By: Catie Staff [Staff Writer]

As the students in the journalism class look through the photos taken at prom this year, the room is filled with giggles. The photos almost all turned out to be very awkward because the pervading style of dancing is grinding. Besides ruining photos, grinding is ridiculous for many reasons.

There is no skill involved in grinding. It is true that the dancers have to have a degree of coordination, and some of them know better than others how to make grinding fun. But any boy and girl with a mutual attraction can spark excitement by pressing their bodies against each other. The days of mastering Michael Jackson’s smooth moves and catching the eye of the hottest girl in class are gone. There is absolutely no appreciation for dancing skills because grinding makes it easy for anyone to dance.

Another disadvantage of grinding is the lack of control that comes with it. Most of the time grinding takes place in a big group of people, often contained in a small space. As bodies press close together and people start to grind, it’s easy to get separated from the cutie of your choice. Suddenly, you’re rubbing up against your best friend’s boyfriend, then an almost total stranger starts grabbing at you. It can be creepy.

One of the main arguments is that it’s the 21st century and grinding is acceptable and fun. So, grind, go for it. But don’t complain when a classic comes on, or a slow-dancing song starts playing and no one knows what to do. Grinding doesn’t work with every song. It’s important to have a wider variety of dance moves stored up in order to
have a good time all night.

Prom and party-goers should have an arsenal of moves designed to impress the girls and grab the attention of the guys. Those dancers who only grind had better hold tightly to their date’s arm or they’ll
be blown away with a moon-walking, jazz stepping, master of the dance.