Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?

Subject: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:26 AM

helooo, line dancing, wahts all that about then?
just rubbish if you ask me,

my mum and one of her frends go line dancing, and she invite me one day, i said "i'm not going, its crap"
it is crap anyway, its not even proper dancing,
you can do lessons, i think its 1 pound an hour or something, [maybe 2 pound, imn the community centere, but i wouldent even go if it was free, it is daft, waht you think/

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:29 AM

me mam says " you can meet people"!
i fed up of meeting people, i meet people at work, they all moany basterds, i don't like to meet people,
it is better to stay in house an d have a few cans.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:30 AM

Not my scene participation-wise either Jon--but the participants are mustard-keen, and it can be entertaining to watch. It at least gives a use for some of the tripe which afflicts the country-western genre!

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:31 AM

oh.
anyway= i think its a wates of time, and rubbish, and im not going.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:32 AM

OOPS!--Sorry for mis-spelling your nAme jOhn!

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:37 AM

anyway=you can buy "line dancing videos" now, = biggest load of shit i ever heard of!

my mam got one, i think maybe shes going a bit mental, [my mum is about 60 now and getting a bit nuts, i'll have to keep an eye on her]

line dancing my arse!

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Peace
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:38 AM

I like to watch line dancing when couples dance with each other--well, not couples who dance with each other, because that would be four people and if they were not in a line they'd be in a square or a tetrahedron and probably get thrown out--but two individual single--not like single/married, but like single alone--people as single ones dancing with each other not in a line and meet people that way especially when theres no country music playing and stuff.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:42 AM

anyway=my dad dyed, so nobody around to keep an eye on my mum., and stop her doing stupid things, i reckon its my job now, i will keep an eye on her, make sure sje doesent get involved in any more stupid thinhgs.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: ddw
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 01:12 AM

Lighten up, John. Maybe it's not your thing, but it might be just what your mam needs. It's a night out with friends and some music she likes and it's a good way to get exercise, so what's the harm?

I don't like line dancing much either, but if somebody wants to do it, that's OK.

And as for you keeping her from doing stupid things, unless you think she did a lousy job of raising you (and you seem to think you have good sense), maybe you should trust her a bit and let her have her fun.

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 03:37 AM

jOhn is spot on about line dancing, God invented line dancing so Morris dancers could have someone to take the piss out of.
eric

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 06:21 AM

Busby Berkeley must be wetting himself laughing at line dancing wherever he is. However they're happy, and they're off the streets, so enjoy.
John

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: pavane
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 07:12 AM

Is there a reason that American 'dance' styles seem mainly to consist of walking in formation?

(Ex Morris dancer)

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 07:18 AM

Well, there's line-dancing and line-dancing, JOhn. There's shapely young ladies pushing their bottoms out provocatively, that's one kind. Then there's the thought of what it might be like if you were to try it. It wouldnt be the same thing, would it?

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 07:28 AM

jOhn - perhaps they'll be hungry afterwards - what about trying to get curry orders out of them all.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Midchuck
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 08:12 AM

Yes.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Compton
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 08:20 AM

Yes...I think it is as well...But dear old ladies on their own appear to like it..so I suppose it's not complete rubbish.
Almost certainly, Line Dancers think Folk Dancing is rubbish!!.
Different Strokes for Different Folks!!

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 08:22 AM

jOhn, I've got two kids and they've both left home. I'm lucky my missus is still living. We both agree that now we're shot of the little uns we can do what we like and we don't give a bugger what they or anybody else thinks: we reckon we've earned that! If Tim & Bex object, they can look on it as the way to pay us back for all the love time energy and money we've spent on them when they were still at home (and continue to spend now they've left). Give your Mom a break -- get a flat!

Steve (squandering his children's inheritance)

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 08:23 AM

PS I agree about line dancing though. What eric the red said up there.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 08:24 AM

My wife took up line dancing for about a year, as a form of exercise. She got into it big time - I would catch her in the kitchen sometimes, thumbs through the beltloops, prancing around, then looking all embarassed when she realised I was watching. After a year she dropped it though - she said it was full of geriatrics wheezing, and couldn't get a good enough rhythm going. So she's back to walking the dog.

