Social dance functions such as ballroom and latin dance lessons and dances have general rules involving etiquette. Below are some guidlines to follow to help your social experience more enjoyable for you and others:
- Personal hygiene:
- Avoid foods such as garlic, onions and spicy foods before dancing
- Have mints or gum on your person or in your bag for fresh breath
- Absolutely wear deodorant
- Do NOT wear heavy perfumes, as many people are allergic
- Bring an extra shirt if you feel you may need one
- Dance shoes:
- Bring proper shoes for dancing to help you dance and avoid damaging the floor: you should have shoes with a slippery sole (such as leather) and shoes that are firmly on your foot. Ladies should wear shoes that cover the heel, not slingbacks or mules, as they are dangerous.
- Saying “no thank you”
- If you are asked to dance and for some reason need to refuse, it is not polite to accept another partner for that dance. Make sure you sit that song out.
- You are not obligated to dance with anyone, especially if in your experience there is a good reason to refuse to dance with that person. If someone is behaving inappropriately or dancing too roughly, etc., please notify a staff member.
- Personal space:
- Let the less experienced dancer set the appropriate distance when dancing with a closed position.
- Don’t correct your partner’s dancing:
- It is considered rude to correct someone else’s dancing at a social dance. Leave the instructing to the pros!
- Lifts, dips and drops:
- It is not appropriate to expect someone to lead or follow these types of moves at a social dance. It can be very dangerous for either partner and also dangerous for those around you. Avoid these types of moves at a dance party.
- Traveling dances:
- Traveling dances (such as Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep) are danced counter-clockwise along the outer-edge of the dance floor, allowing dancers doing spot dances to dance in the center of the floor.
- Stationary dances:
- Stationary dances (such as Cha Cha, Salsa, Rumba, Bolero, Swing) are danced in the center of the floor, allowing those doing traveling dances to dance to the same music.
- Stopping:
- If you are done dancing, please move off the dance floor to talk or rest. Do not completely stop during a traveling dance while on the floor.
