Dancing in your seventies, etc. what's your take

[jimintoronto]

Last night on the Buffalo New York PBS station they ran a 1968 British TV production called The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, which featured a number of bands as well as the Stones. The film ( it was shot in color on 35mm film ) was shown once, then kept locked up in a vault for over 30 years. Mick ( who had the executive producer title ) decided that the boys had not been all that good in the production, and that The Who as the opening act, had out performed them. I had never seen this production before.

My point ? At 1130 PM last night I was dancing around our living room to the very best version of Sympathy For The Devil I have ever heard or seen. A triumph for the Stones, done live, and over 9 minutes long. Some guy named Lennon was on the program , too, as a warm up act.

link. the rolling stones rock and roll circus 1968 - Bing

JImB.

 

[Brookswood]

Dance as you wish. Now i will agree that older women and men trying to look like their 20-somethings do look ridiculous, but that is a different story even if they do it while dancing to the music of their youth. Besides older women look so elegant, and when I see one I don’t have to think “What will she look like when she’s 65?” I already know and like it.

 

[spectratg]

I've seen 20 yr olds who may look ridiculous to some, and I've seen 75 olds who may be viewed that way by some, and granted some are indeed better than others, but if they're having a good time, I say the purpose isn't to impress others, it's to enjoy and let your body respond to music. Go for it.

And then there was Elaine of course!

 

[Mrs. Robinson]

80 year old couple dancing - Google Search

 

[Tempsontime65]

Dancing is still fun for me.. I just do it alot slower, hehehehe!!

 

[katlupe]

Who cares if someone else thinks you look ridiculous if you are having fun? Judging others who are dancing and having a good time is ridiculous. That is why so many people won't do something that they would enjoy due to being afraid of how they look (to others). Just relax and keep dancing.

 

[Old Salt]

My hubby and I disagree, even though he doesn't dance now either. And I know many, many people will not agree with me here. However, I think anyone who looks elderly looks ridiculous dancing to - for example, a Madonna song (or pick any pop song from around that time. ) Now if I see people my age waltzing, I think they look so elegant. But many times, hubby and I go to community happenings in the city and a rock band is playing and elderly people start dancing to the tune....to me it looks pathetic. Hubby says oh, they're just having fun. What do you all think?

Since I am in my eighties I agree with you @maxicat123! Waltzes and Tangos and Foxtrots and Rhumba are okay with me, but to see my peers shake their booties, the modern way ... not for me.

I think someone in their sixties and early seventies can get away with it but anyone older than that looks silly to me .. as if they are reluctant to acknowledge their age!

Sorry, folks .. I do know just from reading the replies that mine is not a popular answer, but as I said so often, "what you see is what you get!" LOL

 

[jimintoronto]

Since I am in my eighties I agree with you @maxicat123! Waltzes and Tangos and Foxtrots and Rhumba are okay with me, but to see my peers shake their booties, the modern way ... not for me.

I think someone in their sixties and early seventies can get away with it but anyone older than that looks silly to me .. as if they are reluctant to acknowledge their age!

Sorry, folks .. I do know just from reading the replies that mine is not a popular answer, but as I said so often, "what you see is what you get!" LOL

Should I point out that Mick Jaeger is 80 years old now ? Still one of the fittest men in rock and roll. The Stones are STILL touring. JimB.

 

[hearlady]

"Put you on your red shoes and dance the blues"

 

[Old Salt]

Okay, here it is. I just looked it up. Throughout history young people danced while the elders sat, in a Ghandi like Yoga position, looking on benignly while dishing out wisdom left and right! Old(er) equals dignity! History proves me right! Sorry, I have to leave the subject now, because I am sore from sitting on the floor and have to take to my more comfortable armchair!

 

[Murrmurr]

My hubby and I disagree, even though he doesn't dance now either. ... many times, hubby and I go to community happenings in the city and a rock band is playing and elderly people start dancing to the tune....to me it looks pathetic. Hubby says oh, they're just having fun. What do you all think?

I agree with your husband.

I'm sure the people you think look pathetic don't care what you think, they just want to have fun.

But why do you even care? That's a serious question. Do you feel embarrassed because they're dancing? I mean, do you think that reflects on you somehow?

 

[Old Salt]

I agree with your husband.

I'm sure the people you think look pathetic don't care what you think, they just want to have fun.

But why do you even care? That's a serious question. Do you feel embarrassed because they're dancing? I mean, do you think that reflects on you somehow?

I think that's a question only a psychologist could answer @Murrmurr! I know that I cringe in embarrassment when I see older people attempting to look young. (My impression, not based on fact): I know that they don't. That they are simply having a good time and that I am in the wrong. But I haven't found a way to overcome this instinctive cringe. Built on my personal view, senior equals dignity and modern dance lacks that dignity!

 

[Old Salt]

And I am still mortified about this even though it was none of my business and shouldn't have affected me, but I lost all respect for Glenn Close at that moment.

