General
- Progressive dances (waltz, foxtrot, polka, etc.) move counter-clockwise around the dance floor in one of two lanes, fast or slow. The fast lane is the outside lane. Both lanes should remain open and unobstructed by other dancers so as not to stop or slow the flow. When executing intricate turns or practicing a new move, the couple should step into the slow lane or center.
- Swing dancers stay inside the progressive lanes. They should stay close to their partner to maintain control and to keep from monopolizing too much space.
- A smile and sincere apology is in order if you collide or interfere with someone on the dance floor, regardless of who is at fault.
- The gentleman/leader always leads and the lady/follower always accepts the lead and follows. The leader does not push or jerk, but is firm and gentle with each lead. If the couple’s step is not in unison, the leader continues to lead while the follower adjusts her step. If the leader is off beat or on the wrong foot, then they stop and start over. (Beginners do better to stop and restart with any footwork or timing error.)
- Dancers should introduce themselves to their partner at the beginning of the dance, then thank them for the dance at the finish.
Partner Do’s and Don’ts
- Men/Women – please do not correct or teach your partner on the dance floor. The only exception is when the partner has specifically asked for help , but be polite and use discretion and not disrupt other dancers on the floor.
- Men/Women – Please look at your partner occasionally while dancing and not across the room at others; smile and be pleasant. Expressionless people are not fun to dance with.
- Men/Women – If you are an intermediate dancer and you bring a beginner dancer to a beginner class, please follow the instructors’ lesson plan. It is very disruptive for the beginner student and the rest of the class if you try to teach your beginner friend a different lesson from the one being taught by the teacher. It is very confusing for the beginner student as well. Have the courtesy to be quiet and follow the instructor’s lesson plan along with the beginner.
- Men/Women – Please keep each other from bumping into another dance couple while dancing. This is done with a slight forward compression on the upper back of your partner.
- Men/Women – Sweaty palms, if you have this problem be aware that it is uncomfortable to dance with you, but you can reduce the moisture by drying your hands before each dance (hanky). Also, bring wet wipes to clean your hands.
- Men/Women – Please bathe, use deodorant, and mouthwash. Men, if you perspire heavily, bring a dry shirt or two to change into during the dance. Please avoid heavy perfumes, lotions and strong fragrances. Men and Women use mints for garlic breath.
- Men/Women – If you have had too much to drink, you are not fun to dance with and you are even a hazard to dance with! If you plan to drink a lot, please stay off the dance floor! (And have someone else drive you home.)
- Men – Please ask women to dance! There is nothing more discouraging for women to have to sit and wait to be asked to dance. The women will go home and never return. Then the men wonder where all the women are!
- Men – please do not “over dance” with us (over dance means to dance above the woman’s level.) A leader (man) should always start out a dance with an unfamiliar partner with basic moves until she demonstrates ability beyond a beginner dancer. Verbal cues are great with an unfamiliar dance partner.
- Men – please do not strong arm a woman through a dance pattern. She only needs a gentle lead not a wrestling match. You can injure her wrist and shoulders.
- Men – Please offer your hand or arm to walk a lady on and off the dance floor. It’s good etiquette.
- Men – Your Watches! It’s too easy to rip out the lady’s hair as she turns under your arm. Take off the watch.
- Women – Please dance with a man when he asks you but if you prefer not to, for whatever reason, be polite and do not brush him off with a rude attitude! It takes a lot of courage for a man/lady to ask and man/lady to dance and if rejected, we feel as if the whole room is watching.
- Women – Please be more assertive and ask a man to dance; it’s acceptable and most men enjoy being asked.
- Women – Have a good frame while dancing, no “noodle” arms. A man cannot lead a woman without slight forward compression. At the other extreme, do not be so tense, that a man is finding he feels he must use more force for his leads. Find the happy medium tone with partner frame.
- Women (and Men) – Please hold up your OWN arms, in the partner frame. Each one is responsible for their part of the frame. It is very tiring to have to hold up a partner’s arms for them.
- Women – Your Rings! Did you know that rings with tall stones and the brackets that hold them up are injurious to the men’s hands and fingers! Please leave your big stone rings at home. Also, cufflinks, jeweled sleeves, dangling bracelets and such are problems to dance with.
- Women – No hand lotion please! It makes your hands oily and slippery. A man can’t lead well that way.
