of 40th/ 50th/ 60th parties to look forward to. But if you only ever wanted to dance with people you already knew you could have moved to a regional centre years ago. And every ten years is a pretty bad stutter if you’re dancing to express your life.

So where does all this bitterness lead? To a business model I hope – a tailored solution. But don’t worry, I’m relinquishing all IP. All I want is my name on the door and 100 bucks on the bar.

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70 comments

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    • acotrel says:

      05:08am | 17/02/11

      Teaching ballroom dancing in schools is a good thing. It gets away from the old peer group pressure thing, and teaches kids to act with a bit of decorum! Perhaps it could be offered as an alternative to sports activities?

      Reply

    • Faz says:

      05:59am | 17/02/11

      @ acotrel

      I dimly remember doing one term of ballroom dancing at the girls high school down the road. The clear impression that stays with me was that it was one of the most compressed, intense experiences of peer group pressure I experienced.

      All the brutal group dynamics of a group of hormone-filled young men were magnified because there were ... you know ... err ... girls there.

      @ Amy

      If you can’t ‘dance like nobody’s watching you’ maybe you shouldn’t at any age? (Mind you, the threat of a YouTube upload ...)

    • Cate P says:

      12:18pm | 17/02/11

      OMG agree with you again acotrel.  What is happening here?

    • acotrel says:

      01:14am | 18/02/11

      @Faz - pearls before swine?  This etiquette stuff is wasted on kids.  If it aint Harry Potter or Mutant Ninja Turtles, or Macca’s, what would they know about it?

    • acotrel says:

      01:32am | 18/02/11

      Faz, year ago I went to a dance held for the kids from MacRobertson High School, and Melbourne High School.  The boys stood up one end of the room, the girls up the other.  In my sixth form year there were 300 boys, ninety of them became doctors!  A lot of their marriages were big disasters! All that excellent education, and the kids couldn’t relate to each other on a reasonable basis!

    • Kirsty says:

      07:12am | 17/02/11

      Depends on your style of dancing, recently a woman approaching her 50’s was dirty dancing, almost stripping at a pub (the crowd was almost entirely under 30 and for the most case didn’t need to see the things she was doing *shudders*), so maybe in her case it was time to hang up the dancing shoes or pick a new style of dance.  Other than that you should just take a leaf out fo the song ‘I just dance the way I feel’

      Reply

    • FarmerJoe says:

      07:55am | 17/02/11

      What was the point of your piece of writing (I can hardly call it an article or journalism)? Was it to denigrate the wonderful joy of country life, yet again, as The Punch contributors are wont to do?

      “you could have moved to a regional centre years ago” - is this a subliminal jealous rage that we have what you don’t?

      You and Michael Koziol should check your facts and research with more integrity before you cast aspersions on those you know nothing about. Life in a ‘regional’ centre (more regular, down-to-earth type people would refer to it as a counrty town) is full of people-qualities that latte-sippers could never experience.

      Reply

    • Adam says:

      09:38am | 17/02/11

      Ahh FarmerJoe, you almost had me until you resorted to name calling yourself! “latte-sippers” - seriously!??

    • Zoe says:

      10:00am | 17/02/11

      I was thinking the same thing. About 400 in our town and I dont know everyone, as they come and go. Taking into consideration the many other small and much larger towns in the area its quite normal to go out and party with people you dont know. Still, theres nothing like having a huge party in someones shed and dancing crazy as you like with people you know! As for every 10 years, ha ha we just make up any excuse. Neighbours dont complain cos theyre all here too. When friends or relatives from cities are brought along their comments about it are along the lines of “the best party ever.” or “youve got the perfect set up here”  and “you dont know how lucky you are” Except we do!!

    • FarmerJoe says:

      10:54am | 17/02/11

      @ Adam - thanks for your support. Name calling has become the orader of the day on ThePunch, hasn’t it?

      How else would one accurately generalise to encompass the population that is incredibly sheltered and naive about the areas of Australia west of the Great Divide?

      My apologies: I should have cited my reference to Michael Koziol:
      http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/boredoms-a-killer-for-regional-youth
      and, quote: “In my spare time, I enjoy political journalism, lattes and Surry Hills.”    http://news.surgfm.org/?page_id=37

    • Gary says:

      02:02pm | 17/02/11

      We’re called ‘City Folk’, just as you are called ‘Country Folk’. Having said that, if you prefer to call us ‘latte sippers’ (most of us don’t drink latte by the way) we shall call you sheep shaggers or ram rooters…which do you prefer?

