Prepare yourselves ladies and gents as I dip one of my supposedly nimble toes into the realm of blog writing. This first attempt will be on a topic with which I have a great deal of familiarity… being a nerd. First, let me list my credentials on the topic so you can be assured you’re dealing with a fellow nerd. I’m a self avowed superhero enthusiast, former video game addict (I just don’t have the time right now or I would be still), and probably the most compelling credential, a former Mathematics major (basically what everyone stereotypically pictures when they think “nerd”. And yes, I was President of my College Math Club. GO MATHLETES!!). Now, there are millions of reasons dance lessons are awesome for “nerds”, but I’ll do my best to limit this to just the top 5.
Top 5 Reasons Why All Nerds Need to Take Dance Lessons
Written by Brandon Perpich
Atten-TION! (Posture)
I have been there. Countless hours in front of the tv with controller in hand, playing a game for 12-16 hours straight… or being up all hours of the night because you just HAVE to figure out the next math proof. Anyway, all those countless hours hunched over a book or computer screen are absolute TORTURE on your back. Have you ever wanted to be six inches shorter? Unless you’re over 6’7″, the answer is probably no. Staying like that all of the time actually makes you shorter, or at least appear a lot shorter. In dancing you get to do things like stand up straight. Standing up straight not only makes you look more confident, it’s great for your overall health. On to Number 2!!
People!?!? (Social Reasons)
Eh… talking to your friends while playing the newest version of Call of Duty only slightly counts as a social activity. Dancing is one of the few activities left where you actually hold someone and possibly talk to them for three minutes straight (THE HORROR!!!!)… without looking at your cell phone (believe me, I tried, it doesn’t work very well). Being a well adjusted member of society unfortunately includes talking to people once in a while. Not to mention that by dancing, you have a kick-butt conversation starter for everyone you meet in the future!
New Person You Just Met: “Why Hello there, what do you do for fun?”
You: “Oh, me?! Nothing much, just a little something called ChaCha”
New Person You Just Met: “WHAT!?!?” *Face melts from shock….”That is so cool!!”
Let’s move it, move it to Number 3!
Cha-CHING!! (Work Reasons)
Okay, I’m kind of piggy backing off of Number 2 here, but it’s still important. Yes… people are becoming more and more secluded because of cell phones, video games, etc. That means that having superior social skills may just set you apart from any other qualified candidate up for a promotion/new job. Imagine you and some other person are up for the same job but you can actually go into a room and look your terrifying boss in the eyes. It’s HARD! I get it. I only just started looking my boss in the eyes last week (it’s really awkward because my boss is my wife). Being able to stand up straight and look your employer in the eyes goes a lot further in the way of impressing them than talking about the newest edition of Captain America (unless your boss is Stan Lee). SPOILER ALERT, apparently Cap has been secretly working for Hydra all this time… WHAT?!?!
Next… Number 4…
Become a Real Life James Bond (Confidence)
One of the defining characteristics of James Bond, other than the tendency to drive way too fast (probably without wearing a seat belt) and drinking waaaaaaay too many shaken not stirred martinis, is his confidence. Now I’m not suggesting you join MI6 (unless you’re actually playing one of the James Bond video games), that is far too much work and far too dangerous. However, an easier route to confidence is feeling comfortable on a dance floor, a place where most people feel uncomfortable. Again, I speak from experience here. In high school and the first few years of college, I was the stereotypical wall flower. Glasses, void of any muscle whatsoever, and clueless as to how to function when the music comes on at a dance party. What made a HUGE difference was having some structure on the dance floor. Once you have even a vague idea of where to put your feet and how to move to the music, the barriers start collapsing immediately.
Marrying Up!
Alright folks, I’m going to be real with you (and considering I’m a guy, I’m going to speak to the guys here for a second). My wife is pretty amazing. She’s one of the kindest people imaginable, wicked smart, and on top of that a total hottie. What she’s doing with me, I have absolutely no idea. I’ve had friends question me about what she’s doing with me and I honestly have no legitimate answer to give them other than she feels extreme pity. However, it would not have been possible without dance. Now keep in mind that we got together while I was President of the Math Club AND Math Honor Society. You see, girls love to dance. Not just one of them but the vast majority of them. Now, I’m not saying that dancing will guarantee you’ll meet the love of your life. However, you might pick up an awesome hobby that gives you exercise, new friends, more confidence, etc.,etc!
