| Social Dancing Courtesy at first may seem to be a | | | | woman to dance with him. |
| very old-fashioned idea. Yet politeness and | | | | On taking to the floor, it is most important to try and |
| consideration for other people is timeless and will | | | | avoid causing any problems for the other dancers. In |
| always be appreciated. The following paragraphs | | | | the ballroom dances, normally the man starts a dance |
| teach a some broad guidelines and, if followed | | | | facing the wall. It may seem quite natural for him to |
| correctly, will contribute a great deal to the enjoyment | | | | walk onto the dance floor backwards while focusing |
| of your dancing time and to others enjoying theirs. | | | | his attention on his partner. This often creates an |
| It is quite normal in a number of dance clubs to dance | | | | annoying and an unnecessary hazard for the other |
| with different partners throughout the evening, | | | | dancers already on the floor. The best method is to |
| therefore it is only fair to at least dance the first and | | | | approach the floor and gauge the flow of traffic |
| the last dance with the partner with whom you came. | | | | before you take up your starting position, show due |
| Before a man asks a woman to dance, he should | | | | care and consideration for other dancers. |
| watch her dance first with someone else and carefully | | | | Show consideration for the other dancers already on |
| take note of what she is doing. This is so he won't | | | | the floor especially when it is crowded. Try to avoid |
| cause her any embarrassment by launching into a | | | | dance moves which need a lot of room where there |
| death defying routine, especially if this is her first dance | | | | is no room to do them. If you seem to keep bumping |
| event. | | | | into other people on the dance floor, then it's time to |
| The same applies to a partner whom you have never | | | | cool it. |
| met before. Gradually build up and start with the | | | | Anyway, it is always much nicer for you to be able to |
| basics. If your partner has difficulty doing something, | | | | dance close to your partner when the floor is |
| then just smile and enjoy doing something that she can | | | | crowded, and it is the perfect opportunity to engage in |
| do. | | | | conversation. |
| Do not try to show off. No one likes a show off at the | | | | When the dance finishes, politely thank your partner |
| best of times, least of all at a dance evening and with | | | | and give him or her, the option of dancing the next |
| a new partner. | | | | dance with you. Don't automatically assume that they |
| If you do go to visit a dance event and you don't have | | | | will. When leaving the dance floor, the man should |
| a partner, and many people are in this situation, avoid | | | | escort his partner to the edge of the floor, if not all the |
| trying to keep that one partner for the whole event. If | | | | way back to her seat. If leaving the floor, especially |
| things work out alright, then you can make a date to | | | | during a dance, the same politeness and consideration |
| visit again as a couple. | | | | should always be shown. |
| Women should remember that it often takes a lot of | | | | If you are leaving the floor before the music has |
| courage for a man to ask a woman for a dance. If a | | | | ended in a travelling dance, you should try and dance |
| man does come over and ask you to dance with him, | | | | to the edge of the floor and then leave the floor at |
| try and act flattered and agree to dance with him. If he | | | | that point. |
| is really not to your liking, then you can make your | | | | Under no circumstances should drinks be taken onto |
| polite excuses should he come and ask you again. At | | | | the dance floor. They are likely to be spilled which not |
| least, you have been courteous and allowed him to | | | | only spoils the floor, but also broken glass on a dance |
| dance with you. | | | | floor is extremely dangerous. If you have to pass the |
| If you are a beginner or just shy, the man will normally | | | | dance floor coming back from the bar, find a better |
| appreciate your modesty in telling him so that he won't | | | | place or wait until all the dancers are finished. There |
| launch into his very own version of "Saturday Night | | | | should be no smoking on the dance floor. It is disgusting |
| Fever". | | | | and dangerous and the height of bad manners. |
| On the other hand, it possibly could be the man who | | | | Remember that politeness and consideration can go a |
| introduces himself as the beginner when asking a | | | | long way and is always welcomed by others. |
