A Male Stepper’s Perspective: Should a Woman Ask a Man To Dance?
This topic was discussed widely on the Facebook page of one of the promoters in the Steppin’ community, which was geared more towards female steppers, and males were encouraged to participate in the discussion. The primary issue was female steppers being upset at not being asked to dance by the gentlemen at events. Here is my response to the question.
I think this question was geared more towards female steppers, even though you posed it to steppers in general, so I’d like to address the topic based upon my experience. There was a time in my Steppin’ tenure that I felt compelled to try to get to every woman I could at a set because I was keenly aware of the man shortage. Yet, despite my most noble efforts, inevitably someone would remind me before the night ended that I hadn’t danced with them. Most of these women could tell I was trying to work the room and would tell me they saw it, understood it, and would try to catch me next time. I would then respectfully tell them that they need to come and get me if they want a dance because I simply can’t be everywhere. And what can you do when once you’ve finished a dance someone is immediately tapping you on your shoulder asking if they can get the next one, or you have women lined up yelling: “I’m next!!”?
I try to accommodate as many people as I can when I’m out, sometimes to the dismay of my significant other who is very patient and understands completely. I try to never say no because I know how it feels to be turned down…I got it a lot initially and I didn’t like it at all. There’s also nothing wrong with having traditional values, but they may not serve you well as a female at a set. I’ve also heard many a woman say that the experienced ladies or the cute ones (or the cute/seasoned ones) seem to get most of the dances – I hear this all the time and there’s SOME truth to it, but I’m not buying that mindset entirely.
Ladies, if you know there’s a shortage of men at the set, develop a strategy for how you can get to every person you want to dance with…THEN WORK YOUR STRATEGY! If you wait for me to ask you, it may never happen because I’m too distracted trying to figure out how to be accommodating to everyone asking, how I’m going to keep my significant other happy while doing so, how do I change up my style or flow to dance with this person or that person, when can I get water or even get to the restroom, when will I be able to dance with the folks I want to dance with, especially on the songs that I really like, or who was it that I promised a dance that I need to get to, etc.
If a gentleman has acquired a level of proficiency which makes him a “preferred dance” at a set, you should expect his dance card to be full before he walks in the door. You should also expect that women will compete for his attention because they want a good dance and you can’t blame them or the gentleman for that. You’ll have to get in where you fit in to get the dance you want.
What I no longer allow women to do, especially if I perceive that they have personal issues (esteem, perception, etc.), is to make me feel guilty for not dancing with them. I attend sets to dance…I dance because it makes ME happy…and I alone am responsible for MY happiness. No one has the right to make me feel guilty about doing what makes me happy, and I simply can’t and won’t allow you to do it…it’s wrong and it’s a mood killer. And most likely, you won’t get a dance from me in the future because I didn’t care for your personal disposition if you approached me disrespectfully. Finally – sorry for the lack of brevity y’all – SOME OF MY ABSOLUTE BEST DANCES HAVE COME FROM WOMEN WHO ASKED ME! I don’t know why, but this has been the case consistently. So you just might want to reconsider your position on who’s doing the asking…because in the end, it’s about the quality of the dance you’re getting. Sometimes “you have not because you ask not”.
What do you think? Is it ok for a woman to ask a man to dance? Leave a comment below and feel free to share this with others!
Thank you. I’m not afraid to ask and I love to dance. Because I’m not known I have received some strange looks but then we’re all happy at the end of the dance. Sometimes i get a second go round. Peace!
You’re welcome. I’ve found that sometimes it may be better to not be known and be a surprise to the person you’re dancing with. If you got a second dance, I would venture to say that you made a positive impression. Keep dancing and having fun!! 🙂
Hi, Victor. Thank you for this post. I’m a new stepper and wondered what the etiquette was for this. I was told that the woman should say “would you like to lead me in this dance?” when asking a man to dance. I like that. It keeps the roles aligned – the guy is your leader, so it seems appropriately respectful. What do you think?
That’s a bit formal for me Donna, but if it works for you fine. I’m content with the question “Would you like to dance?”, or “May I have this dance?” but I’ve been asked a variety of ways and it goes without saying who will be leading the dance (I would think it’s a given, so there’d be no need to ask me to lead you – I’m leading, The roles are aligned, period end of story). I know that for some women this is hard to do, so I try to make their request as simple as possible for them to relieve any awkwardness or stress they might feel for asking. At the end of the day, I don’t care how I’m asked to dance as long as it’s done respectfully. 🙂
I totally agree with you.
Thank you!
Hey, I think it is ok. I would hope we as women are beyond these types of stereotypes. Women today are strong and assertive when it comes to most things in this world and I would hope the same goes for when they are at a set.
I agree. At the sets I attend the women have no problem at all asking a man for a dance. In my opinion, that is as it should be. Thank you for sharing your perspective! 🙂
I agree with ya and thank you! Some women expect the man to ask them to dance and if they don’t it’s complain, complain, complain about everything right down to the location of the table, the lighting, the room is too small, this event is not for her, everybody there is stuckup, or she’ll start texting on her phone and on and on and on.
Your attitude can be seen and felt by the man. Who wants to be bothered by all that drama. I don’t want to sit next to that type of person much less watch a man’s face while he’s dancing with her. Well, yes I do, it’s rather comical! But long story short, you came there to dance, make yourself available or go ask!!
LOL!! Let’s hope we can have better attitude adjustments from the Queens who don’t quite understand the logistics of navigating thru a stepper set. Thank you for sharing your perspective!