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Coping with skin to skin contact

Emmalephant

Good evening!

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on coping with skin to skin contact (calming strategies etc.). 
And no, just not allowing it isn‘t an option in this case. It is traditional practice for the graduates to start with a standard dance at the graduation ball. Tomorrow will be the first of three lessons and I am terrified. I will dance with a girl I do not know very well and and she also has long nails, which will just add to the sensory torture. I‘ll probably wear something with long sleeves tomorrow to keep the sensory issues at bay for now, but I bought a neckholder dress for the actual event (before I knew about the mandatory dance)… So no sleeves there and it will be too hot for a jacket at the location (I know the room, it isn‘t properly ventilated with so many people in it).

Any advice? I mean, I‘ll have to suck it up eventually, but I‘d be happy to not have a shut- or even meltdown in the middle of the opening dance. Sorry if I sound far too dramatic… it just worries me quite a bit.

  • in reply to Emmalephant

    Good luck, I don't have any advice though.

  • Update: I‘m gonna change my dancing partner, but that‘s a good thing because now I get to dance with a friend of mine. I also found that the male part is a good choice for me (it doesn‘t matter since we‘re both girls). It was difficult, but manageable. I was in sneakers and a long-sleeved shirt though, so the real test will be Thursday with short sleeves and high heels. Thanks for the advice!

  • in reply to DormouseAtRest_25

    That‘s a good idea, I‘ll look into it. Thanks!

  • Maybe you could ask relatives about potentially borrowing a pair of long or elbow-length evening / formal / opera gloves? 

    They are often made from a soft or satin style fine fabric and are made ending in a choice of lengths along the wearer's arm. 

    Some are stretchy and others are not stretchy but instead are "fashioned" (shaped by the sewing pattern to fit your arm shape).

    If budget and time are possible - there are reasonably priced pairs available to buy new from online companies..

    It is also possible that a charity shop / goodwill or thrift store may have a pair to purchase.  They are aware of graduation / prom / bridal season / May ball season events.

    Some cities have costume hire shops which may have such gloves available.

    The bonus of gloves; is it could give you the option of wearing them for the mandatory dance - and then allows you to easily remove them later - if the event becomes too warm.

  • in reply to profdanger

    Thanks! I‘ll try. My mind will certainly be busy with coordinating my feet so that might just work. 

  • Hey that’s a totally valid thing to worry about and it’s good that you are thinking ahead before it happens.

    My advice might not be great, but it’s what I would do in your situation. Try to focus your mind on other things as much as possible. Focus on the steps, yours/her dress, other dancers, etc. I’d usually say think of things that you enjoy (which in your case, probably elephants?) but given the nature of dancing it’s probably safer to focus on sights and sensations in the present.

    That’s quite a dilemma, though. Fidgets, avoiding contact, and other usual methods of solving the problem won’t work when you’re dancing. Again, it’s good you’re anticipating the issue rather than letting yourself suffer through it.