Dancing Etiquette

Good hygiene is essential! You will soon be taking a friend or stranger in your arms. Create the best impression! Wash, shampoo, shave and comb. Brush your teeth to sweeten your breath. Dancing is intimate and you need to take special care. It sounds elementary, but we’re all so busy, sometimes we can look frazzled and not even notice. A light (please not heavy) cologne or after shave is a nice touch to make the embrace special.

Men, when asking a woman to dance, extend your hand to her. Lead her on the dance floor. After the dance, take her hand and lead her off the dance floor. Do not leave her on the dance floor after the dance.

Thank each other for dancing together. It’s a courtesy to acknowledge your partner. The more considerate you are, the likely you’ll dance together again. We all like to hear that we’re appreciated.

Please don’t criticize your dancing partner or correct them on the dance floor. We all learn at different speeds and we need to remain supportive of one another.

When the dance floor is very crowded, dance in compact steps. Keep your arms from extending out. You don’t want to step on anybody or strike a fellow dancer with your arms. Be a good neighbor on the dance floor.

* Remember that Social Dancing (Swing and Ballroom) is a fun, enjoyable activity, and should be treated as such.

* Social dancing is a semi-intimate activity that requires a certain degree if physical closeness. Good hygiene before and during the dance shows respect and consideration for the other dancers.

* Like everyone else, performers appreciate it when people appreciate them. So, at the end of a song, always remember to applaud the performers.

* Unless someone asks you directly to make a correction, you should never volunteer criticisms of your social dance partner’s technique. Know that your dance partner is doing the best that he or she can.

* Please don’t congregate around the entrance/exit to the ballroom dance floor. It is better to keep this area clear for dancers entering or leaving the dance floor.

* When there is a collision, everyone involved should stop and apologize, regardless of whose “fault” the collision was. If someone has been stepped on or hurt, you should make sure that person is okay before you resume dancing.

* It’s a good idea to wash your hands well after dancing, especially before eating. This will help reduce the spread of colds and other illnesses.

*when sharing a dance floor with Ballroom Dancers and Swing Dancers, the outside “track” should be reserved for dancers performing traveling steps (Foxtrot, Waltz, etc.), while the middle should be reserved for dancers performing stationary (non-traveling) steps (Swing, Cha-Cha, Salsa, etc.).

* It’s OK to look presentable! Give some thought to what you’re going to wear before going out to a social dance.

* Invite someone new to dance!