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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to say NO! DH wants to start Morris dancing troupe.

162 replies

DeeDee2323 · 04/03/2022 20:32

DH wants to start a Morris dancing troupe. I must say that I don't think it is something that will go down particularly well in our part of Fulham (the expression lead balloon comes to mind).

AIBU to say NO! Help please!

OP posts:
Fernandina · 04/03/2022 23:37

Love it!

TheVanguardSix · 04/03/2022 23:45

God if my husband took up Morris dancing, my ovaries would shrivel up and voluntarily eject themselves from my body hollering, "You are no longer breed worthy!" as they'd slide past him on the outside. Grin

grumpymummy72 · 05/03/2022 00:06

I dated a Morris dancer for a while from a troupe mentioned above. Even though quite a bit older than me, great stamina Wink

JimmyDurham · 05/03/2022 00:10

He'll need to make it clear where his group stands on the "Can women morris dance?" debate.

ErrolTheDragon · 05/03/2022 07:15

[quote LifeWithBellsOn]For all the PP saying that the England rugby team should respond to the All Blacks Haka with a morris dance - it's sort of been done

[/quote] ExcellentGrin
AlisonDonut · 05/03/2022 07:18

@Grendalsmum

My relatives are in a goth morris side - it's awesome!
A good friend of mine too...she loves it.
Silvercatowner · 05/03/2022 07:20

I used to go out with a Morris dancer. They have to be very fit!!!

Musmerian · 05/03/2022 07:22

I’m with Bernard Shaw on this one.

Thissucksmonkeynuts · 05/03/2022 07:30

Another vote for YABU, it's side note troupe.
Why wouldn't you want him to get involved with something that keeps the menfolk fit and nimble?

Birdy474 · 05/03/2022 07:32

Morris dancing looks naff, very Ann Twacky. Can't he start a proper dancing group, salsa or kizomba etc?

MeanderingGently · 05/03/2022 07:33

Why on earth not? It's fine, I can't see your problem with it. And in any case, why do you get to veto it? Would you like it if he banned you from having an interest or hobby?

DrSbaitso · 05/03/2022 07:34

@Birdy474

Morris dancing looks naff, very Ann Twacky. Can't he start a proper dancing group, salsa or kizomba etc?
Why is Morris dancing not proper dancing?
Trainbear · 05/03/2022 07:37

Would you rather he went pole dancing?

Heronwatcher · 05/03/2022 07:37

This sounds brilliant and I am sure that the good people of Fulham (many of whom read country life on account of their second and third homes in the Cotswolds) would welcome it with open arms.

rainbowandglitter · 05/03/2022 07:47

@TheVanguardSix

God if my husband took up Morris dancing, my ovaries would shrivel up and voluntarily eject themselves from my body hollering, "You are no longer breed worthy!" as they'd slide past him on the outside. Grin
This! I can't think of anything less attractive than a man Morris dancing.
longwayoff · 05/03/2022 07:57

Excellent. Refer him to Hammersmith, just up the road from you. 🎶

Birdy474 · 05/03/2022 08:03

Not sure but there are videos on YouTube 👀

LibrariesGiveUsPower · 05/03/2022 08:13

@ellieQ

Only banned with women present. It’s sexual morrisment.

dancinfeet · 05/03/2022 08:16

@Fernandina you misunderstand me, this is precisely my point- that Morris dancing is a traditional style with deep rooted history- I was trying to establish whether the OP’s DH knew anything whatsoever about Morris Dance, or if he was planning to do a poor imitation copied from YouTube videos or the like. Kind of like when people try to imitate tap dancing (who have never taken a tap class) and do a random scuffle/bang on the floor- if the OP’s DH is honestly starting up a Morris side then it should be represented as a traditional folk dance and not as a mickey take.

Jessicabrassica · 05/03/2022 08:19

What style of morris?

Drinking beer, free access to festivals and no requirement to wear lycra. What's not to like? I'd encourage him - but he may end up with a time consuming hobby...

AuntieStella · 05/03/2022 08:35

@DeeDee2323

DH wants to start a Morris dancing troupe. I must say that I don't think it is something that will go down particularly well in our part of Fulham (the expression lead balloon comes to mind).

AIBU to say NO! Help please!

But Fulham Palace Park is known for the year when a Morris troupe danced their way round the May Day parkrun

Went down brilliantly!!

And of course you don't get to veto his activities, just as long as he doesn't get to veto yours (assumining it doesn't eat into your time too much)

Gonnagetgoing · 05/03/2022 08:44

@cockeyedoptimist - that was me! Grin there are so many Morris dancers in various troops there! But agreed OP’s DH would love if there! It’s not a bad family bank holiday - if a bit pagan but you can easily escape to
the old town, bars etc to escape the Morris dancers.

To whoever said they’re sexy - well most are masculine - but if you see loads of them dancing around for days on end with the sticks and bells the sexiness wears thin. They did like a drink Wine too but nowt wrong with that!

georgarina · 05/03/2022 08:51

Why is it up to you? Why can't he do it? Do you think it's naff in that he's trying to be 'quirky' or is it a genuine interest?

Anyway, it's not up to you. And being embarrassed because 'what will the neighbours say'? God, you have one life!

Whatterywhat · 05/03/2022 08:57

It sounds bloody brilliant, embrace it you miserable gonk Grin

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 05/03/2022 09:01

@Birdy474

Morris dancing looks naff, very Ann Twacky. Can't he start a proper dancing group, salsa or kizomba etc?
I suspect that people find it ‘naff’ only because it’s quintessentially English. If it were from any other country’s folk heritage they’d find it quaintly charming.

I love Morris Dancers - last saw them perform outside a favourite pub in Lyme - a decided plus for that evening.

Funnily enough, when we lived in the Middle East, in a mixed expat community - some Brits and others but most Greek Cypriots - one of the Brit blokes started a Morris Dancing troupe, and two of the Greek Cypriots were enthusiastic joiners.