Social Ballroom dancing is one of life’s rare opportunities for pure fun.
It is important to remember, however, that social Ballroom dancing is a social activity which requires interpersonal as well as physical grace. Being a considerate and thoughtful dance partner can ensure a wonderful experience. Dance courtesy is even more important than a social dancer’s physical technique. It is not always intuitive but it can be learned. To this end we provide you with the following guidelines of Dance Etiquette
May I have this dance?
When you ask someone to dance, be sure to make eye contact with your prospective partner, offer your hand, and ask clearly, “Would you like to dance?” If your partner says yes, smile, offer your hand and escort him or her on to the dance floor and into dance position. This will make your partner feel supported and at ease.
Yes, thank you, I’d love to dance
When someone asks you to dance, your response should be, “Yes thank you, I’d love to.” In a social Ballroom dance environment, it is customary to say “yes: when someone asks you to dance. In order for dancing to be a joyous activity, it is important that social dancers are supportive and kind to each other at all skill levels.
You dance divinely
During the dancing, be sure to be aware of your partner. Smile and make eye contact, but don’t stare. It is fun to dance with a partner who is gracious and appreciative. At the end of the dance ALWAYS say ‘thank you’ to your partner and begin to escort them off the floor.
When to say no
When a person asks you to dance, it is appropriate to say no if you have danced with this person before and he or she has been physically or verbally abusive. It is also appropriate to say no if the person is obviously drunk or threatening in some way. If you feel that a dancer is physically dangerous to the other dancers, or intoxicated, you should report the situation immediately to a member of the Dancesport Kingdom team.
Unless someone is truly offensive, it is not appropriate to say no simply because your partner may have still be developing their dance technique. While dancing with this person may not be considered wonderful for you from a dance perspective, this should be considered an opportunity to deliver a wonderful experience to a newer dancer, and complete the cycle that you were a part of when you started dancing.
Circulating
In a social ballroom dance situation where there are combined singles and couples, it is appropriate to dance with a variety of people. It is generally poor dance etiquette to partner up and dance with the same person all evening long. There are exceptions when a couple attend a social Ballroom dance together, however. 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, for several dances in a row, it is acceptable to tell that person, “thank you, but I’d like to meet and dance with some other people for a while. I’ll be happy to dance with you again later in the evening”.
Cleanliness is heaven at a dance
Social Ballroom dancing is a quasi-intimate activity that requires a certain degree of physical closeness. Good hygiene shows respect and consideration for the other dancers. Dancers should bathe, use deodorant, use breath mints, floss and wear clean clothes that will not be too hot. Some dancers sweat a great deal while Ballroom dancing. In this case, it is considerate to bring a towel and/or change of clothes. If you find yourself getting too sweaty on the dance floor, you should stop, dry off, and cool down for a few minutes. Your partner will thank you for it. Dancers should also use a light touch applying perfume or cologne. Some people may be sensitive to fragrances.
Your ballroom partner’s technique
Unless someone asks you directly to make a correction of their dancing, you should never volunteer criticisms of your dance partner’s technique. Know that your dance partner is doing the best he or she can. A social dance is also not the place to teach your partner.
If your partner is dancing off time, you should view the situation as a challenge to dance to the same internal rhythms as your partner. Your partner is not dancing off time intentionally. Again, he or she is doing the best he or she can. Do your best to respect each others rhythms. If your partner is physically hurting you, it is probably inadvertent. You should stop dancing for a second, and say “I’m sorry, but you’re holding my hand a little tightly. Could we try again?” Social Ballroom dancing should never be physically painful or dangerous.
Floor Craft
In order for a social Ballroom dance to be enjoyable for all participants, it is crucial to be considerate and aware in your floor craft, and not get too close or crash into other dancers. No matter how much you may want to swing out, on a crowded dance floor your primary consideration should be respect for the other couples on the floor. You don’t have to dance big to have fun.
At times, collisions do occasionally occur in the heat of the moment. When there is a collision, everyone involved should stop and apologise, regardless of whose “fault” it was. If someone has been hurt, you should make sure that person is okay before you resume dancing. Sometimes people are not okay after a collision. In this case, you should escort the person off the floor to a chair and see if that person needs ice, a drink of water or medical attention.
Careful observation of the traffic lanes in a ballroom can prevent mishaps. In Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep and Samba, dancers move in a counterclockwise circle around the floor. This circle is known as “line of dance”. The very outside lane of the line of dance is the “fast lane”; it is generally used by very experienced dancers who cover a great deal of ground. The inside lane is for less experienced dancers who may be moving a bit more slowly. Beginners and those who would like to practice the basic steps without traveling can stay on the inside of the circle, out of the line of dance completely.
In addition — It is considered inappropriate to cut across the dance floor, especially when carrying food or drink. Also, remember to move off the dance floor when engaged in conversation.
Group Ballroom Class Etiquette
All of the same dance etiquette considerations for dances also apply in a group class environment.
Rotating Partners
It has been proven that you will learn to Ballroom dance 30% faster by dancing with a variety of partners. Sometimes, in our group classes and at socials, we have you rotate. Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself to your new partners.
If you only want to dance with the same partner in a group class situation, you may do so by stepping out of the circle each time the instructor ask you to rotate. This way, it is clear that you are not part of the rotation.
In order for dancing to be the joyous activity that it is, it is important that social Ballroom dancers are supportive and kind to each other no matter what level the dancer is at. You should never refuse to rotate to a particular partner because you don’t think that person is good enough. Everyone needs to grow and learn. Rotating partners enhances your dancing.
At socials where singles are encouraged, there will be a few brackets of progressive dances. It is wonderful etiquette to be social and join in these dance brackets, even if you are part of a couple. Once in a rotation of progressive dance, it is poor etiquette to leave that rotation, until the DJ announces that the dance bracket is finished.
This is over my head!
If you really can’t get the step, you can tell your partner that you need to step out of the rotation for a minute to try to master the steps on your own.
IN CONCLUSION
Thank you for taking the time to review this Guide to Dance Etiquette at Dancesport Kingdom. Keep in mind to use common sense, respect, and manners for an enjoyable dance experience for both you and your partner. We hope this will help you enjoy any dancing situation with grace and finesse.
THE PURPOSE OF DANCING IS TO LOVE DOING IT!
Social Ballroom dancing is pure fun. This fun can be dampened by a snobbish, superior attitude and/or any kind of lack of consideration for your fellow dancers. A social dance is not a dance competition – your job is not to be the best looking dancer on the floor but to connect with each partner in a way that is supportive and enjoyable for both of you. Partner dancing is not a performance, and it is not about winning or losing. It is an activity which is above all, fun, and will enable you to share your love of dancing and music with another person.
Now go out there and experience the pure fun of social dancing!