By kaandle
One of my favorite things to do in Berlin is dance. The best part about this statement is that it has so much diverse potential. For instance, this past Thursday I ended up in one of the last standing dance halls from the 20s, Clärchens Ballhaus, which keeps its original decoration, serves delicious food, and has an hour before the floor opens to everyone where participants can learn the dance style of the night. It was truly a unique spot and I've already made a mental note to go back and give tango or salsa a try.
Simultaneously, you can walk down any street, duck into a cellar bar or club and see people bobbing around to whatever DJ/live band/solo act is performing that night. And while the style and location of your dancing may change, the really wonderful thing about the people dancing in Berlin, the thing I would love to see in the US when my time here is done, is people dancing entirely for themselves. No one is hindered by what the people around them might think or if what they do is "sexy". Dancing is mostly a solitary act. Think of how you dance when you're alone in your room blasting music or when you catch yourself mindlessly moving along to a beat - it's what wants to come out - how your body naturally wants to move. This is how Berliners dance and it's awesome. Going to a dance venue is just as fun for dancing as it is for people watching.
Now let's quickly talk about clothing. I am a person that loves to be comfortable. Seriously - ask anyone. I have a Stitch (as in Lilo and...) onesie that can best be described as a blanket that never falls off and I would wear that thing out every night if my housemates would let me. (Don't worry, it's made its way into public regardless). But since that's not usually an option, I really love a night where I can wear jeans with a big ol' sweater for a night in the town. In DC that may not fly everywhere you go, but here in Berlin I've yet to enter an establishment and feel underdressed. Like dance for yourself, it's dress for yourself. Maybe this can find its way to the States, but if not I fully intend on doing it anyway.