Some Etiquette Tips

[Wombat]

I think perfume/cologne is a personal choice, but pleaseuse a deodorant of some kind.

If you sweat, find a way to keep dry - extra shirts, extra breaks, whatever.

It is a cardinal sin to throw dance wax or baby powder on the floor. You don't own the venue, you don't own the floor. If you don't like the way the surface plays out, then you have the wrong shoes, not the wrong floor.

[Tru]

Try looking at the person you're dancing with.

[ontogeny]

Remember that the person you are dancing with may have an injury that you don't know about. Leads can sometimes choreograph the dance to avoid aggravating their injuries but it's harder for follows. This is an additional reason that it isn't a great idea to do lifts or extremely low dips with someone you don't know.

[Suhuy]

Remember for that song every woman you dance with is the loveliest woman in the world.

a paraphrase of Frankie from many years ago.

[Trshgrrrl]

I think perfume/cologne is a personal choice, but pleaseuse a deodorant of some kind.

I second that, and will go further to say that breath mints should be in constant supply in your dance bag.

Seriously nothing worse than dancing with a guy/girl with death breath...

[Nelle]

please don't stand on the floor if you're not dancing, and even move off of the edge when it's crowded. It's easier to stand smooshed than dance smooshed.

[Shanabanana]

*Please don't ask strangers to dance by waggling your hand at them. "Would you like to dance?" is much better than gesturing at them like they've been a good dog and are about to get a treat.

* Don't ever ever ever ever give unsolicited feedback on the dance floor. (If you are a teacher and they are your student, it may be sometimes appropriate if they want some tips.) But that stranger you just asked to dance and then started teaching? Yeah, s/he is probably an instructor. Don't make a fool of yourself and/or humiliate someone by pointing out their flaws.

*Ask the DJ to dance. S/he may not be able to dance at the moment or even that night, but sometimes it's hard to get away and they appreciate the effort.

*If you see a move or pattern that you'd like to learn, it's ok to ask someone to show you something. It's not really fair if it's going to take more than a song, but we all learn from each other all the time. And if you want feedback from someone, feel free to ask. Just ask them before the dance starts so that they have time to think about it.

[RoastOfTheSkidooBoards]

Try looking at the person you're dancing with.

In the eyes is best.

[NghtSkyyStarz]

Asking an instructor to dance.. is extremely intimidating. I don't see how you all can have fun if we keep messing everything up and you keep having to correct us.

[cole]

Add: If the dance floor is exceptionally crowded, consider sitting one out every now and then. If we all follow that rule, the floor should clear up a little. . .

[Tru]

Easy on those kicks that guys like to lay out behind em on 7,8 and 1,2. The merc isn't the place for it Pele.

[AkariBounce]

* It is traditional (especially among more advanced dancers) to dance with others in sets of two songs.

I know this post is a few years old, so I'm wondering if this is still true? I've never noticed a standard of two songs in any city where I have danced.

[Chad the Shagger]

I noticed it was standard when we went to the Merc's tango night. It might be nice if more of us started to practice it more, myself included.

[AkariBounce]

I thought the standard for tango was 3-4 dances and to only dance 2 means they're getting away from you as quick as they can?

[tigerkite]

3 dances for Tango far as I know. Did not know about the 2 dance rule for swing dance till today.

[Angela]

Did not know about the 2 dance rule for swing dance till today.

Denver is the only place I've danced where I've seen people frequently do two songs in a row. Even in Denver, I see it less frequently now than I did two years ago.

[lexxieepooh]

I like the---apologize if you bump into someone----and I'll add...even if it's not your fault....at least acknowledge that someone may have been hurt by throwing a "sorry!" in their direction. This increases your awareness on the dance floor...and brings everyone together.

I'd also add,,,that if you reject someone because you're tried or whatever...that you ask them on a song that you would be able to dance with them on. It makes a big difference because it's hard to take a rejection lightly...even if you know better.

[tianshrsu]

Did not know about the 2 dance rule for swing dance till today.

Denver is the only place I've danced where I've seen people frequently do two songs in a row. Even in Denver, I see it less frequently now than I did two years ago.

It's more of a guideline than an actual rule.
I know, personally, I usually dance at least two unless I owe people dances or my partner owes people dances.

Especially when the first dance was good, I always want another.
And if it wasn't so good, usually on my part, I need a make-up dance.
Or if the first song was particularly short.

I especially like this 'rule' on busy nights, because you don't always get a chance to come back to a person, so it assures you that you'll get at least two dances with a person in one night.

[Newboy]

ooh yeah! If the dance is less than 30 seconds it always warrants another, like yeah.