I don't see it as a dance, but just as an aerobic exercise. All the prqncing reminds me of grownups pretending they are Lipizzaner horses. And the Lipizzaners are a lot more graceful. And they don't know any better.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 09:01 AM

Although I think line dancing is total crap, I didn't mean it about morris dancing, Line dancers don't even use dance tunes , they dance to crap c/w songs, morris dancers use real musicians, real dance tunes and it's great fun.
eric

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 09:18 AM

It isn't rubbish to those who love it. And although I couldn't think of a worse way to spend a couple of hours, I say all power to those who get off their butts, socialize and have fun and participate in exercise.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 10:01 AM

Yes Yes Yes

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 10:06 AM

But they could go to folk clubs or folk dance sessions!

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 10:08 AM

My experience was that line dancers had already tried ' proper '
dancing and failed.
eric

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Allan C.
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 10:33 AM

I think El Greko touched on an important aspect of line dancing. It does seem to have evolved out of exercise classes. Who could watch it and not see the similarity? On the one hand, I see it as a prime example of what I don't like about some forms of dancing, i.e., they are more work than fun as well as that they play to the need of some folks to conform. On the other hand, especially with regard to folks who are getting on in years, line dancing stimulates the memory. It involves being able to remember and to perform sequential moves. In addition, it is low-impact aerobic exercise.

I love what Eric said about Morris dancers. One of the primary differences I see between Morris dancing and line dancing is that line dancers seem to take the whole thing much too seriously. Morris dancers always seem to see a bit of humor in what they do. Heck, sometimes they are downright hilarious!

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:34 PM

Joe Bob Briggs (a native of Texas) had this to say on the subject of line dancing "I don't get it! They don't do anything much except try to figure out a way to turn thier feet around backwards. That's the kind of thing that's done by folks who could be outsmarted by a balogns sandwich."

I'm not syaing that I fully agree with Joe Bob, but I can think of a number of ways to spend time and meet people which are more productive. Then again, what do I know? I've been known to work as asquare dance caller fron time to time.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Peterr
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:51 PM

Agree with AllanC about morrismen enjoying it. Ours is a pub side which only exists because of the social side. Ive done the serious bit (about 30 years ago), and the more relaxed attitude may be a function of the age of most morrismen now. Still plenty of fussy bgrs tho'
CanNOT get serious about linedancing as a dance, but as an exercise if they call it dancing then good luck to them - at least theyre doing something.
jOhn, let your mum do it - you can't protect people from themselves ALL the time.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 01:14 PM

'Tain't rubbish if'n ya like it! Yew oughta jest go back to England whar ya belong and leave us plain folks to injoy oursevles in whutever way we chooses!

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Peace
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 02:01 PM

Shillium Watner wud agre weth thet.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 02:08 PM

It's dancing, Jim, but not as we know it.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: GUEST,mAm from Hull
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 02:15 PM

Well, I like line dancing then. If John wants to spend his time in the bottom of a bottle, that his business. Me, I've got a life and I like socializing with other people.

mAm

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 02:31 PM

Right on, mAm -- junior can be a bit of a griper, can't he? Don't let him put you off your fun.

If it brings people together and gets them off their arses moving around, what's wrong with that?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: GUEST,ivor bigginin
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 02:34 PM

Well said mAm !!!!!!! I don't know about the rest of you, but I am getting a bit fed up with this self appointed self opiniated folk guru john from Hull and his cheesy remarks.

There is nothing wrong about any one contributing, be it singing, playing an instrument, dancing in all its forms.Yeh, you are right, it is about having a life,from what I have heard about that tosser there is not much going on in his life except getting pissed and making negative remarks about people having a go.It might be worth asking him the question,does he play sing or dance? if the answer is no to any of these I would suggest he shuts the fuck up.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 03:49 PM

I don't mind line dancers doing it in the privacy of their own clubs but it pisses me off at a cajun gig when I end up dancing with my partner in a corner because the slime dancers have blocked the entire floor to everybody else.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 03:58 PM

I hate line dancing because I am not a tall person and I don't like staring at someone's back or worse all night. It is extremely antisocial in comparison to other forms of folk dancing. It's Ok I guess if you start off in the front ....but then they turn round!!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Frankham
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 04:06 PM

I believe rubbish is rubbish. Line dancing can be fun.

Frank

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Frankham
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 04:09 PM

Most international folk dances are line dances such as the Israeli Hora, the Croation Kolo, the Greek dances and from Macedonia, Xoro,
many Asian dances etc.

