- It is more polite to ask a partner to dance than to stand on
the sidelines watching.
- Politely ask a partner to dance. Gentlemen should be polite
and ask for a dance using phrases such as: “May I have this
dance?”, “Would you like to dance?”, Ladies should accept an
invitation graciously wth “Certainly.”, “Yes, I would love
to.”
- Follow the no monopolizing rule, follower may excuse herself
after two successive dances to provide the leader with an
opportunities to ask another partner. This rule encourages mixing
and more opportunities for all to dance.
- A leader should not cut it on a dancing couple without first
asking any follower who is not dancing whether she would like to
dance.
- Followers should not huddle in groups, it makes it harder for
the leaders to ask them to dance.
- Introduce yourself, as well as other people you know who do
not know each other.
- While dancing the ballroom dances, the leader may extend his
left hand to the follower who moves forward to accept the invitation
by grasping his open left palm with her right hand and by moving
into a closed dance position with the leader in preparation to move
together with the music.
When Dancing with a Partner,
- Be considerate of your partner. Avoid giving hints,
criticizing, or dancing for the benefit of onlookers- showing off at
the expense of your partner.
- Move in unison with your partner. Avoid leading your partner
as you would an object.
- The leader is responsible for choreeography on the dance
floor. Avoid elaborate and complex combinations with a new partner.
Focus on the basic steps to the music, then gradually add
variations.
- Be considerate of other couples. Avoid executing long
routines and horizontal arm extensions, especially when the floor is
crowded.
- The follower should let the leader lead, have patience that
the leader is doing his best.
- Do not offer advice on the dance floor unliess you are
specifically asked for your opinion.
- The follower's arms should not rest heavily on the leader's
arm and hand. Both leader and follower need to keep a good frame.
- The leader's right hand should not slip down below the
follower's left shoulder blade.
- Avoid singing, counting out loud, or chewing gum to the music
as you dance.
- If you accidentally bump someone, offer an apology.
- Inconspicuously and gently lead a partner through an unknow
step, or move to the side to avoid blocking traffic.
- Do not eat, drink, or stand and talk on the dance floor when
others are dancing.
After Dancing with a Partner,
- Etiquette does not stop immedately when the dance or music is
over, the leader should escort the partner back to where she was
asked to dance.
- Both partners thank each other for the dance.
- During an evening of dance, share the fun by dancing with
many different partners.
- At the end of the evening, thank the official host or hostess.