Dance Hall Etiquette

Members of Dakota Country Dance Club may have noticed that our by-laws call for members to exhibit proper Dance Hall Etiquette. It's important for all of us to be polite whether we are at a DCDC dance, taking a group lesson, or visiting a distant dance hall. Dance Hall Etiquette is not necessarily defined in any one place, but one of our past presidents penned a great article for our newsletter. The tips are taken from an on-line document called "Dance Etiquette" by Sonny Watson.

1. It is always good manners to make another person feel comfortable. We should be aware of new guests at our events, and make a point to introduce ourselves, ask them to dance, or just chat with them.
2. If you are asked to dance and you know the person knows how to dance, just say "Sure!" Depending on your experience with other dances you may have to change gears and try doing what they are doing instead of trying to force them to adapt to you. If it is unbearable, just quietly excuse yourself. Do not say "You Suck! Take a lesson!" and storm off the floor.
3. Generally, if you did the asking (male or female), it is a custom to walk your partner back to their seat, however, walking them back to the edge of the floor is preferred. Walking your partner back to their seat seems only necessary if you interrupted a conversation or they were with a date or you both were sitting in the same area. The edge of the floor is less presumptuous.
4. During group dance lessons - instructors deserve your utmost attention. This is not a social time. Singles and couples are always welcome at lessons. DCDC members are encouraged to partner up with single people for a lesson if possible, so everyone can learn and enjoy.
5. Bring or wear appropriate footware. Wooden dance floors in places like dance studios are highly maintained. It is usually appreciated if you remove your street shoes and wear shoes with leather or smooth soles, or even just your socks.
6. Upon leaving, don't just disappear. Tell the folks you met good-bye, thanks for the dances or help, whatever. This will help them remember you the next time. They may even invite you to join them on another dance night.
7. Remember that your personality is the most important thing that you bring when you go out dancing. And, it's nobody's responsibility but yours to have a good time.

Dance Floor Etiquette

Dance flow diagram

The following is re-printed with permission from the good folks over at Hooked on Country Dancin'**

Country Western Dance floor etiquette is a topic that can't be stressed enough. Now this page is not all inclusive and is general in nature but should give you the basic idea of Country/Western Dance Floor Etiquette. As you read through them try to remember it all boils down to just being friendly, polite, and respectful to other dancers and using a little common courtesy.

Common Country/Western dance floors are divided into Lanes and Areas. The outside lane is the FAST lane. Traffic moves around the dance floor in a counter-clockwise direction. If you are going slow, stay in an inner lane and let people pass you on the outside. The closer you go to the center, the slower you may go.

Use the entire lane when doing a progressive dance. In other words, don't cut the corners or dance across the floor (unless it can't be helped).

If you are doing a stationary dance such as a line dance or swing dance instead of a progressive dance, you should dance in the center area of the floor. Line dancers, swingers, free-stylers, etc. should stay out of the lanes. If they see a couple progressing towards them in the lanes they should make an attempt to get out of the way. Couple dancers should realize that line dancing is popular and sometimes the floor fills up (Cha Cha, Mambo Shuffle, Tush Push, etc.). When this happens it's best to wait for another song.

A hardwood dance floor should be treated with care. Drinks, food, cigarettes, chewing gum or any other foreign substance should never be brought onto the dance floor as this can be both dangerous and unpleasant. When you spill liquid on a hardwood floor, it leaves a dangerous wet spot. Even when it dries, this spot is pretty much ruined for the dancers the rest of the night because it becomes "tacky" and they cannot slide across it.

Don't use the dance floor for a pathway to the other side of the bar. I'd be willing to bet there is another way around to the other side. A dance floor is for dancing on and not meant to be used as a sidewalk.

Don't bump into other dancers. To this end, Leaders plan your moves so you don't run into anyone. And Followers don't be afraid to warn the Leader about a dancer s/he can't see. If by accident you do bump into someone, just apologize to them and be more careful next time. It's a fairly accepted practice that when a collision occurs, apologize, EVEN if it wasn't your fault.

Remember, no one's perfect. On the dance floor, don't teach, offer suggestions or critique your partner's dancing unless they ask you to or they give you permission - dancing is meant to be fun, not stressful. If someone makes a mistake, the best thing is to just smile and keep going!

When a song/dance is over leave the dance floor. Don't hang out on the floor socializing. Even standing on the floor against the rail is not safe. This is the fast progressive dance lane. Think about it. Would you lean against the inside rail of a horse track during a race?

**External Links Disclaimer: As a service to its members and visitors, Dakota Country Dance Club offers links from its website to resources and websites developed by private organizations. These links are provided as a resource only, and the inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement or support of information, products, or services offered by any organization other than the Dakota Country Dance Club. Information contained on such linked resources should be independently verified.