Dance Etiquette for Social Dancing

To and From the Dance Floor

• Introduce yourself to your dance partner.
• Gentlemen should escort ladies to the dance floor and then back to their seats.
• Embracing: It's the lady's prerogative how close she wants to be held. The gentleman can readjust if he feels she's too close -- but not if he feels she's not close enough.

Dance Traffic

• For progressive dances, the line of dance should be counter-clockwise.
• Dance partners progressing quickly should travel around the outer edge of the dance floor. Slower dancers who dance in place should stay near the center of the dance floor.
• Acknowledge and apologize for bumping into another couple on the dance floor -- even if it's not your fault.
• During a song, walk around the dance floor when you're not dancing rather than taking a short cut across the dance floor.

One-on-One on the Dance Floor

• In a social dance setting don't offer unsolicited "dance instruction."
• Gentlemen should remember: "The primary job of a male dancer is to make his partner look good."
• Experienced dancers should dance at the level of their less experienced partners.
• Gentleman put your keys and coins in your left pants pocket.  They're less likely to impact your partner there.
• Gentleman put your keys and coins in your left pants pocket.  They're less likely to impact your partner there.
• Applaud live bands.