It ain't all the hokey pokey.

Frank

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 04:29 PM

I dunno, j0hn...I think you may be missing out on something.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 04:38 PM

Why knock it John from Hull?

It's probably easier to learn than taking spelling lessons.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 04:43 PM

What kind of "line dances" are you taking about? The Hokey Pokey? Obviously none of you have experienced the vigorous and sensual line dances done in Mediterranean countries like Greece. Then you have the Bulgarian dances--whoosh!, but those are complicated footwork and fast. Grapevine steps are only the beginning, there are many others. Some of the line dances are deliberate and paced for anyone to join in, others are quite fast, hard work, much more than anything you'll ever find in your aerobics class. If you've ever done much line dancing (I have, many years ago), then you can't hear one start without wanting to get up and join in. And if you're doing the Bulgarian dances, wear a sturdy belt!

SRS

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Joybell
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 05:25 PM

AllanC and El Greko said what I was going to mention. The idea of line dancing being a form of exercise routine. I want to add that, here in Australia at least, it followed directly on from the aerobic routines popular in the 1980s. I remember performing at a rural show where we were on the program between an exercise group doing "aerobic dancing" and an identical group doing what they called "line dancing". The costumes and the music were the only difference. It was my first sighting of the latter. I said to my True-love, "Remember this moment! We've just witnessed an evolutionary change!"
Footnote - Please don't make me line-dance. I think I'll be one of those 60 year-old women roaming the streets. Joy

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 05:36 PM

J9hn from Keele

Didn't they try to do the longest line dance in the world across the 'Umber bridge in 1994 or sommat. Radio Humerside and a radio in each ear. they got half way.

I've half a mind to do a line dance........

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 05:44 PM

Actually I was told by a 70 year-old lass (after I rubbished LD) that she was a widdow and liked dancing. She hated goin to dances and being stuck like a wallflower. Or worse - needing a partner - having men she didn't fancy choose her - with all the hidden agenda she had no interest in. Or dancing with another woman. Not her scene. Dancing round her handbag at a disco (do they exist now? well not in name anyway).

So she went to a place where anyone could dance, as a singleton, yet be exercising in company to pleasant enough music and no "nudge, nudge"

Know wot I mean?

J9hn - I take it you don't see the world through the eyes of a 70 year-old Great-Grandma. Well I have had that insite and I do see what she means.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand turn, kick, twist, ssssssssschassis, repeat. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: JennieG
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 01:46 AM

C&W line dancers remind me of free range chickens. Step forward peck peck, step back peck peck.
But having said that, I'll defend their right to engage in whatever form of exercise they enjoy. Just because it doesn't appeal to me doesn't make it wrong - the world world be a very dull place if we all liked the same things.

Cheers
Jennie

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: greg stephens
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 03:21 AM

I'm confused by nomenclature here. Someone referred to the hokey-pokey as a line dance. Is the hokey-pokey the same as the English hokey-cokey? because I would call this a circle dance. Or is a circle dance a kind of line-dance, but bent round? Or alternatively, is the hokey-pokey danced in a straight line in America? Could someone give us the facts?

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 03:45 AM

Nice enuf music????????? NOOOOooooooooooooooo!!!!
It's worse than the dancing bit

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 04:19 AM

Guest ivor begginin, jOhn cast out his line and you bit, come here often enough and you will wise up.
and Frankham the Hora is a circle dance.
eric

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 04:50 AM

Ditto the Greek/Macedonian dances - they too are circle ones, often passing the "led" to the next dancer at the end of each tune and so on. No line dances anywhere in the Balkans or the Med, that I am aware of.

The way I see it, line dancing is about conforming (I think AllanC said that). They all must move together as if pulled by a single string. And that is all - this is the target, no more than that. Nothing about grace of step or movement, nothing about expressing feeling with movement.

While in Mediterranean, and Jewish, and Balkan dances, uniformity of steps is simply meant to provide a backcloth for the intricate extra moves of the leading and trailing dancers, and expression of feeling and mood plays a very important part.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 04:50 AM

But if it's your bag...welcome to it.

Subject: RE: Is 'Line Dancing' rubbish?
From: Bohdran Killer
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 04:57 AM

I can't even think of anything bad enough to say about it, and why don't they do it to proper dance tunes instead of feckin awful country and western songs ?
Killer