SLG  GUIDE  TO  DANCE  ETIQUETTE

Social dancing is about having fun. This fun can be dampened by a snobbish, superior attitude and lack of consideration for your fellow dancers. Partner dancing is not a performance, but an activity which enables you to share your love of dancing with another person.  Here are some things to consider when dancing socially.

Dance with Beginners – Today's beginners are the good dancers of tomorrow, so be nice to them and dance with them. You can make someone's night by asking them to dance and they walk away with a smile on their face, looking forward to learning more.

Ladies – It is very acceptable for ladies to ask gentlemen to dance. Most gentlemen are flattered by the offer.

Circulating – In a social dance situation it is appropriate to dance with a variety of people. Naturally, some people will prefer certain dance partners to others, but this should not prevent them from accepting an offer to dance from a new person. If the same person asks you to dance repeatedly it is acceptable to say, “Thank you, but I’d like to meet and dance with some other people for awhile. I’ll be happy to dance with you again later in the evening.”

Cleanliness –is HEAVEN at a dance. Social dancing is a semi-intimate activity that requires a certain degree of physical closeness. Good hygiene shows respect and consideration for other dancers. Apply a light touch of deodorant/perfume, use breath mints, wear clean clothes, and bring a towel/change of clothes if you tend to sweat a lot. Your partners will thank you for it!

Dancing Close – ALWAYS up to the lady. If your partner resists at all, back off! If you want your partner to enjoy dancing with you, respect their boundaries. A close dance can often be very innocent and a lot of fun – just make sure it's OK with your partner.

Other couples– Be considerate of other dancers on the floor. No aerials or choreographed steps on the social dance floor! A social dance is not a performance or a competition – your job is not to be the best looking dancer on the floor but to connect with your partner in a way that is supportive and enjoyable for both of you.

You and your partner – Avoid patterns that your partner cannot do: dance to the level of your partner.

Never blame your partner for missteps. A simple “thank you” and a smile at the end of a dance acknowledge the time your partner spent with you on the dance floor.

Teaching on Social dance floor – No unsolicited teaching: if your partner did not follow the step you led let it go. It is simply RUDE to stop and teach on the social dance floor!

Inappropriate behaviour –

• Do not decline a dance unless you absolutely have to. Having declined a dance, you should not dance the same song with someone else.
• Never just walk away from your partner during/after a dance. Make sure you thank them, and acknowledge the time they spent with you on the dance floor.

Note:  If you experience rude or offensive behaviour or find the situation on the dance floor unacceptable don’t feel that you have to continue the dance. It is OK to walk away if the behaviour is offensive.

Rotating Partners in a dance class – It has been proven that you will learn to dance 30% faster by dancing with a variety of partners. If you only want to dance with the same partner for your own personal reasons, you may do so by stepping out of the circle and letting your instructor know about it. But remember that the purpose of rotation is to enhance your dancing skills and to allow the instructor to work in with all students in the class. (NB: When rotating partners, be kind to people you dance with: everyone needs to learn and grow.)

In conclusion –Use common sense, respect and manners for an enjoyable dance experience for you and your partner. Thank you for taking time to review the SLG Guide to Dance Etiquette. We hope this will help you enjoy any dancing situation with grace and finesse. See you on the dance floor!