How to Spot a Dancer

As October 1st, World Ballet Day passes again for another year, so it only seems fitting to write another article about dance. The average Joe probably didn’t have a huge red circle around October 1st on his calendar, but for dancers around the world, October 1^st provides a couple of options. But first let me explain; World Ballet Day is a day where some of the most famous companies around the world live broadcast their company classes and rehearsals. What is usually private and confidential is available for the world to see. So as I mentioned, there are a couple of options… Option one: you can order pizza, eat ice cream all day and cry to yourself in jealousy as you watch the most beautiful people you’ve ever seen. Option two: you could use the live stream as motivation to go take a class yourself and work harder than ever. What did I do? Well I have to admit, I contemplated the first option with my roommate for a while. We listed all the food we were going to eat and how much we were going to hate ourselves afterwards. But, after watching the Australian Ballet at midnight on October 1st, I decided to set my alarm extra early so I could get to class and warm up. After a full day of dance I came home, turned on the live stream and made macaroni and cheese.

I am a dancer. Here are 8 ways you can tell someone is a dancer:

Obsession of reflection:

Whenever they pass a mirror or see a reflection of themselves (especially through windows on the street), they always look at themselves. They take every opportunity to check out their bodies and appearance.

Excessive Laundry:

They do laundry like 3 times a week because they have 3-4 outfits per day.

The Walk:

Let’s be honest they look like a duck. The toes are pointed out to the side and its a little stiff. You almost want to do the kick behind the kneecap thing just to see if their knees can bend more.

Food habits:

They always eat healthy around you, but for some reason when you look in the freezer the next day half the pint of ice cream is gone. However, they will deny ever even knowing it was there.

The schedule:

They’re either in class, leaving early to go to class, taking an extra class, or stretching after class.

Can’t sit still:

They fidget constantly. You can’t even watch a movie with them because they keep moving around switching their positions because “they aren’t comfortable”

The way they sleep:

Both legs are never just down straight in a beautiful sleeping beauty position. They are in a passe position (making the number four with their legs), sprawled out on the bed or laying flat on their stomach.

The stretching:

If they have an opportunity to sit on the floor they will gladly take it. Before you know it they are sitting there with their legs sprawled all over the place. It looks ridiculous, but don’t worry….they’re stretching.

Lack of real clothes:

You find that their wardrobe is basically composed of black stretchy things. You can’t seem to find jeans but there are 100 leggings, some of which are the same brand just multiple pairs.

So for all of the non-dancers out there who may appreciate dance but do not understand, its ok. I know, it can get a little weird. I mean we hold onto a barre with basically no clothes on and point our feet. We slick our hair back so tight we will probably get receding hair lines and the best part about it we can’t wait to stand on our toes. It totally makes sense, right? If you don’t have any friends who are dancers or know of anyone, I promise they are all around you and if you look hard enough for the right signs you’ll usually be spot on.

• By Hannah Bush, Author of Ballet Ettiquette

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