Your non-dance friends may not always understand your dance-specific quirks and habits. (Yes, we carry spare toe pads and hairspray in all of our bags, and no, we didn’t realize we still had glitter in our hair from this past weekend’s competition.) But we love them for being invested in our dance lives. Here are 10 things all dancers are used to hearing from their non-studio friends and family members.

1. “I was going to invite you, but I figured you have dance.”

And you’re right. Dance rehearsal > social activities, always and forever.

2. “Can you stop tapping your feet like that?”

Oh, I was tap dancing underneath my desk during the exam? Sorry, didn’t even notice! My bad.

3. “Do you have a bobby pin I can borrow?”

Because everyone knows we always do.

4. “Can you teach me how to do a split?”

Sure — come to class with me every day for a year and you’ll have it!

5. “Watch my turn!”

We can’t help but love our non-dance friends trying to do very dance-y things — most notably pirouettes, which are a crowd favorite. Power to them for trying — even if their technique is, uh, not quite there. We can help with that!

6. “Can I borrow one of your dance costumes for Halloween?!”

Totally — take your pick! What are you feeling this year? Sailor suit? Chicago dancer? Whimsical fairy? Snowflake?

7. “Do you watch Dance Moms? Is that what your studio is like?”

No. And no.

8. “Are you going to try out for So You Think You Can Dance someday?”

Maybe! I don’t know. Probably not. But maybe! Yes. Definitely. I’m not sure.

9. “You look tired today. Are you tired?”

Yes. Because I was at dance until 9 PM and then had to come home, eat dinner, shower, and do my homework. And I’m going to do it all over again today, and every day this week until I head to competition on Friday night.

10. “OMG, what happened to your feet?!”

#pointeshoes