Well, I have been called many things, but shy isn't one of them. However, I do have a shy streak that I hide beneath chatter. Usually, however, I can make conversation with just about anyone.<P>But some of the things that I find in the way of conversation as a dancer are ...well...er...rather off putting. Picking up from what Tom said above, sometimes it is assumed that because I dance I am therefore uneducated, dumb, and inarticulate. While that may be true, it's not really conducive to conversation to have that thrust at me.<P>I have also, quite a number of times, had it assumed that because I dance I couldn't possibly have a normal home life - a child - a husband - a home, and yes, morals. That I am some sort of gad-about - and worse - much worse. No, I haven't found that assumption among the men, but among the women. <P>Some were actually astonished when introduced to my husband that indeed I was not a gad-about (using a polite euphemism here). <P>I don't mind ever - ever - being asked questions about dance, but I do mind people insisting upon their preconceived notions. For instance, telling me that "of course there are pieces of wood in your toe shoes," and refusing (laughing even) when I say (politely of course) t'isn't so.<P>Then there are the people who insist that all men who dance are gay (so what?), or dancing is not a "real job", or I am doing this because I can't do anything else, or surprise that dancers get paid at all, or if my name isn't Russian I am not really a dancer, or ...or....or...<P>The above are really not good ways to begin a conversation, with anyone, let alone a dancer.<P>
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