Why Dancing is an Essential Man Skill

Gentlemen, can you imagine anything hotter than a group of ladies twisting, twirling, and hip-whirling on the dance floor? (We’re sure you can, but stick with us here.) They’re having the time of their lives, rocking out to music and letting their inhibitions go. But there’s something missing: where are all the guys?

Much to women’s dismay, dancing has somehow come to be viewed as a no-fly-zone by many men. We often hear men say that they simply “can’t dance” or are doubtful that their dancing will increase their appeal to women. By default many guys opt to stay at the bar or assume the wallflower stance around the dance floor. Not a recipe for a great time or for making connections.

While many men agree that dancing is a desirable activity that will help them connect with women, there’s the added challenge of learning how to dance in a non-awkward setting. No one is stoked to join a basic hip hop class filled with kiddies. We’ve sought to address the matter of “how” with The 8Count, but the “why bother?” question deserves extra attention.

We’ve spelled out a few motivating factors to get you out of your seat and dusting off your shoulders on the dance floor.

Dancing is an unmatched way to spice up a night

Chatting at the bar and nursing cocktails is entertaining for the first portion of the night. But there’s a reason that most social events segue into dance parties — we humans need a way to kick the fun-meter up a notch. Dancing presents an awesome opportunity to get a little closer, crank up the heat, and leave the real world in the background. Whether you’re out with a special someone, or trying to meet someone special for the night, making the transition from bar banter to dance floor swagger will allow the chemistry to build.

Dancing shows that you’re attuned to your body (and hers…)

Ever notice dancing couples that look like they’re in the middle of overly-clothed foreplay? They’re onto something. At its core, dancing is bodily movement to rhythm, not unlike one of our other favorite carnal past times. Showing the ability to relax into your body, feel rhythm, and receive her movements is the epitome of sexy. There are few better (socially-acceptable) strategies for putting the horizontal mambo on a woman’s mind.

Dancing presents a rare chance to show your lighter side

We dedicate a great deal of our social energy to meeting expectations and upholding our image. Dancing presents a unique opportunity to focus on enjoying the moment and letting some silly recklessness take hold. So go ahead, twist and drop it low. Pop those shoulders. Shake what your papa gave ya. Tapping into your goofier side is not only more fun for you — it’s highly attractive to women who are also seeking an opportunity to let loose and laugh along with you. Set a light-hearted tone, stay tuned into her moves and body language, and see where the rhythm takes you both.

Dancing in social contexts is an opportunity to make and deepen connections. It asks us to show off a side of ourselves that we may not normally advertise in order to share great moments with other people. In taking that risk, we’re opening ourselves up to get turned down at times, get rewarded at others, and lead a full-throttle life along the way.