The Editors:
We are not sure if you received the message — with the government shutdown and all, the feds may have not sent you an update on time — but the year is 2013, not 1800. We typically do not dance like they did in the “old days” because we do not live in the “old days.” We live our lives controlled by the trends and ideas of our time. Most of our generation would prefer dancing solo or grinding as opposed to the classy, elegant dancing of our grandparents’ generation. Sadly, we are not characters from Little Women or Pride and Prejudice who attend balls and dance the polka every fortnight.
Ballroom dancing has faded out because not many people know how to do it. In the past, you were taught either by your family, or you were required to go to lessons either in school or at a special school for manners. It was the social etiquette of the time. Unfortunately, there is no emphasis on manners or proper etiquette in modern times. At Homecoming you will see twerking, grinding and the kind of dancing probably illegal in several states, which reflect the music tastes of our time. Those of us who favor the more classical styles of dancing will just have to stick it out in the meantime.
Traditional ballroom dancing has been “uncool” for a long time. The 1920s had the Foxtrot and the Charleston, the 1950s had swing dancing and today we have grinding. The advent of disco and rave also helped kick the formalities of ballroom to the curb. I guess you could say it’s all been leading up to this moment — the Poly High School Homecoming dance of 2013.
However, you can choose to be “uncool” and waltz like there’s no tomorrow at homecoming. Truth be told, there is nothing wrong with being a little old-fashioned.