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AIBU?

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Original poster

Why do people dance?

128 replies

pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 20:35

There wasnt a category for this to go in so apologies..
Ok i know I'm going to sound a little bit weird now, but its been bothering me.
Why when people hear music do they start waving their arms and legs around?
Is it a mating ritual still? Do people want to be admired for their dexterity?
Does dancing make people feel a certain way?
Why?

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 04/07/2025 20:57

ThePoshUns · 04/07/2025 20:55

I can’t help myself. If I hear music I move and dance.

Same.

DH thinks it’s hilarious to put on certain songs and see how long it takes before I start shaking my bum.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 04/07/2025 20:57

I imagine that it's just because it's fun and it brightens your mood (I'm thinking of the dreary school days which were immediately brightened by throwing each other around the gym during Scottish country dancing)...

I like watching other people dance, too, especially when it is elegant dancing, like ballet and ballroom.

MuckFusk · 04/07/2025 20:58

It's just fun for a lot of people. Why make it any more complicated than that? You don't like it and that's fine. It exists in all cultures, which should tell you that there isn't anything weird about it. For some it's artistic expression as well, and for others a form of exercise.
I have always danced. For me it's like an explosion of pure joy.

ThePoshUns · 04/07/2025 20:59

Merryoldgoat · 04/07/2025 20:57

Same.

DH thinks it’s hilarious to put on certain songs and see how long it takes before I start shaking my bum.

Show quote history

I love nothing more than dancing around the kitchen to my favourite tunes all on my lonesome

YellowGrey · 04/07/2025 20:59

It's because they enjoy it OP.

TrainGame · 04/07/2025 20:59

OP do you feel nothing?

Nothing at all?

Radionowhere · 04/07/2025 21:00

I hate dancing. I have zero rhythm. End up feeling very self conscious and find myself trying to look like I'm enjoying myself. Dreadful.

Original poster
pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 21:01

vodkaredbullgirl · 04/07/2025 20:45

Why do people have dogs and now, why do people dance 😆

I know, so many parts of human behaviour I really dont understand. Kissing..kissing is another one

OP posts:
ScratCat · 04/07/2025 21:01

Excepting proper dancing, I always think people look absolutely ridiculous when they’re on a dance floor. Especially women who do that silly stepping one foot in and out.

I used to do modern dance as a teen, and I really loved that, but the jigging on the spot type of stuff we do at weddings isn’t really dancing.

I still do it, and my husband can’t actually be persuaded to get off a dance floor, but I do think how ungainly it looks. Not many people can move to music and look good.

TroysMammy · 04/07/2025 21:02

WorkCleanRepeat · 04/07/2025 20:40

I absolutely hate dancing. I don't think there is anything enjoyable about it. Apparently I'm in the minority though.

I'm in your tribe.

whynotmereally · 04/07/2025 21:03

I love dancing. I took lessons as a child but I also love th free abandonment of just dancing to music. It’s the best feeling ever. Sadly I have chronic pain and can’t dance anymore. I really miss it.

Original poster
pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 21:03

Highlighta · 04/07/2025 20:46

I don't know about dexterity OP.

I love a little party for one in my kitchen while rummaging up some supper. But I'm dyspraxic so can't hold a beat or have any rhythm.

Oh lol same..the dexterity i mean, literally just tripped over myself. I knew i was there..

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 21:07

Screamingabdabz · 04/07/2025 20:51

Someone once told me that people dance in the same way they have sex. Once you know that, you never look at people dancing in the same way again! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Oh wow..now I'm going to look at dancing people even weirder lol

OP posts:
Velmy · 04/07/2025 21:11

Whenever I'm in a public situation involving music, people and an open floor (ideally someone else's wedding), I stand front and center, throw my head back and bellow...

"ADMIRE MY DEXTERITY, AND BE PREPARED TO MATE WITH ME!!!"

...before busting out my best Macarena.

Original poster
pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 21:12

parietal · 04/07/2025 20:53

From an anthropology point of view, dance is ancient and found in all cultures. It is intrinsically rewarding to move in time to a beat - for cockatoos and other animals as well as humans. And showing off to the opposite sex can also be part of it.

a recent big study suggests joining dance classes is better for depression than many antidepressants.

and the good thing is, there are many types of dance. If salsa does suit you, try Scottish country dancing or something else.

