How to Be a Dance Samaritan
Well, I hate to break it to you, but your friends and family may think you’ve gone off the rhinestoned deep end with your love for everything Arthur Murray.
In fact, you probably have a paranoid uncle that thinks you’ve joined a cult.
Well, fret not. The solution is to become a “Dance Samaritan.”
The Translation Problem
Explaining all the incredible things about Arthur Murray to your friends is like trying to explain Avatar to your grandmother – stuff just gets lost in the translation. They have to see it, to believe it.
Think about how you’d describe a practice party to someone who’s never been: “Well, there’s music, and everyone dances together, but not with the same partner, and there’s food, and your teacher is there, and…”
Their eyes glaze over. They nod politely. They secretly wonder if you’ve lost your mind.
But if they came to one? They’d get it immediately. That’s the Dance Samaritan opportunity.
The Positives of Bringing Someone In
Think of the positives if you could bring them in for a lesson:
- They really enjoy themselves
- You have a “dance buddy”
- They don’t think you’re crazy anymore
Safe to say that third one alone is worth the effort.
5 Ways to Bridge the Gap
Here are some ideas for bridging the gap between “you’re crazy” and “thank you, I am indebted to you forever”:
1. The Red Cross Treatment
Think for a second of anything positive that has happened to you because of your dance lessons. Maybe you’ve lost some weight, you’re standing up straighter, or you finally got the courage to go out dancing on a Friday night.
Now, think for a second of anyone you know that could really use one of those things.
It could be anyone – friend, relative, co-worker, or your pilates instructor. This prevents you from just looking for “another dancer” to bring in. Instead, you can look for people that would get a lot of value from their dancing lessons.
In fact, the best referrals come from identifying needs rather than recruiting dancers. You’re not selling dance lessons – you’re offering a solution to something they’re already dealing with.
2. Assistant Wedding Planner
How many more weddings can you go to if you keep seeing that same “bear-hug” wedding dance time and time again?
So become an assistant wedding planner. Recommend that they take some dance lessons.
Keep in mind, they don’t have to swing across the chandeliers to make a big impact for their wedding. A few lessons can transform that awkward shuffle into something guests actually want to watch. (We’ll save the chandelier swing for your next routine.)
3. Stay Neutral!
Meet up for coffee before heading to the studio. This allows your guest to start in safe, neutral territory.
The alternative is to have them meet you in the center of the dance floor at a studio they’ve never been to before. Sounds fun? Yeah, well save that one for people that used to steal your lunch money.
The coffee approach removes the pressure. You’re just two friends catching up. And then, oh by the way, there’s this thing I want to show you. Much smoother transition than throwing them into the deep end.
4. Don’t Rule People Out
OK, quick – think of two people who were absolutely stunned to hear that you’ve been taking dance lessons at Arthur Murray.
So if you didn’t seem like the dancer-type, then that’s exactly the reason why you should consider any of your friends or co-workers – not just the ones who come in with pirate shirts, rhinestones, or fake tan.
Some of our best students came from the most unlikely backgrounds. The accountant who thought he had no rhythm. The engineer who assumed she was too analytical for art. The retired guy who hadn’t danced since his wedding forty years ago.
Don’t make the decision for them. Let them experience it and make their own call.
5. If All Else Fails
Don’t worry about whether they can, should, or will continue with their dance lessons after the guest program. Leave that up to them.
You may have a friend who falls in love with dance lessons, like you have, or maybe they just finish the guest program. If nothing else, the people closest to you will have a better idea of why you love this so much.
Sometimes the goal isn’t conversion – it’s understanding. Even if they never take another lesson, they’ll respect your hobby in a way that wasn’t possible before they experienced it firsthand.
The Real Payoff
So give it a try. You know your dentist is always uptight. Think of how much smoother things would go if you could talk Tango instead of just the torture.
So what are you waiting for?
Be a “Dance Samaritan” and, before long, your boss will be asking your advice on Foxtrot music and your weird uncle will keep forgetting to give back your latin heels. Learn more about Wedding Dance Ideas For A Supper Club Wedding
In fact, the Dance Samaritan approach does something powerful for you, too: it validates your own journey. When someone you brought in has a breakthrough moment, you’ll remember why you fell in love with dancing in the first place.
That’s the real gift – not just to them, but to yourself.
For more on the Arthur Murray community, check out 21 Tips for Couples Starting Social Dance Lessons and What is an Arthur Murray Practice Party?.
