Ballroom Dancing is more than a partner dance. Except for any solo performances, Ballroom dancing is a common social activity. Dancing publicly is like driving on the road; drivers have to pay attention to other cars and drivers apart from their own driving. Likewise dancers also have to consider other dancers to avoid all sorts of conflicts on the dance floor.
Japan is one of the rare Asian countries where Ballroom Dance is very well blended into its culture and lifestyle. However, some concerned Ballroom Dance hobbyists wrote in to the editor of the October issue of their own Dance Fan magazine to voice issues that made them worried, mad or puzzled.
Issues that Worried the Dancers
- A reader was wondering whether it was all right to compete in social dance parties. He was also asking whether it was proper to teach somebody how to dance on such occasions. The editorial answer was that in social parties, nobody should dance competitive figures. For the sake of general enjoyment, everybody should dance basic steps with appropriate changes of partner. Such parties were also not the right time to teach others to dance on the floor. On the contrary, competitive dancers might try their floor craft in studio parties or venues where competitors practiced. The most important thing was not to bother other fellow dancers on the same floor.
- Some readers worried that they could not find the Line Of Dance on the floor, causing some unavoidable collisions with other couples. Any dancer should understand that dancing to the Line Of Danceis a very obvious rule on any dance floors. If in doubt, dancers should ask their organizers or whoever is managing the floor. If they crash into other couples, dancers should apologize immediately.
- The dance floor may be a fun place; however, proper greetings and manners are still necessary. Readers were really bothered by rude dancers who did not greet one another properly and dancers who did not invite others to dance with courtesy and sincerity.
- Some readers really hated those male dancers who sweated easily. Dancers who tend to sweat a lot were advised to apologize and wipe their hands.
- It was also frustrating for some readers to dance with partners who could not follow the music. And some readers were in doubt whether to dance basic steps or variations. The fact is, in order to be able to dance with everyone in a party and be in time with the music, it is always better to stick to basic steps at a party.
- Interestingly, readers were also not sure whether to change partners or not at a party. The proper etiquette is to change partners every now and then, and not only to dance with the partner one knows. Other readers were not comfortable with partners who danced syllabus figures differently. In reality, nobody dances a syllabus figure exactly the same way. Dancers should try to appreciate experiencing different dance styles whenever they can.
The Puzzling Issues
- It may sound silly to some, but many readers did not know what was the proper dance attire for parties. Sometimes even when there was a dress code given on the invite like “white tie”, readers would still be in doubt. The truth is, it is not appropriate to dress in untucked T-shirts even at informal parties. This is because in Ballroom dancing, one has to show very clear body lines and movements. For more formal parties, it is always wise to call the organizer in advance to clarify the dress code.
- A reader asked whether dancers should dance with same-sex partners, especially in situation when there were more ladies than men. In this case, the organizer should encourage all the men to take turns inviting all the ladies to dance.
The editor finally suggested thav the basic rule for improving dance manners was to have respect for one's partner and others on the dance floor. The organizer has the extra responsibility to provide details about the kind of dance party he or she is throwing and to invite the right participants.
References:
- "Letters From The Readers - Dance Manner Q & A" , p. 36, Dance Fan Magazine (In Japanese Language), October 2009, Issue No. 286, Byakuya Shobo.
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