 the male dancer
written by Anth on 08.01. at 18:51:09 - as answer to: Is something wrong with a man that wears tights? by Chuck at Don't throw away a fantastic hobby (& perhaps career) just because a few jerks are having a go at you. I know it's easy for me to say that, but I've been through years of having the piss taken out of me (for other things, not ballet, I admit) and it DOES END after school. (I'm 24 now.) Teenagers always have, always do, and always will give each other a hard time for any reason they can find, not just ballet; but they're trying to make themselves feel better about the fact they haven't got the guts or the ability to do what you do. In a few year's time, they'll be worse off, physically and mentally, for not having followed a discipline like ballet. Make sure you don't lose out too! I didn't take up dance until quite recently (though I _really_ wish I'd started earlier) largely because I was put off by the stereotyping. A few of the postings I've read, in this column and others, don't do much to dispel the popular myths either (no offence intended to anyone). But as you say, it is a perfectly respectable activity for everyone. It's a shame that many people think that ballet is an odd pursuit for a guy; I confess I used to think so too, and now I realise I was quite wrong - ballet is as tough as any other sport, and if your 'friends' don't believe that, invite them along to a class. Regarding some of the particular problems you mentioned: if people are staring at you, they may be trying to copy a move. If it's persistent or indecent, maybe you should have a quiet word with your teacher & ask to be put at opposite ends of the barre from the offender? But I don't think you should be in a class where there's enough spare time for people to stand and gawp at one another; I find I have to concentrate so hard on what I'm doing that after class I can't even remember who was standing next to me! Anyway, I don't know if I've been much help, but all I can say is: keep going. I suspect that if you like ballet now, you'll end up doing it when you're older, so don't miss out on the intervening years. Anthony Answers to this message:
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