Etiquette on the Dance Floor

Dance Etiquette

Etiquette not only shows class — it makes you a more effective dancer.

Grace	Ballroom dance is about practicing and displaying class. An appropriate intrepretation of this is allowing others to feel comfortable. Courtesy, kindness, consideration.
Line of Dance.	Don't Hog The Floor! If you aren't moving around the dance floor, move to the middle of the dance floor. Couples performing dances that take them from one location to another (Waltz, Foxtrot) should circle the floor counter-clockwise. If the floor is large enough, couples moving the fastest should be on the outer-most portion of the floor; those moving slower should be closer to the center. Exception: "Spot" and "slot" dances that keep the couple in a confined location such as Cha-Cha, Rumba, Mambo, East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing, should be danced in the center of the floor.

Respect for partners	Gentle Leading/No Back Leading "Leading" doesn't mean shoving, or hauling. It means creating a signal and an opportunity for your partner. "Following" doesn't mean correcting your partner's efforts. It particularly means you don't use your body to direct the leader's movements (back leading). Following means cooperating with those efforts. If either feels the partner needs to improve, sometimes it's best to take more dancing lessons and leave it up to the instructor to correct your partner.
Respect for individuals	In your eagerness to dance with one partner, it's not necessary to signal to others that they simply don't matter. Eye contact and a smile to strangers — or people you know well enough to greet — represents basic manners.
Respect for other couples	Remain aware of what's happening around you. Give others a break whenever possible. At the same time, good dance posture goes a long way toward signaling to other couples the space you require and the direction you intend to head. Particularly with waltz and foxtrot, when you stand properly and hold your arms properly, there are a lot of cues you give off that tell others what to expect so that they can make accommodations for you.
Tips for Men	Dance with a number of different partners, including newcomers and beginning dancers. Master basics, especially a steady lead and a good frame. Escort your partner back to her table. Never leave her in the middle of the dance floor.
Tips for Women	Develop a long, free, back step by swinging from the hip with flexing of the knees. Cultivate lightness.You can do this by practicing the basics. Dance with several partners at a dance, even those with less skill than you. (Plan for the future!) Don't weigh heavily on your partner, forcing him to shove you around the dance floor. Be prepared for his lead with your own balance under control. If you are tall,don't compensate by slouching. This spoils your posture and makes leading you more difficult. If you are short, don't try to appear taller by dancing on your toes. This shortens your steps and makes it difficult for you to follow.

* Thanks to Fran Beatty for many of the ideas above.
For a thorough and worthwhile discussion of dance floor etiquette, visit http://www.swingdancing.com/ and select the button next to the link, "Rules of dance floor etiquette." You will learn something new!

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