The Journal Of The InnKeeper

www.quora.com/What-are-some-unspoken-rules-of-the-dance-floor/answer/Joreth-Innkeeper

Q. What are some unspoken rules of the dance floor?

A. There aren’t really any “unspoken” rules, there are etiquette guidelines that most people are willing to talk about if anyone brings it up, and some guidelines that are explicitly talked about in classes. Which are which, however, depends on where you are. Some instructors remember to talk about floor etiquette and some don’t.

Basic etiquette includes things like:

• paying attention to the amount of space you’re taking up and how your presence affects other people,


• yielding the floor to avoid collisions,


• inviting people to dance with you without pressuring them,


• accepting rejection gracefully,


• offering rejection gracefully,


• not hogging anyone’s attention by dancing several songs in a row with them and allowing them to dance with others or not dance if they choose not to,


• no food or drinks on the dance floor,


• not smoking near the floor (or indoors, depending on local laws),


• good hygiene,


• proper shoes and attire to protect the floor, yourself, and other dancers,


• matching dance style and skill to your partner, particularly the more advanced dancers simplifying down to match less advanced partners and paying attention to differences in body size and shape and ability,


• thanking your partner for the dance at the end of the song and the person who did the asking ought to escort the other back to where you found them, or if partner-changing is happening quickly, at least acknowledge the goodbye with a nod, handshake, hug, high five, etc.


• Follow the line-of-dance and/or spot dancing rules, especially when there are a mix of dance styles happening at the same time.

There may be others, but they all boil down to courtesy and accountability. Be courteous to those around you and be accountable for your actions.