Learn to Salsa with Two Left Feet Singapore

Why do many guys seem uninterested in learning or doing shines?

Adeline (Goh) says:

Well.. not just guys are reluctant.. some girls are too.. and I think it's
'coz you have to face the mirror to really perfect your moves.. and many do feel conscious about it... For example.. if you've a room with wall sized mirrors (dance studios e.g.) full of people.... everyone will probably only steal glances to check their own appearances, check that everything is in place and then use the mirror mostly to check out the others...

I believe that you have to be really confident of yourself to stand in front of the mirror, right there in front of everyone. I think people are in general shy to be caught checking their appearances thru reflections (e.g.. while waiting for the train.. etc... ) afraid to be seen as a vain person perhaps... when in actual fact, no one is really quite bothered about what you're doing.

I believe it's all in the mind.. people are just conscious about their looks, physique...we only spot the flaws when we look at ourselves in the mirror... and until we learn to accept ourselves as what we are, where we are totally comfortable with the reflection we see, I believe there would always be a majority of people out there that are less interested in learning thru their reflections. then again... it's just my 10cents worth... what do you think?

Kelvin (Yee) says:

These are a few reasons:

- being stuck with the mentality that "I'm not the kind who can move very well, or jiggle very well."

- When he lets go of the gal and shines, he feels that the whole world is looking at him. Stress!

- Stressful and lazy to learn and memorize shines footwork.

- some ladies in Singapore (don't know about else where) say "Don't do that anymore" when I shined for 2-3 bars only and then picked her up. Quite discouraging. Either she thinks guys who shine are show offs or I suck so badly that she is embarrassed.

- feeling clumsy when starting to learn shines--- it is like that when you are not used to something. Weight transfer technique is what it takes. You are not born clumsy.

- he thinks he does not look good when he practices shines in the mirror---well, very few people can look good when learning shines as a beginner unless you have a dance background; or Zouk background.

Mary says:

I don't think this only applies to the guys. I think many ladies are uninterested in doing shines, or perhaps I should say afraid. i initially had the same disinterest in shines. I thought it ridiculous to be doing a bunch of steps which are memorized. But later on, I realized the trick to getting over it. here's my tips:

- treat shines like dancing at the disco. I never know what I'm doing half the time. honestly. I just tap here tap there, Suzy Q here and there. Ha ha. now my secret's out.

- treat shine as a time when you really interact with your partner. Just basically have fun. here's another secret. Watch your partner and follow exactly what he/ she is doing. Viola! Interaction! and you don't have to stress about your steps too.

Jean (Lee) says:

Ha ha... I find this question very amusing because many guys I danced with are actually VERY into shines! (In fact, too much!) So much so that, I have to think and prepare a few shines at hand. Anyway, I guess most guys do not like shines because they think shines are "girly" (which, is of course not true) or too "loud". And it does seem to me that the guys who shine are usually in the "expert" league.

Eric says:

The main reason I feel is probably guys aren't that comfortable with their own bodies. In that some might not be so confident of their bodies and how they can move. Thus already in their minds they feel that its not possible or its very girly, not manly enough. So I suppose that counts as the main reason why guys are not interested in learning (kind of a misconception).

Marcus says:

Maybe I am not the typical guy but I certainly do like to learn shines. if a guy seem uninterested, maybe is because they find it to be awkward or inadequate. Inadequate because their body may not be fluid. just my half cent worth :)