mokudekiru

A lot of time in Lund is spent dancing. As someone who enjoys dancing in America, the first night dancing here in Sweden came as a bit of a (culture) shock to myself and the other Americans I was with. Other nights out have confirmed the following difference between Swedish and American dancing.

Rule 1: Dance in Circular Formations
This can best be illustrated by a birds-eye view diagram of a dancefloor. American dancefloors tend to be filled with grinding couples, and the occasional pair of girls who are friends and are either creeped out by all the other guys in the venue or are trying to impress someone.

In contrast, Swedish dancefloors are divided up into circles of dancing people.

Rule 2: No Grinding; Dance with your Arms
It might sound crazy, but they actually have different dance… moves here. As in, if you just shake your hips from side to side for three hours, people will think you DON’T KNOW HOW TO DANCE (everyone’s biggest fear, of course). Lots of fist pumping, jumping, headbanging, and there is no significant difference between guys’ dance moves and girls’ (how progressive, Sweden, how progressive).

You also have to dance really low, squatting on the ground, while the music builds, and then jump up at the appropriate time when the bass comes in (which happens roughly 16 measures later than it would in American remixes, so I always screw this part up too).

Grinding is nonexistent. Try it and you will freak out Scandinavia.

Rule 3: Always Make Eye Contact with your Dance Partner
Like rule 2, this is another rule that’s the polar opposite of the rules in the states. I mean, who makes eye contact with their dance partner in American clubs? Actually, in America, it’s best not to look at who you’re dancing with at all. Half the time they come up behind you and you just have to look at your friend who will make a disgusted face or a happy face, depending on how ugly your new dance partner is.

However, in SWEDEN… you must maintain eye contact at all times. At first, I found this pretty unnerving. Actually, I still do. It’s weird! In general, the things that are considered intimate here and in the US seem to be exact opposites: Americans are fine with grinding and being grabbed in inappropriate places, because it doesn’t seem all that intimate. But eye contact, and being touched on the shoulder, or maybe the leg, are weirdly personal to me, yet the norm here.

Rule 4: Change Dance Partners Every 30 Seconds
Remember those eye-contact dance partners you don’t actually touch except on the shoulder? Make sure to mix it up, constantly. Even couples kinda keep their distance. Flip side? It’s easy to accidentally end up dancing with someone else’s SO. Watch out for that

Rule 5: Pushing and Shoving is OK
Those circles of dancers are also constantly changing. Shoving people out of the way happens often (the bar area is especially dangerous), but I have yet to see any legitimate anger – no barfights. And ladies, you can push and shove just as much as your male counterparts. Remember, this is Sweden. EQUALITY!

Rule 6: Dancing with someone of the same sex is OK…if you’re a guy
Another one where the rule is exactly opposite of the US. Bromancin’ dude couples are common (and the one case in which grinding seems to be acceptable). Girls don’t dance with girls as much, at least not one-on-one.

Rule 7: Know Every Robyn Lyric
Robyn, Sweden’s #1 pop star, is indisputably important. She doesn’t seem to be polarizing like Lady Gaga or Koda Kumi characters. I think she’s bigger than Pippi Longstocking. Know all her songs. They will be played.

The good news is, other than every Robyn song, there are only about five songs you need to know, because every club is going to play the same ones over and over and over and over. I am Waka Waka-ed out like you won’t believe. For this purpose, I’m keeping a playlist of songs that are overplayed in Swedish clubs while I’m here. Enjoy! You must listen to Duck Sauce at least 5 times in the same evening to get the full Swedish effect.

Rule 8: Dance Forever
This last one is a good rule of thumb. I have already danced here more than an entire normal semester. The bottom of my feet are getting red and tough from dancing — I guess I’m just an American n00b.

Alright, peace all! Classes are starting up, so perhaps something a bit more academic? I think there are at least 2 more installments left in the Swedish Party Culture series, so we’ll see. Hej då!