Differences in Chinese and European Dancing: Exploring Cultural Perceptions of Dance and Intimacy

Once I happened to visit the Chinese in Taiwan, for an international folklore conference. As in every conference, there was also an informal part – scientists of many nationalities relaxed at the disco in the evenings. The Chinese do the same thing we do at the disco – they dance. When the music is fast, dance fast. Jumping one by one, arms and legs in the air, when the DJ plays something slow, the hall sways slowly, but they don’t dance in pairs like in Europe. I decided then that I would like to dance a slow dance, as I am used to – I asked a Chinese scientist to dance, but when I wanted to wrap myself in the usual shoulder and waist hug, I got a basket. Blushing, I asked – why does she refuse me? Chinese woman: “You Europeans are wild barbarians because you dance too tightly together. It’s too sexual! If flesh touches flesh, then it is barbaric. A dance between two people should be erotic, but it will be erotic if we are not tightly embraced.”

2023-07-11 12:08:08
#towel #dance #part #Dance #Festival #erotic #Latvian #folk #dance