Friday, Feb. 4th: Lessons in Clubbing

I had my first experience at an Italian club... 

Lesson #1: Pre-game

After dinner/dessert, have some cheap wine or make mixed drinks at home that you like that way you spend less money on drinks at the club because they are extremely overpriced. (good to split the cost of the drinks at home with friends rather than buying your own and not finishing it)

Lesson #2: Go in a group 

Preferably with an even mix of guys and girls that you feel comfortable dancing with, but if it is not possible go in a big group of just girls or just guys.  

-> We went in a group of 5 girls which was pretty safe and there didn’t seem to be that many guys there so we did our usual girl circle thing.  Although out of nowhere, tons grabby poser Italians swarmed.  I say ‘poser’ Italians because usually the gross and creepy ones at clubs are not Italian, they are Armenian or something like that.  They grab on to your waist like a leech and tell you basic lines like “you are beautiful” in attempts to woo you.  EW GROSS. 

Lesson #3: Spin out, Chicken neck & Excuses
Thank goodness I am trained in the spin out, the chicken neck, and with excuses (to disappear) like “oh I have to go find my friend”... aka I move to another part of the dance floor.  Some of the other girls weren’t so lucky.  

-spin out: just take one of their hands (if one is not holding yours already) and spin yourself... it is a great way to create space between you and guy.

-chicken neck: turn head quickly left or right to avoid any unwanted smooches

-excuses: restroom, be right back, have to find my friend, I need to sit down for a bit (play the feet are tired from heels card), OR be BLUNT by just saying thank you for the dance and leave general area.

Lesson #4: Hold on to your CARD

The way the clubs work in Italy (and probably most of Europe), is that you get a card upon entering the club. They stamp something if you check any coats or bags and they stamp for every drink... usually the first one is free, at a few places the first two free!  By free they mean included in base price.  No one pays at the bar so you only have to pay once, which is when you decide to leave.  THE WARNING: if you lose your card the fee is usually 50 euros or MORE.  Most people do not bring tons of cash and credit cards to the club so we don’t really have to watch for stolen wallets, but the killer is if you lose your club card.  Sometimes people go around just stealing cards.  We had one girl in our group get hers taken right out of her hand at the bar.  THANK GOODNESS the guy at the ticket counter had a soft spot that night and only charged her for coat check and one extra drink.

SATURDAY, Feb. 19th: MORE Lessons in Clubbing

So we went to another club, but this time it was on a Saturday night to see if it would be a better night to go out. 

Lesson #5: SATURDAYS
Saturdays are the nights most kids can go out... thus at the clubs are mainly 16-18 year olds. OR creepy older guys.  Thus avoid this night for clubs.

Lesson #6: KNOW what you are ordering
When you order a drink, make sure you know what the ingredients are OR ask if you do not.  Some places will have all their drinks and ingredients listed, others only show the drink names.  In Europe, Absinthe and other strong alcoholic drinks are served at some bars & clubs.  I have yet to try Absinthe, but from what I have seen and heard, it is not pleasant. 

Lesson #7: Return with the same number you came with!

Try to leave with the entire group you came with.  If someone does decide to go back early, pair up or split off in groups that way one person isn't missing while you all are saying "Where did Tealy go?" TRUE STORY- Thank GOD she ended up being at home the whole time.  She returned all by herself, safe and sound; after giving all of us all minor heart attacks.

I am still on the search for a good dance club that offers swing, salsa, and/or TWO STEPPING.  Ok so that last one is HIGHLY unlikely, but hopefully the first two do exist here in Florence.  Goodness how much I miss legit dancing at Bob's and Gloria's...