      P.S You missed Adam’s point. You complained about country folk being denigrated then did exactly the same thing by calling us ‘latte sippers’. i.e you are no better than the columnists you complain about and, therefore, your comments hold no water. If only you had replaced ‘latte sippers’ with ‘you’, you would then have had a few of us as supporters. Now, sadly, i just think you’re a bitter old country hick.

    • FarmerJoe says:

      04:12pm | 17/02/11

      @ Gary - thanks for the insults - city slickers seem to be ever so defensive with people who reside in areas west of the Great Dividing Range. Is it because we actually do enjoy our lives, including dancing to all a ripe old age with good friends, and have the benefit of strong community friendships and support?

      There was no point to this article; except to make a the slight towards those who live and work, and incidentally enjoy, themselves in country areas.

      My statement about Michael Koziol and his ilk stands: as stated by Mr Koziol himself. The majority of people who exist in Sydney have no concept of the joys and benefits of living in a country community.

    • Dan says:

      08:32pm | 17/02/11

      latte-sippers? Putting aside the fact that many city folk don’t drink lattes, the fact that you wuld resort to such immature name calling means as far as I’m concerned, you don’t have the right to be taken seriously.

      “Life in a ‘regional’ centre (more regular, down-to-earth type people would refer to it as a counrty town) is full of people-qualities that latte-sippers could never experience.”

      You would know this how? How do you know what people-qualities city folk do or do not experience?

    • acotrel says:

      01:10am | 18/02/11

      I live in the country, and I love a latte. At certain times of the year there is a dance at Warrenbane about 30K from Benalla.  I’ve been invited, however I’ve never gone there.  If you want a social life you have to make an effort, and get into the swing of things.  But the beauty is, it’s there if you want it! If I was still living in Melbourne, I’d be socially isolated.  Big cities can be very lonely.
      I had a lovely experience at the Swanpool picture theatre, a while back.  The movie ‘Crackerjack’ was being shown, and the women from the local bowls club put on the tea and sponge cake, a beer if you wanted it - all very civilised!  Life in the bush can be very nice.

    • LauraBoBaura says:

      02:16pm | 18/02/11

      Lol FarmerJoe - come off it. I grew up in regional NSW, I love the country, and I love the city too. Why does this have to become a city vs country debate.. ‘city slickers’? ‘latte sippers’...

      You make us country folk seem incapable of having an intelligent conversation without resorting to namecalling - albeit unbelievably dull & overused name calling,

      Please. We need to think up some new names to deride each other with. I am so sick of latte sipper & bumpkin.

    • TChong says:

      08:06am | 17/02/11

      “Its just a jump to the Left “( Yay ! ),
      Then a step to the right ” ( WTF ? Boo ! )
                              wink

      Reply

    • Elphaba says:

      08:17am | 17/02/11

      No, if you like to dance, then dance.  Who cares what anyone else thinks?

      I on the other hand, dance under duress.  Duress = alcohol.

      Reply

    • Scotchy says:

      07:06am | 18/02/11

      Yep duress is good, it limbers me up as I cant dance smile

      Oh.. Im a city slicker, but love the country and its hospitality !!

    • Richard the Lionheart says:

      08:37am | 17/02/11

      All school children should learn the progressive Australian Barn Dance before they leave primrary school like I did. Younger generations are now understanding and enjoying Australia Day and Anzac Day and should now learn their “National” dance.  New Australians are always showing off their steps from the old country. Our kids should also honour our dance tradition. Have the PC brigade taken over our schools yet?

      Reply

    • fairsfair says:

      09:25am | 17/02/11

      heal and toe heal and toe slide two three four…

      Thanks for bringing back the memories wink lol.

    • BT says:

      10:24am | 17/02/11

      Ah yes…those were the days. Avoiding hand and eye contact during the “dance” as far as humanly possible in order that no one accused you of being “in love” with someone else of the opposite gender. Enduring the stomach churning humiliation of peer members when your turn came to dance with (oh god) The Ugly One. The thrill of touching The Forbidden Object of One’s Desire…finally! General confusion as to what the point of it all was….my god it’s simply a crime there’s not more of this going on.

