Science

RIGHT NOW I am giggling about Saskia's post below, and have been inspired to write some Q&As for men hoping to wow the ladies with their moves, based on the study she mentions.

Q I am a wannabe lothario who dances like a malfunctioning windmill. Am I likely to get lucky with the ladies?
A No. You must have witnessed it - because apparently we have all witnessed it – a packed dancefloor of bodies gyrating perfectly to the beat suddenly being emptied by the unwelcome appearance of a man flailing his arms about wildly? And not emptied in a good way. If there is one.

Q I realise that the single most important arena where humans select their mates is the dancefloor, but I'm not sure what the dancefloor can inspire in a person. Please could you fill me in?
A The dancefloor can inspire terror and longing – but more often embarrassment and hilarity.

Q My footwork is really, really fancy. Is that enough to attract a mate?
A Sadly not. A study has revealed that upper body movement is key to attracting women. It was in the Independent science bit and everything.

Q I like to dance vigorously, making large movements of my upper body and head, but I also vary my movements, showing creativity and flair; whereas my friend likes to lean towards folk dancing of the Riverdance kind. You know the sort of thing - Irish dancing, with its focus on leg kicking and a static upper body. Neither of us want to face disappointment. Which of us is most unlikely to set women's hearts racing?
A The results of the study, which are surprisingly detailed, suggest that the speed of the right knee is critical, as is the size and variability of movement of the neck, trunk, left shoulder and wrist. As long as you incorporate some or all of those body parts into your routine and watch the speed of your right knee, it sounds like you are going to be the dancefloor hit.