THON 2026 is underway, folks.

Being selected to dance in THON Weekend is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even if you are not dancing, getting the chance to visit, interact with, or help to support a dancer during these 46 hours is still an amazing and fulfilling experience.

However, if you have the opportunity to see a dancer at any point throughout the weekend, there are a few things you definitely should avoid saying to them. To make sure you are prepared for your dancer interactions, we made a list of topics you should maybe leave on the BJC concourse.

1) Do you feel tired/ How do you feel?

While this may seem like a normal conversation starter, we recommend not asking dancers how they are feeling or if they are getting tired. If a dancer is trying to distract themselves from how they actually feel, this question may cause them to refocus on their exhaustion. It is a good rule of thumb to let a dancer tell you how they are feeling, rather than you directly asking them.

2) Mentioning the time

Mentioning the time in any capacity is definitely something to avoid when speaking with a dancer. Some dancers know the time/ want to know the time during THON Weekend, but many do not. Be sure to avoid conversation on how early or late it is, or how many hours are left in the weekend. THON works hard to make sure dancers are not aware of the time, through changing the temperature of the BJC, serving meals, and doing the Line Dance at random times throughout the weekend. While you may be hyper-aware that it is 4 a.m., your dancer does not have to know.

3) “You look tired”/ Making comments on their appearance

Dancers are going to get tired, and they probably will not feel or look their best throughout the entire weekend. However, bringing attention to this fact is not needed, as the dancers are most likely well aware of how they look to others. Instead, share words of encouragement and affirmation to help counteract how the dancers may be feeling. A “you are doing great” can go a long way during THON Weekend. Try it!

4) How tired or exhausted you are

Seriously, wrong place and wrong time. Unless you are also staying up for 46 hours, it is best not to tell a dancer that you are tired. This comment is like telling someone who is drowning that you have a headache. It’s not helpful.

5) “Trapped” or “Stuck” in the BJC

Just to be safe, it’s good to avoid anything that makes it sound like a dancer is trapped in the BJC or stuck in the BJC for the next 46 hours. While some could argue that they technically are, saying this to a dancer may cause them to panic and subconsciously search for an exit. This could be a dangerous thing to say, especially if a dancer is hitting a wall and starting to feel slightly delirious.

6) Are you bored yet?

Dancing in THON Weekend is just as much a mental task as it is a physical challenge. Dancers work hard to keep their minds preoccupied, so they don’t focus on the hours crawling by with nothing but line dances to break up the late hours of the night. Asking questions like this can take dancers out of their mental zone and make them realize that they are, in fact, very bored and very tired.

So you may be thinking, what can I ask my dancer? Ask them anything that will distract them. What would you do with three wishes from a genie? What movie could you watch every day without getting sick of it? Essentially, feel free to ask anything aside from the topics listed above. Remember this is all FTK!