Ballroom dancing is a unique hobby in that it is something that is generally done with a partner—sometimes people who have never even met—and many pairs of dancers share one crowded dance floor at any given time. Because of the social aspects and space requirements of ballroom dancing, etiquette is very important. Using good dance etiquette does not mean dancers cannot have fun! On the contrary, following a few simple rules makes things more fun for everyone.
Dance Etiquette: Asking People to Dance
The only way to get out on the dance floor at a ballroom dance is for one person to ask another to dance. When dancers have regular partners, this part is easy. However, dancers who are alone may find it difficult at first to ask others to dance.
While in long-ago times it was considered forward for women to ask men to dance, it is now very commonplace and expected. At most ballroom dances, men and women ask each other to dance alternately—and it is also very common for couples who attend together to split up and dance with other people as well as each other.
If a dancer does not know who to ask for a dance or wants to wait to be asked, they should stand near the dance floor, looking relaxed and happy—like they want to dance. Sulking in a corner is a great way to scare off potential partners. Body language is an important indicator of whether a person wants to dance.
It is generally considered bad manners to decline a dance invitation. Each song only lasts for about three minutes, so unless the asker is physically painful or otherwise upsetting to dance with, the askee should accept—or avoid the asker subtly before being asked so as not to hurt their feelings. Not wanting to dance with beginners simply because it is boring is not very nice—and another way to scare off potential partners.
Sometimes when advanced dancers and teachers attend ballroom dances, they do not get asked to dance because other dancers are intimidated by them. This is silly! Everyone is there to dance. As long as the advanced dancer looks like he or she wants to dance, anyone should feel free to ask them. However, asking for a critique or free lesson at a party is very poor dance etiquette.
Ballroom Dance Etiquette on the Dance Floor
Because dance floors can be very crowded, it is important to use good floorcraft—the art of moving around the floor without crashing or cutting anyone off. This is the leader’s job, although if the follower can see that the leader is about to back into someone, she can warn him or squeeze his shoulder to stop it from happening.
Traffic flows in a counter-clockwise direction, with faster dancers generally staying on the outside of the track and slower dancers toward the middle, although there is often some zig-zagging involved. Dancers who are not traveling very much at all should be in the center of the floor. Those who wish to interrupt their travel around the floor to do a picture line, such as an oversway or dip, should either do so deep in the corner or in the middle of the floor where they will not be in anyone’s way.
Ballroom dancing is a wonderful, fun social hobby that is best enjoyed when everyone learns and employs a few simple rules of dance etiquette.
