“Not on your life.  Are you crazy! I’m so shy that I can’t even make eye contact with a stranger and you want me to ballroom dance.  No way, lady, forget it.”  

Hold on a minute, let me explain.  

What is a shy person like?

Most shy people are very cautious and, therefore, timid when they’re with other people or in an unfamiliar situation. 

That’s different from being introverted. In fact, an introvert isn’t concerned with the newness of the experience. Not at all. They just prefer their own company.  On the other hand, a shy person is more concerned about how others see them and don’t want to be judged.  

What’s the opposite of shy?

The opposite of shy is outgoing, bold, and brave.  People like that are confident about themselves and their abilities.  They’re fearless when it comes to trying new things. As a matter of fact, they never worry about meeting new people or taking on additional responsibilities.  That’s because they’re courageous and welcome challenges.

Where does ballroom dancing fit in?

When it comes to learning how to ballroom dance, everybody is the same. We all start at the same place with no knowledge. It’s all new to us.

Now, if you’re a shy person, you’ll be bashful about even trying to learn. You’re gonna feel like everyone is looking at you. You’re sure they’re laughing and judging you as you struggle to pick up something new.

If you’re an outgoing person, it’s no big deal to begin lessons in ballroom dancing. You just do it, like you do with anything new. However, keep in mind that it’s human nature to feel self-conscious when you begin ballroom dancing. Even for outgoing people.

So, where the shy student is timid and bashful, guess what…the outgoing student sometimes feels that way, too.

I guess you could compare it to a baby who’s just starting to walk. For instance, the one who is brave will get moving. And, he’ll have more confidence about what he’s doing. He moves awkwardly and makes quite a few missteps. Yet, he shrugs it off and carries on.

The shy baby will take his time because he’s being more careful. He will make the same mistakes as the outgoing baby, but may holler if you laugh when he falls. Some people are just more sensitive.

My point is, don’t worry about what you look like. There’s a famous saying in the dance business that goes, “Don’t worry that others are looking at you. They’re too busy worrying about themselves.“

Here’s another Dance Safari post that you might like, “Improve Self-Esteem With Ballroom Dancing“.