    • LauraBoBaura says:

      01:51pm | 17/02/11

      Those were the days, except there was always the kid whose hand you didn’t want to hold because he spent most of his time with his finger up his nose.
      :/

    • acotrel says:

      01:24am | 18/02/11

      BT, I think you must have had a very funny childhood?  Until I read your post, I’d forgotten the joys of adolescence!  These days my wife gets concerned if I’m sitting one out, with a group of women.  I don’t know what that’s all about! I don’t usually get invied to the girls birthday lunches.  They just love to sit and discuss their last curette, and I don’t begrudge them that!

    • LauraBoBaura says:

      09:21am | 17/02/11

      No, no no you can’t be too old to dance… unless you could seriously injure yourself, in that case, just lean on your walker & sway a bit. There are few things in this world I find as fantastic as an old man shuffle.

      Dirty dance, ballroom dance, who gives a toss. I thought one of the best parts of getting older is that you don’t have to care what people thought about you anymore.

      Bugger this ‘growing old gracefully’ malarky. I plan to grow old as ungracefully as possible, spend all the kids inheritance & go out the way I came in, naked & screaming.

      Reply

    • Faz says:

      10:41am | 17/02/11

      Too much information Laura. That last image curdled my latte.

      wink

    • grandma says:

      09:25am | 17/02/11

      In my younger days we used to go to all the old-time dances in the area. We the best dancers and would fight to get behind them so we could follow them. We also knew where the best suppers were. Ahh, memories of the Carapook hall.

      Reply

    • nossy says:

      09:29am | 17/02/11

      Amy I am 60 in May and dance regularly - the honeys love it. Loved Rock N Roll when young and follow that a bit but keep up with some modern stuff. And it keeps you fit too. Heres one of my all time favourites - Chubby Checkers Twist - still popular 50 years on ! The guy in the red coat at 1.16 looks a bit like me but its not.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZAtzcthSxM

      Reply

    • Zoe says:

      10:47am | 17/02/11

      Theres nothing better than going to a wedding or such and just when everyones thinks theyre dancing up a storm - out come a couple who can do the old time rock n roll!  Move over all you pole dancin young uns and stand back in awe! Theres nothing I admire more than groovers like you who put the rest of us - young and old - to shame!

    • nossy says:

      11:33am | 17/02/11

      @Zoe - why thank you Zoe - the good thing Zoe is that Rock N Roll is fun and anyone can learn it - main thing is too have fun !

    • Chinaski says:

      09:47am | 17/02/11

      I’ve been wondering when my days of dancing will start to decline. I’m still in my 20’s so I’m far from concerned. However, when you see people like Carl Cox and Sven Vath (Cox is over 40 and Vath… God knows) still touring and living it up it gives you a new burst of energy.

      Hell, even Farnham’s been doing countless “final” shows, so I say as long as you’ve got the energy, go for it.

      What I hate is people who drone on about how the music playing today is not as good or will never be as good as the music they listened to back in their heyday. This closed-minded and permanently retrospective approach to new music will undoubtedly kill anyone’s enthusiasm for dancing.

      Reply

    • Zoe says:

      10:10am | 17/02/11

      I’m in my 40s and agree with the comment about people not appreciating new music. A lot of people my age are stuck in the 80s. So I find that at parties have a huge mix of music and the more they drink, the more they will dance to newer music. As they start to sit down, throw on some Nutbush or Jimmy Barnes and theyll be back into it!

    • Cate P says:

      12:29pm | 17/02/11

      I’ve nicked a good part of my teenage son’s current playlist (he burned my selections onto cds for me) to play in the car, love it.  Specially Greenday and The Offspring.  Always been a headbanger at heart.  The kids just die laughing when their dad and me break into dance (bit slow and rusty now but ballroomers from way back), then they want to know how to do it.

    • biscuit says:

      08:50am | 18/02/11

      cate, you’re about 10 years too late for green day and the offspring…

    • ZSRenn says:

      10:26am | 17/02/11

      In my early 50’s I love to dance. I may be a bit of an oddity but with a musical background I enjoy all forms of music except Justin Beiber and the ilk. Trance, Electronic, Club, Rock whatever. Throw it at me and I bust a groove.

