Ballroom dancing can sometimes look elegant and effortless, but there are some unspoken rules of etiquette that should always be observed.
The grace and elegance with which ballroom dancers take the floor is intriguing, but any dancer will tell you dancing with ease takes work and practice. Here at Quick Quick Slow Ballroom Dance Studio, we want everyone, from beginners to advanced students, to feel welcome and challenged, yet comfortable. The following are a few previously unwritten rules of etiquette to observe on any dance floor, that will keep you from stepping on someone's toes (pun intended.)
1. Politely ask your partner to dance. If they decline, do not make a big deal out of it and try not to take it personally.
2. Leaders, lead your partner to the dance floor by reaching out for their hand. Do not grab their hand and pull them with you, but offer your hand palm up and allow them to place their hand on yours. Then you can lead her forward towards the floor.
3. Leaders should lead with a subtle pressure of the hands indicating which direction to go, not by pushing and pulling their partner around.
4. When a song ends you should ask your partner if they would like to continue dancing, before assuming as much. Your partner may like a break to get water.
5. Do not interrupt the flow of the room. If the entire room is rotating counter-clockwise, do not go clockwise.
6. One of the most frequently violated rules of social dance etiquette is easy to make. We can get so caught up in what we are doing with our own partner that we forget to watch out for others. Leaders must watch out for their partner's safety and those of the other couples on the floor, leading her out of harm's way if necessary. If an unintended collision does occur, apologize politely to your partner and to the other couple involved.
Now that you know the basics of ballroom dance etiquette, you can take the floor with confidence! Contact us to sign up for your first or next lesson!