So, I’m taking dance classes on Wednesday nights. Beginning tap and jazz for adults. Since it is a beginner’s class, most of the 20 or so women in the class have little (or no) previous dance experience. I, on the other hand, took dance for many years growing up, then was on the dance team for three years in high school. I took more dance classes in college to get my kinesiology credits. I’m not an expert by any means but I certainly have previous experience, which means I can easily follow along at this level and look like I know what I’m doing (I have to admit, it is kind of nice to be the “superstar” dancer for once in my life. I have always just been a mediocre dancer at best.).
Anyway, I have really been enjoying the opportunity to dance again – I was really beginning to miss it. However, I have one teeny little gripe (this seems to be a recurring theme with me). There is this one woman in the class who won’t shut up. Oh my God, seriously. She talks constantly. CONSTANTLY. What she’s doing wrong, how she doesn’t understand what we’re supposed to do, how she needs to get a more supportive bra (!), her daughter needs new tap shoes and she doesn’t know where to get them, and on and on and ON. And she is right next to me in the formation for our tap routine, which means I get to listen to the running commentary the whole time I’m trying to dance. Or, worse, when I’m trying to watch the instructor and learn the next step, she’s asking me to demonstrate something that she would know how to do if she was listening in the first place!! GAH. What do I do? It’s driving me nuts. Really. I know I shouldn’t be so anal – this class is supposed to be for fun, after all – but since I grew up taking classes from instructors who didn’t allow side discussions I can’t help it! Last night I nearly lost it and had to bite my tongue to keep from telling her to shut up and leave me the hell alone. I’m thinking that possibly this wouldn’t be the best approach. Thoughts?
Oh, ug. What I’d do is lie awake at night stewing about it, and then I’d never do anything about it, and it would ruin the class for me, and I would never take another class because even the thought of it would increase the acid in my stomach. I’m not recommending this solution. I wonder if it would work to have a discreet word with the instructor after class one day? You mention that a lot of instructors don’t allow chatting during class, which is a policy that really makes sense; maybe this instructor would be willing to make such a policy if she knew you were having trouble concentrating because of another student?
How about telling her to shut her piehole? I find that’s a very effective way of dealing with annoying peeps. Or, do what I always did with you and just don’t listen. Love you!!
How about telling her you need to have her be quiet because you’re having trouble concentrating on the dance? It’s kind of true – while you’re good enough to do it with her yammering on, you’re not enjoying it and isn’t that the point of dancing? Or you know “Button it Goat Lips” has always worked for me.