      I remember in my early 40’s trying to enter a club with clients with whom I had just finished a meeting and the 20 something giant told me I had had too much to drink. My 20 something client tried to point out that I had been in a meeting with them and had nothing to drink. Shrek asked the client “Well what is he on?” then suggested, “The Parachute Club down the road might be a better option.” On entering the “Parachute Club” we realized the real problem as everybody there was over 40. Cries of ageist were bantered about but at the end of the day how do you prove it and is it worth the effort.

      Cut forward 10 years and I find myself doing a lot of business in China. This is a different world altogether and I enjoy going there. Middle age is not a crime it is an honor.  Not only can I dance but am encouraged to do so. On entering a club I am an privileged guest. Foreigners young and old enjoy my company. I find this attitude that once you are over 40 you are not welcome is an Australian one. The only people who have a problem with me being in their company in these venues are young Australians.

      I agree Amy there may be a business model here to create a club for the over 40’s but I for one am not ready to be hidden away in a “Parachute Club” at 50 as a precursor to being locked in an old age prison in my late 60’s. The only reason I can think of is it allows the 20 something’s to maintain the fantasy that they will not age.

      Most countries have a respect for those of more senior years. In Australia we are just wasted space. What does that say about us?

      Reply

    • Dancing Queen says:

      12:03pm | 17/02/11

      Young and old…right… over there a western guy is feted for money and a being a curioisity….get real - old people are terrible to look at when dancing anything other than ballroom. The fact is young dancing is for young virile sexy couples that look good. Anyone else swivelling the hips looks bad and undignified (and in some cases can make onlookers vomit), no matter the delusion. Someone in their 40s who feels they can let go like a naive 20yr old with other 20yr olds has some serious problems!.

    • ZSRenn says:

      03:23pm | 17/02/11

      @ Dancing Queen. When I use the word foreigner in this context I am speaking of Americans, British, Russians, French, Italians, Indian, Romanians, Dutch, Irish, Moroccans, Algerians, Israelis, Belgian, Swiss, Sri Lankans and Canadians. I enjoy the company of this diverse group.

      You see when you are in another country you are the foreigner. ( wei guo ren in China). These are the young and old I am talking about and to these people I am hardly a curiosity.

      I find your attitude disappointingly the Australia only attitude and I feel sad for you that when you approach middle age you and your life partner will no longer feel that you are able to get up and dance when you hear your favorite song and therefore miss out on one of life’s great enjoyments and the fun of free style dancing.

      Next time you see someone vomit and someone old is dancing you should have the person vomiting removed from the club. They have probably had too much to drink and for their own safety should be sent home.

    • Zoe says:

      05:23pm | 17/02/11

      @Dancing Queen…. Nothing sweeter than an old couple who can still waltz around the room in perfect time with each other. Ahh brings a tear to the eye. If Nanna wants to get up for a bit of a groove around good on her. Seriously sad that dancing is only about looking sexy for you. I admit its not good if 40 yr olds start grinding on strangers, ( I know the type youre refering to)  but in most cases by that age its just about having fun. A lot of blokes I know have no rhythm whatsoever, but they get dragged up and always have a great time. I would never sit around bitching about how others dance either.

    • BT says:

      10:33am | 17/02/11

      There’s a simple rule I like to follow. If your dancing includes the clicking together of fingers and clapping of hands, particularly if you have a comb-over and are wearing cheap nylon slacks, it is time to leave the dance floor.

      Reply

    • Zoe says:

      10:55am | 17/02/11

      Sounds like the 70s party we recently had! Sparks flew that night, and I mean that literally, so much nylon! so much daggy dancing.  I like really bad dancers. Makes me feel better.

    • ZSRenn says:

      11:41am | 17/02/11

      Oh I see BT! You are saying that because you have no fashion sense and do not meet your style requirements. You are not allowed to dance either. Not allowed to have fun. Not allowed to enjoy the basic rhythms of music and of life. So now you have joined the thought police.

    • BT says:

      02:06pm | 17/02/11

      ZSRenn get a sense of humour please.

    • ZSRenn says:

      03:00pm | 17/02/11

      Sorry BT I did understand the humor but I am sick of that sterotype being perpetuated. It may have been the case 30 years ago but I would like to think that we of my generation have a little bit more style than that.

