We’re more than halfway though THON, and dancers are starting to feel the effects of standing for 24+ hours. They will be tired, sore, and delusional, sooner rather than later. When you’re down on the floor visiting your dancer (if you can ever get down there), there are definitely certain things that you shouldn’t bring up in front of them. Here’s the top six things to not say to a dancer:

1) Anything about what time it is
As a dancer, there’s nothing worse than thinking it’s 3 a.m. on Sunday, only to find out it’s actually only 10 p.m. Saturday night. If your dancer doesn’t want to know the time, don’t mention anything related to it. Not even in the context of “Michigan Still Sucks…”

2) Anything about how you’re tired
At this point, dancers have been standing for longer than you have, and have used way more energy than you. Don’t say anything about “only getting a couple hours of sleep before you got back to the BJC this morning,” because they don’t care and will hate you for saying it.

3) Anything about showering
One of the worst things for dancers is that they aren’t allowed to shower at all during THON. Don’t mention anything about how you showered before you came/about how you’re planning on showering when you get home. They are better off thinking we are one big ratchet mess together.

4) Anything about their looks
Because they’ve been on their feet for so long without showering, they most likely don’t look their best. Don’t say anything about them looking “bad”, “rough”, or “tired”. RUDE.

5) Anything about how they’re “crazy” or “delusional”
When people get tired, they tend to say crazy things. If they do, don’t mention it. Just play along with what they’re saying. It’s better to just play along then to alarm them that they aren’t in a right state of mind. This may sound weird, but this direction actually comes straight from THON. This is what they advise to do if this situation arises.

6) Anything about the floor/building being at capacity
If the floor is at capacity, like it currently is until after the pep rally, don’t bring it up on your own. But if your dancer asks anything about it, don’t lie to them. Be honest with what you know, and ask a THON Captain nearby what the latest information is. Don’t lie to them, or give them false hope. While it isn’t fun to tell them that their family won’t be able to get in, it will be better than getting their hopes up.

If you mention any of these, your dancer and their moraler will probably not be very happy, while if you follow these, they will both appreciate it. Remember above all to support the dancers during one of the most difficult weekends of their lives.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!