Thanks for your imput, do you think we have mostly evolved beyond this? Why do we not see royalty grinding?

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 21:13

Velmy · 04/07/2025 21:11

Whenever I'm in a public situation involving music, people and an open floor (ideally someone else's wedding), I stand front and center, throw my head back and bellow...

"ADMIRE MY DEXTERITY, AND BE PREPARED TO MATE WITH ME!!!"

...before busting out my best Macarena.

NICE MOVES

OP posts:
LollyWillow · 04/07/2025 21:13

I think this is a really interesting question. I love music, any kind, and I will tap my toes, so on one level I appreciate a beat, but I find dancing absolutely mystifying and always have. I really don't understand why or how people do it. Yeah, I do understand that they do it because they enjoy it and in some ways I envy that, especially when I am the only person who doesn't jump up and dance when I'm in a crowd, but basically I feel no need or urge to move rhythmically to music and I find that a bit puzzling, it's like there's something everyone else has and I don't.
And it's not because I'm shy or self conscious, I just don't get it.

ExquisiteSocialSkills · 04/07/2025 21:16

I did ballet as a child and I loved it. I also did a LOT of dancing in clubs and parties in my teens and twenties and I loved it then too. Dancing with a big crowd of people to fantastic music is a wonderful shared human experience. I also jig about in the kitchen while waiting for the kettle to boil.

Original poster
pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 21:18

PersephonePomegranate · 04/07/2025 20:51

Music and dance is a uniquely human love that has always existed

I know of domesticated birds that respond to music too, either by cheeping or bopping and moving when particular songs come on. I cant think of any other animal, though 😂

Yes they are very curious

OP posts:
DarkForces · 04/07/2025 21:19

I love to dance and since I hit mid 40s don't really give a shit what people think. I don't dance like I have sex though. What a weird thought

PotatoBreadForTheWin · 04/07/2025 21:19

vodkaredbullgirl · 04/07/2025 20:45

Why do people have dogs and now, why do people dance 😆

I don’t understand why people dance or why they have dogs 🤣

Original poster
pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 21:20

LollyWillow · 04/07/2025 21:13

I think this is a really interesting question. I love music, any kind, and I will tap my toes, so on one level I appreciate a beat, but I find dancing absolutely mystifying and always have. I really don't understand why or how people do it. Yeah, I do understand that they do it because they enjoy it and in some ways I envy that, especially when I am the only person who doesn't jump up and dance when I'm in a crowd, but basically I feel no need or urge to move rhythmically to music and I find that a bit puzzling, it's like there's something everyone else has and I don't.
And it's not because I'm shy or self conscious, I just don't get it.

This is how i feel! Thank you xx

OP posts:
PractisingMyTelekenipsis · 04/07/2025 21:20

Screamingabdabz · 04/07/2025 20:51

Someone once told me that people dance in the same way they have sex. Once you know that, you never look at people dancing in the same way again! 🤦🏻‍♀️

I can confirm that this is not true!

Chungai · 04/07/2025 21:20

pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 21:12

Thanks for your imput, do you think we have mostly evolved beyond this? Why do we not see royalty grinding?

Show quote history

You probably do see leaders in other cultures dancing

It's just in this country we're hideously repressed

LittlleMy · 04/07/2025 21:23

MrsO3 · 04/07/2025 20:46

This is a really odd thread.
I don’t automatically start ‘waving my arms and legs around’ as soon as I hear music (e.g. on the radio) but I do feel like dancing in certain situations such as parties for example. It’s about the atmosphere, situation and energy in the room. I wouldn’t start dancing down the aisles in a supermarket along to music but I would certainly dance at a wedding or birthday party celebration with friends/family.
I personally LOVE music and if there are certain up-beat songs that I like then I just feel a need to dance as it brings out a happy energy in me. Other times, music can make me thoughtful/feel sad/nostalgic etc. In that particular situation I wouldn’t dance.

Disagree! I love it when there’s offbeat and random threads and must admit it is an interesting Q why as humans we dance. Even young babies instinctively will smile and bop and then there’s those literal newborns actually crying and getting emotional to sad classical music - absolutely fascinating. Also as a PP said animals will respond also almost humanlike in some instances like cockatoos 😊