    • John says:

      10:51am | 17/02/11

      Total bollocks - my father and his lady friend/partner (seem a bit strange to call her his girlfriend) have been dancing together for 15 years now, in a jazz-rock’n'roll style known as Ceroc, and my dad is 65 this year. They have taught high school kids how to dance for their formals, and have even entered competitions. Anywhere the music has a steady beat, and they can time their moves, they’re dancing - it’s pretty impressive.

      Reply

    • mary monica roche says:

      11:13am | 17/02/11

      one was too old to dance at birth.

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      11:30am | 17/02/11

      Teaching kids at school to dance is bad, cause they already do it from under the wattle trees at the back of the oval with cigarettes in hand when they spot the prefects.
      It’s called the ‘skedaddle’ . And as fast as yer bloody can. (The can-can.)

      Reply

    • Damo says:

      11:37am | 17/02/11

      I wish my 40 year old friends would stop listening to JJJ. Then jumping on Facebook to complain about it.

      Reply

    • ZSRenn says:

      07:55pm | 17/02/11

      Friend me up! I love the J’s and I will give them what for. Your new friend the 50 something!

    • Michael says:

      12:24pm | 17/02/11

      Stephen Fry said that dancing is “a mixture of sexual exhibitionism, strutting contempt, and repellant narcissism”.  He’s so right. Dance may be “an expression of life” but so is music, and if you can’t play piano well, then get off the damn thing!  The dancefloor should be left to dancers - professional dancers. Everyone else just looks like a jerk.

      Reply

    • LauraBoBaura says:

      01:53pm | 17/02/11

      Stephen Fry is just an ugly Marcus Mumford.

    • Dennis Nelson says:

      12:25pm | 17/02/11

      The band 10cc have a new dance , they say you should do the SACRO-ILIAC. especially if you are over 80 yo.Search for it , its funny.

      Reply

    • Steve says:

      12:46pm | 17/02/11

      I’m around 40ish. I worked as a dancer in night clubs 20 years ago and DJed at some of the first rave parties. I still go to clubs and raves. And yeah I still dance. I’d probably wonder if I was getting past it if I hadn’t won first place in a recent dance contest were I was probably the only contestant over 25. smile
      In short - will I stop dancing any time soon? Not likely. My idea of a good night out isn’t getting drunk, taking drugs, chatting up women etc. It’s listening to good music and having a good dance.

      Reply

    • Alan says:

      01:03pm | 17/02/11

      I am 64 and couldn’t care less what the yuppy gen X Y Z’s or whatever think! I am celebrating the fact that I am still alive & kicking at this age - love music, dancing, the gym and riding on my cruiser. I live the motto of the Ulysses Club - growing older disgracefully! Sadly, this goal is something that many of you younger generation will never achieve due to a combination of illicit drugs, fast food, cigarettes, fast cars and rampant stupidity.

      Reply

    • Harquebus says:

      01:08pm | 17/02/11

      If I was stupid enough to install that Flash crap I could watch the video but, I ain’t that stupid.

      Reply

    • Old Bert says:

      01:34pm | 17/02/11

      ‘Fraid so Amy. You mention sequins. Ah, whenever I see sequins on a dress, I look instantly at the wearer. Yes, it was an an optical illusion. Thumbsuckers at checkouts are now wearing sequined shirts, or whatever you call them. Hope they have at least, an appreciation of the past. My instant memory is from Cloudland, Brisbane. Those were memorable years. Many a femme’ head was turned, by the standard of a blokes’ charm, and with the best manners a bloke could muster, and importantly, relied on how far from Cloudland the angel lived.  A curt ‘no’, meant you aren’t in the race, if you didn’t live at Ascot or Hamilton. That’s exaggerating I admit, most girls were wonderful, is why the memory lingers. The Progressive Barn Dance, the Waltz, the Pride of Erin, the Foxtrot, and so on. It was a simpler world, but full of memories one never forgets. What’s going on here?

      Reply

    • Matt says:

      03:43pm | 17/02/11

      At the age of 42 I’m far better at dancing and way more interesting now than I ever was before! Plus more knowledegable about music than at any stage previously. Just keep on moving and improving!

      Reply

    • Zoe says:

      05:09pm | 17/02/11

      Everyone thinks they’re such a rebel when they’re young. They “dont care what others think” They think they’re so original getting that tat or piercing, wearing something edgy and daring! But… they are the first to judge each other. We were the same then. AND when they are our age they will learn what we know now… You actually are more knowledgeable as you get older and you realise life is short, (some havent made it this far) and when you get up and dance you actually really enjoy it instead of just trying to impress those watching.

