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Ballroom Dance Resource - Articles on Dancing Here's another wonderful dance article on Ballroom dancing etiquette from Rene Zgraggen's information-packed website"Dance Etiquette" Ballroom dancing etiquette is a set of traditional rules covering your behavior on and off the dance floor. In addition, it incorporates some guides designed to ensure your partners' and your own comfort and safety. Wear comfortable but appropriate clothes. At most dances a dress code is specified and you will not be welcomed with open arms if you don't comply with the dress code. Ladies, bare back dresses may provide you with comfort during a hot day, but for dancing neither you nor your partner will feel comfortable with the hand/skin contact. Men, empty your trouser pockets before dancing. Keys, valets or other items protruding from you pockets interfere with dancing and can be very uncomfortable for your partner. Ladies, do not wear rings or bracelets. You can cut your partner's hand, face or other parts of his body, especially during quick dances with lots of turning. The same applies to dangling jewelry such as earrings or pendants. During a fast turn such items can swing around and hit your partner. At many dances, women outnumber the men. As a man you should ask as many women to dance as possible, depending on your stamina and level of accomplishment. Don't dance with a stranger if you don't know the particular dance. When you ask a women to dance use a phrase such as: "May I have this dance?" When you walk to the dance floor, take your partner's hand. Don't just walk to the floor with your partner trailing behind you. In many places it is becoming perfectly appropriate for a women to ask a man to dance. The same rules apply in these cases except that the roles are reversed and, instead of taking the man's hand to lead him to the dance floor, offer your hand to him. You should graciously accept a request to dance, except if you are physically unable, in need of a rest, or if you don't know the particular dance. In the latter case, you can tell your partner that you don't know the dance. He may graciously offer to try and teach you. If you refuse a dance, never subsequently accept another offer to dance for the same song. When accepting a dance use a phrase such as: "Certainly". There is a "no monopolizing" rule, meaning that the women may excuse herself after two or three successive dances to provide the man with an opportunity to ask another partner. This rule encourages mixing and more opportunities for all to dance. This rule does not apply if you go dancing as a pair. In this case, the female partner should encourage her escort to occasionally dance with other women. Be considerate of your partner. Avoid giving helpful hints or criticizing, or dancing for the benefit of onlookers. Be considerate of other couples. Avoid difficult steps when the floor is crowded. Apologize if you bump into another couple. Ladies, don't lead if you want to be asked to dance by the same man again. Don't lean against your partner. Don't let your arm rest heavily on the man's arm. Men, don't clutch your partner against you. Let her decide the distance between you. While in advanced dancing, body contact is encouraged, many ladies feel uncomfortable dancing too close. Women should not huddle in groups because it intimidates men and may prevent them from asking you to dance. Avoid singing, counting out loud, or chewing gum to the tempo of the music as you dance. The main advantage of these rules is that they encourage positive interactions and continual interchanges. The atmosphere is similar to a group date, because the group members constantly interrelate throughout an evening of dancing, with each member fulfilling the role of host or hostess. Here are some additional courtesies everyone should observe: Introduce yourself, and introduce other people who
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