Even the most in-sync dancers will bump into someone or step on their toe. When it happens, it is always appropriate to apologize – even if it wasn’t your fault.
When asked to dance, accept all invitations unless you previously promised a different partner or have an injury or other reason that prevents dancing at this time. If you decline an invitation, politely explain why.
Dos
Ballroom dancing is a great way to have fun and meet people around a common interest. However, it is important to approach the social dance scene with a certain amount of etiquette.
Do keep an eye on your partner. It is easy to lose track of your partner while concentrating on the music and other dancers in the room. However, it is important to be aware of your partner’s position at all times so that you do not step on them or cause them any discomfort. This is especially true for leads who are performing lifts or spins and should be careful to not put too much pressure on their partners’ backs or knees.
Do escort your partner onto and off the dance floor. It can feel rude if you dump your partner in the middle of the dance floor and then just walk away, so be sure to always give her your arm and escort her off the floor afterward. It is also polite to thank your partner for the dance and to smile at them as they exit the floor.
Do wear comfortable Dancer Shoes. It can be hard to dance in uncomfortable shoes, which will make it more difficult to move quickly and fluidly. Additionally, it is important to wear shoes that are appropriate for the dance you are attending. If you are planning on doing a lot of fast dancing, then consider wearing shoes with a higher heel for better support.
If you want to dance with someone, be sure to ask them first. It is rude to try to grab someone by the hand and force them to dance with you. Be unambiguous and direct when asking them, making eye contact to ensure that you are understood.
Do not talk while you are dancing. It is frustrating and awkward to be forced to listen to a conversation when you are trying to get some exercise. It is best to wait until you are off the dance floor or have a break from dancing to start any conversations with other members of the ballroom community.
Don’ts
When a song ends, it’s best to exit the dance floor as soon as possible. Don’t hang back or chat and risk blocking couples from executing their turns. It’s also impolite to stay and watch other couples dance. If you want to continue dancing, you can return later, after the crowds thin.
It’s never appropriate to grab someone by the arm or hand quickly, even when asking them to dance. It’s uncomfortable and unnerving for them and can feel like you are invading their personal space. Instead, offer to dance or simply extend your hand for them to take when they are ready.
During a dance, you should only talk when necessary to maintain eye contact and focus on your partner. Even though it is fun to have a conversation, you should still remember that this is a social dance and not a time for gossip or complaining. If you see something wrong, politely point it out to your partner before continuing to dance or simply ask them to stop.
Although you should always be careful not to overdance, you can occasionally go a bit faster than your partner is comfortable with. It is important to always keep in mind that they may have an injury, or that this might be a new type of dance for them. It is not fair to the both of you to continue on when they are uncomfortable.
Some people will monopolize dancers and ignore others on the floor, but good etiquette encourages both Leads and Follows to ask other couples to dance. It is especially a good idea for the better dancers to invite beginners to dance.
While it is great to be able to execute many advanced moves, social dancing is not the place for these techniques. Performing lifts, back-to-back rotations, and other complex maneuvers will not improve your dancing, and they are likely to cause collisions with other couples on the dance floor. It is also a bad idea to skip steps or use steps you haven’t learned yet, especially on a crowded dance floor.
Apologize for Collisions
With so many people on the dance floor and different levels of skill, collisions are almost inevitable. If you run into another couple, it is courteous to apologize — even if the accident wasn’t your fault. This shows you’re concerned that your dancing isn’t causing any physical discomfort to others.
If the collision is serious, escort your partner off the dance floor and check that they are okay. Then ask if you can dance with them again. It’s never appropriate to criticize someone else’s dancing, but if they ask for feedback, you can provide it with a smile.
Unless the dancer is an advanced student, it’s usually not a good idea to attempt advanced dance patterns with them. This will likely confuse them and make them feel bad about their dancing. If the person asks for feedback, you can ask if they would prefer to talk about it after the dance night is over and away from the dance floor.
Arm styling can be an asset in certain dances, but it’s also important to remember that the arm movements are often visible to other couples on the floor. This can be a distraction, especially in crowded situations. If you can, limit your arm styling to where it will not be a visible distraction.
When dancing with a leader, be sure to leave at least 1 metre of space between you and other couples. This will allow them room to move and avoid cutting off other dancers’ running steps. Leaders should also be careful when merging to avoid kicking or bumping into onlookers. It is courteous to apologize if you slam into someone with your arms or if you accidentally step on their feet.
In class, be sure to follow the rotation instructions provided by your instructor. This will ensure that you get to dance with a variety of partners and will help the class accomplish more in less time. It’s also important to be respectful of other dance students – don’t skip the line of rotation or give unsolicited advice. Lastly, it’s important to applaud the band at the end of each song (if applicable). This will show them that you appreciate their hard work and talents.
Follow the Leader
Dancing is a partnership, and you’re both responsible for making sure that your partner is comfortable and has a good time. If you’re a leader and your partner seems to be struggling, it’s perfectly fine to ask them if they want to take a break or try something a little more simple. It’s a great idea to start out with steps that are easy for your partner and gradually build up to more advanced moves, but always listen to their feedback.
When a mistake is made, it’s important to look at your partner and apologize, even if it’s not your fault. This shows respect and makes the other person feel better about themselves, too. If you happen to bump into another couple, it’s always polite to immediately glance back and apologize, even if it wasn’t your fault.
A great follower should never suggest moves to their leader, as this can pressure them into dances that they may not be ready for or capable of leading well. It’s the leader’s job to select which figures to lead, based on their knowledge and experience, as well as what they remember to be successful in a particular dance.
It is also impolite to talk or sing during a dance, especially in a loud environment. This can distract other couples and interfere with their ability to enjoy the music. If you must chat with your partner, take a step outside the dance floor or go to the side where there is less foot traffic.
It’s also a good idea to walk your partner off the dance floor when you’re finished dancing. This helps preserve the integrity of the dance floor and gives your partner a chance to survey the room for their next dance opportunity. Depending on the situation, this may not be possible with every song, but it is a nice gesture when the music is ending or if your partner wants to take a break to talk to a friend or socialize with other dancers.