    • Zdacey says:

      10:42pm | 17/02/11

      Well said, Matt and Zoe both.

      May you have many years of ‘dancing like no-one’s watching’ ahead of you!

    • Ian says:

      04:18pm | 17/02/11

      Dancing is stupid and a waste of time. Nothing was worse than having to learn ridiculous folk dances at school - well, nothing except for the pressure to attend school dances and other pointless social events.

      Reply

    • Just enjoy life says:

      08:18pm | 17/02/11

      Simple solution: dance like nobody’s watching. If you are dancing for fun, it doesn’t matter. You won’t impress people but if you really aren’t trying to impress then what does it matter?

      Reply

    • Zdacey says:

      08:23pm | 17/02/11

      I’m 42, have been taking belly-dancing classes for a couple of years and am pretty bad at it. But I love to dance and my enthusiasm is infectious, if I do say so myself.

      The best moment of this summer was when I spontaneously (ie, under the influence of wine in the summer sun) broke into some bellydancing moves at A Day On The Green (grownup country version of the Big Day Out) with some mates. My 12 year old daughter skulked down and said, “Mum, god, you’re so embarrassing”.

      I had a blast, and my daughter was embarrassed to be seen with me. My work there was done. Ha.

      Reply

    • Brad says:

      06:27am | 18/02/11

      Dancing is for attention seekers. That couldn’t possibly be fun for anyone.

      Reply

    • heaps says:

      07:26am | 18/02/11

      somrbody tell Mick Jagger or Iggy Pop

      Reply

    • M says:

      08:28am | 18/02/11

      Just get out there and enjoy yourself. What other people think of you is none of your business!
      Why do we stop things that are enjoyable for the sake of what others think.
      Even when I see people dancing that cant dance, but are enjoying themselves, I love it…. THEY ARE HAPPY!
      Dont let social rules spoil anything harmless and fun.

      Reply

    • Manson says:

      08:53am | 18/02/11

      The really need to make more places (not counting pubs just dance clubs for adults.

      Even at 30 I feel weird being surrounded by these immature 18year olds.

      Reply

    • Jolanda says:

      08:53am | 18/02/11

      I really don’t care what people think, if I go out and there is music that takes me back I dance because I am dancing for my enjoyment - not for theirs.

      Reply

    • mark of sydney says:

      09:07am | 18/02/11

      With Society branding 40 to be the next 60,And with Society always stating that at 60 your an “Old Man”  well technically speaking wouldn’t the age 40 place you well past Middle age?.
      In all seriousness it doesn’t matter how old you are on the dance floor,its how you feel about yourself.thanks

      Reply

    • Shifter says:

      12:50pm | 18/02/11

      We can dance if we want to
      We can leave your friends behind
      ‘Cause your friends don’t dance and if they don’t dance
      Well they’re no friends of mine

      Reply

    • dizzy blonde says:

      04:03am | 23/02/11

      Yeah, I always say, if 70 is average life span, then 35 is middle aged!
      Life is short even if we do manage to live to 80 or beyond. So, I believe in living life to the fullest. Sure we all see those few people who are out on the dance floor who “think” they are out there “impressing” everyone else, but why let them bother ya.
      You know, I had a real bad case of cancer when I was 22 and it taught me to enjoy every single moment of life. You do not know how long you have to live. I have always loved to dance, now I am, by the grace of God, 53 years old, and I “still” love to dance. My husband and I don’t care one wit what anybody else thinks, we are just out there to enjoy ourselves and get some exercise the “fun” way. I had the wonderful opportunity to go to an Oktoberfest last year with my children—-not the one in Germany, but in Texas—-and when my sweet daughters coaxed me to go out on the dance floor with them I was just “thrilled” they wanted me to join them and they weren’t embarassed to be seen dancing with their old mamma! Maybe there were people there who thought ill of me being out there dancing to “Mustang Sally” with my girls, but I “cherish” the memory of our fun together, especially since we live so many states away from each other and don’t get to see each other but once or twice a year! I think people who love life should do it without worrying about what others think, and those who have a problem with people trying to live life to the fullest and grasp all the happiness they can while they are alive, should go get a life!
      Just my humble opinion. Enjoy the life you have!!:)

      Reply
 
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