 

[DaveA]

Does anyone here even make an allowance for those who just don't enjoy or choose to dance, at any age. I have never danced with anyone but my wife during my lifetime and even then, out of kindness to her. I don't and never have enjoyed it.

if you pay attention to folks, you'll find many that don't enjoy some activity or another and never participate in it. Whatever it is, dancing, hiking, biking, swimming, etc. are all enjoyed by some - - not by others.

My wife says that I'm a good dancer, in a slow and steady manner but beyond that and with someone else, I have ZERO interest (and probably ability - LOL)

 

[Trish]

Many people reach their senior years with disabilities which mean they cannot enjoy a walk round the block, let alone dancing so, if we are among the fortunate ones who can still dance then we should do so, with gusto! We should be celebrating our ability to move and hope we will still be dancing on our last day on earth!

The thing is, who really cares what we do? dance, sing, get a tattoo, fall in love and just enjoy it while you can

 

[oldaunt]

Does anyone here even make an allowance for those who just don't enjoy or choose to dance, at any age. I have never danced with anyone but my wife during my lifetime and even then, out of kindness to her. I don't and never have enjoyed it.

if you pay attention to folks, you'll find many that don't enjoy some activity or another and never participate in it. Whatever it is, dancing, hiking, biking, swimming, etc. are all enjoyed by some - - not by others.

My wife says that I'm a good dancer, in a slow and steady manner but beyond that and with someone else, I have ZERO interest (and probably ability - LOL)

If you don't like to, the by all means suit yourself, no one minds. Just don't fuss about those who do.

 

[oldaunt]

And I am still mortified about this even though it was none of my business and shouldn't have affected me, but I lost all respect for Glenn Close at that moment.

I don't have much respect for anyone who thinks twerking is a good move, no matter what age.

 

[maxicat123]

View attachment 315970
Old couple, in their 70's, strutting their stuff in public! Disgraceful!

Actually this couple look great dancing. I think I should have added to my post - that the elderly seniors who dance at our community events with rock and roll bands, look awful because they still dress like in their twenties, the women, with low cut tank tops and saggy old boobs hanging out and shorts that are too short for fat bums hanging out too. Yuck!

 

[maxicat123]

ANY dancing is good for the heart and soul. Don't be an old stick.

Well as I said to someone else, we can agree to disagree.

 

[Bella]

Since when is it required for everyone to look like Fred and Ginger when they're dancing? I'm not that critical. I don't care what anyone looks like when they're dancing. I like to see people having fun.

If someone doesn't like the way I dance, they're welcome to look away, go eff themselves, or both.

 

[Old Salt]

Since when is it required for everyone to look like Fred and Ginger when they're dancing? I'm not that critical. I don't care what anyone looks like when they're dancing. I like to see people having fun.

If someone doesn't like the way I dance, they're welcome to look away, go eff themselves, or both.

Things are getting heated! In my case, if a couple dance, holding each other, I don't care how they look or what they are dancing to. If I see elderly people dance the "modern" way, by themselves, waving hands and hips .. trying to appear younger than their age, then I cringe! I know that's not going to be popular with most of you but my dislike extends to this whole fad of trying to be younger than your age from Botox to tummy tucks to fillers, to eyebrow lifting. It's all bizarre to someone who believes in aging gracefully!

 

[Robb.hisself]

My hubby and I disagree, even though he doesn't dance now either. And I know many, many people will not agree with me here. However, I think anyone who looks elderly looks ridiculous dancing to - for example, a Madonna song (or pick any pop song from around that time. ) Now if I see people my age waltzing, I think they look so elegant. But many times, hubby and I go to community happenings in the city and a rock band is playing and elderly people start dancing to the tune....to me it looks pathetic. Hubby says oh, they're just having fun. What do you all think?

Fact is they are just having fun or they would not do it. How it looks isn't important when compared to how much fun it is. How often do you compare what it looks like when you are having fun? You probably don't give it a thought. And neither should they. Maybe you need to stop being so judgemental of yourself and just enjoy yourself instead. Try it. You may have some fun.

BTW, I dance as an exercise. No one has said I look ridiculous. It's loads of fun to dance alone. I don't step on anyone's toes.

 

[Devi]

What @Robb.hisself said. I'm happy to see people enjoying themselves and being alive, and don't stand around judging them for it.

Is the fact that they're old, or not trained dancers a big deal? How are people "supposed" to act? I think dictating how people "should" live is a bit much.

 

[Fyrefox]

If I ever dance again (and this is unlikely), I’ll want to incorporate some of Wednesday Addams’ moves. I’m a big Halloween person, and my motto is that if you can’t dance well, be weird and horrific at it…

 

[CallMeKate]

However, I think anyone who looks elderly looks ridiculous dancing to - for example, a Madonna song (or pick any pop song from around that time. )

Why? With all the things to worry about in today's world, I'd smile to see someone who "looks elderly" dancing to Madonna... or to the heaviest rock band that exists. And I'd be *so* happy for them that they're dancing to rock music and not rocking their life away the OTHER way... in a rocking chair. Rock on, seniors!