Thread: Stuff You Think You'll Never Have to Say...Drunk Students in Beginners *sigh*

So do any of you include the no intoxication in class rule in your paperwork? I guess I'm going to have to add it in to mine. I have two students who reeked of alcohol last night (these are grandmothers btw, old enough to know better) and when I asked them if they were drunk they said they'd only had two beers. I was not sure what to say, other than, please don't come to class after drinking, it's a safety issue. I didn't throw them out, but now I regret that too. They've been coming for about 4 months and not been a problem before. Hopefully what I said will stick, or next time I will be asking them to sit it out.

What Would Bhuzzers Do/Say?

Sounds like they hit the bar before coming to dance class. They hopefully won't do it again. But I could see the benefit to clearly stating that intoxication (of any sort) is not welcome in dance class.

I had this happen once (on St. Patrick's Day) and was really thrown for a loop...we were doing turns that day. Luckily the person realized their error and apologized the following week.

I think it's a rare enough occurrence that you don't need to write it out or mention it, though for troupes, it might be worth noting in the contract that one must be sober at rehearsals/performances.

Absolutely unacceptable. Its a major liability!

My 3 major "Don't" rules for the studios:
1. No choking: no gum
2. No slipping: appropriate footwear - not socks
3. No DUIs: no dancing under the influence
I tell all students and its in the waiver.

I have a clean & sober item in my "rules". I explain that it can be dangerous and while it sounds like fun, it just ends up feeling awkward and makes other uncomfortable.
I also have a "please do not leave children unattended in the parking lot/building during class" because I have had people do exactly that, and I'm talking *children* not tweens or teens.

Yes. I don't like having to repeat myself, so if it happens once, I include it in the class guidelines. You wouldn't think that you'd have to tell people to wear underwear either, but sometimes the things that are really obvious to some people are things others have to be told.

Taaj

I'm pretty sure that one of the other students in my class last night was intoxicated. She fell down while doing a routine warm up, got up again but then started acting really weird, dancing around instead of doing the stretches, but in a jerky, ungraceful way, and repeatedly pulling on one of her pant legs in a strangely violent way. I was a little scared. Then the teacher had to leave the room and while the rest of us were trying to go over a certain move, the woman started yelling who cares if we do it perfectly, we should all just be having fun. Then she seemed to confuse herself and get embarrassed and started apologizing and even when the teacher came back she kept apologizing. We finished the class and the lady fell again during cool down and proceeded to do some kind of strange floorwork by herself. I was worried she might actually hurt herself because what she was doing didn't look natural. She's never acted that way before, either. The teacher didn't say anything. I really hope it doesn't happen again because it was pretty freaky.

I've had a student coming to class smelling of alcohol. I've also had a student come to class so tired that she had trouble forming a complete sentence and keeping her eyes open. I have a clause in my syllabus called "Self Handicapping Behaviors" and it says that students may be asked to leave the class if I feel that it is not save for the student to be there. I think it really lets the students know what I will and will not tolerate before any incidences occur.

I've never come across the problem as a teacher.
It is highly innappropriate to come to any dance/exercise class while under the influence of certain substances. However I have been a fellow student of functioning alcoholics trying to kick the abuse and if class is part of their return to full health then I think you have to judge situations as they arise.
If a student is falling over and a danger to herself and other then she should be asked discreetly (if possible) to sit out or go home to sleep it off!

Might want to consider calling them a cab. If you know they are under the influence and suggest they go home - I would be concerned about the legalities and possible harm to them or others. Sorry but I worry about how often people are lawsuit happy. Each area has different laws but it might be worth considering.

I have had dance sisters show up for classes or even performances drunk and/or stoned. I've even had situations where I suspected an instructor was high.

But while we're at it, let's list a few other "should be" no-nos that we've seen.

My (partial) list:

Bringing (non-participatory) kids to class. Please don't. If we wanted to participate in a nursery school, we'd be in one, not a dance class. We don't want to be exposed to the germ factory either. Instructors: This applies to you too (I finally had to leave one class permanently because the instructor's brat kept disrupting class, running amongst the students, tripping us up, lifting up skirts, grabbing veils, etc)! I have a certain dance sister who will leave IMMEDIATELY if there is a kid in the class.

Ditto for bringing animals to class. I like animals, but I also have sanitation concerns and many people have allergies. Not to mention the disruption of a loose and/or barking dog...

Originally Posted by zorba

I have had dance sisters show up for classes or even performances drunk and/or stoned. I've even had situations where I suspected an instructor was high.

But while we're at it, let's list a few other "should be" no-nos that we've seen.

My (partial) list:

Bringing (non-participatory) kids to class. Please don't. If we wanted to participate in a nursery school, we'd be in one, not a dance class. We don't want to be exposed to the germ factory either. Instructors: This applies to you too (I finally had to leave one class permanently because the instructor's brat kept disrupting class, running amongst the students, tripping us up, lifting up skirts, grabbing veils, etc)! I have a certain dance sister who will leave IMMEDIATELY if there is a kid in the class.

Ditto for bringing animals to class. I like animals, but I also have sanitation concerns and many people have allergies. Not to mention the disruption of a loose and/or barking dog...

I have been one of the kid-toting mamma's, but not without permission from the teacher. I also brought lots of stuff to keep them occupied and left immediately if they became intrusive. My kids learned EARLY that I expected perfect behavior and quiet in class. But they weren't toddlers - which would have been expecting too much.

For those instructors who really don't want kids, but want to be tactful -- say your liability insurance prohibits children in class. Besides, it's likely to be true anyway! Works for pets too. And drunks, I imagine, although they're probably more difficult to shoe-away.

Had the drunk group in class once. I decided we were going to work on turns and spins for the rest of the class. (they had come once prior talking loudly and smelling) This night they all decided to leave, the rest of the class clapped when they cleared the room. A couple of them came back with their tail between their legs and never did it again, the rest never returned.
Of course just when I think everything from drinking to kids is taken care of someone does something else:) I guess that what makes running a studio a very interesting job!