Last week in my Paid to Party column in The Charlotte Observer, I mentioned a different kind of dance club to go to … a Ballroom Dancing club.

My theory in life is that if you get the choice to sit it out or dance, always opt to dance. And actually dancing ballroom is a lot more fun than just sitting around watching Dancing with the C-grade Stars (and Gavin DeGraw).

I like going out dancing with my girlfriends, but it seems that men think dry humping girl’s legs like a dog constitutes dancing … it doesn’t. So I wanted to branch out and go somewhere I knew the men would at least dance like gentlemen even if they have two left feet.

So I set out for a different kind of dance floor …

Speaking of which,  why do they call it “cutting a rug?” Have you ever seen a carpeted dance floor? No?…because they’re hard wood! They need to call it “sanding wood.” Just saying.

Anyway, so I got a half off deal thing in my e-mail for lessons at Arthur Murray, and I purchased it almost impulsively. The first thing my instructer, Roberto, said to me was, “Women are always right.” He meant start with the right foot, but I like where his head’s at.

I’m on my 3^rd private lesson and I have a group sessionTuesday night. I’m hoping there are going to be some cute guys there.

Ballroom studios actually have parties and social dances, which in turn puts a new spin on nightlife (pun intended), and new way to date – like a covert operation of speed dating. But instead of sitting at a table with a stranger for eight minutes of job interview type questions, you have a few eight counts to dance with a stranger while making small talk. It takes two to tango after all

Here are a few Ballroom Dancing studios, to name a few… Arthur Murray in Lake Norman (where I go), Queen City Ballroom, Metropolitan Ballroom, Piper Glen Ballroom, Fred Astaire in South Charlotte, and Dance Sport Carolina in Fort Mill. (Google them).