DANCE ETIQUETTE

Your happiness in social dancing depends more on you than anyone else. If you are determined to have a good time, and have a good attitude, you have a good chance of enjoying your dancing experience. You can also increase your chances of a happy dancing experience by remembering this: You are happy when your partner is happy. Do what you can to make it comfortable and enjoyable for your partner to dance with you. Be nice to other dancers, continue to improve your dancing, and you will have a progressively more enjoyable dancing experience.
The key to enjoyment in dancing is awareness of your goal: to enjoy dancing. Enjoyment is contagious and cumulative. People like to be around individuals who enjoy themselves. Ultimately no-one and nothing can make you happy or unhappy. Only you can make you happy but dancing can help.

We hope that you find the following ‘mistakes’ helpful. They're adapted from Rik Panganiban's blog. Happy dancing!

Top Ten Mistakes Made By Lindy Hoppers

10    Apologize (Too Much)

You are a new dancer. You are nervous about your lack of ability on the dance floor. The best strategy is to not apologize to your dance partner.  I know it seems like the nice thing to do, but really there is no point. If you absolutely must give some kind of proviso, keep it short, like "Just so you know, I'm just a beginner."  Repeated apologies for each move are not necessary.

9    Do Too Many Moves

This is mostly for the leaders, but followers can be just as guilty.  Don't feel like you have to squeeze in every single move you ever learned into every second of the dance.  That's a good way to confuse your partner, which is not cool.  And it doesn't make you look better, it actually makes you look worse.  Remember: less is more.

8    Monopolize the "Good" Dancers

It is really exciting to ask someone who you think is really amazing to dance. Some believe, however, that if you dance only with the more experienced dancers - you will get better faster. You may also upset many of the dancers that you are shunning.  Dance with everybody - remember we’re all in it together.

7    Wear the Same Hot, Sweaty Shirt

As this a partner dance, this brings you fairly close to your partner. You may notice a number of things that may affect your dancing experience: body odour, bad breath, large rings with large stones, long nails etc. It's hard dancing this ridiculous dance and yet you have to think about so many things even before you start dancing, but it pays when your partners enjoy dancing with you without having to hold their breath. If you smoke, wash your hands and  chew a mint afterwards. If you sweat a lot, bring a change of clothing.  Wearing deodorant would also help you to stay smelling fresh and lovely all night long.

6    Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk

I'm sure you are a fascinating individual with a rich life story. But if you tell it to your partner on the dance floor, you and your partner will find it hard to focus on the story or the dance. Do one thing at once.  If you want a conversation, why not save it for after the dance?

5    Correct your Partner or Offer Advice

Never, ever, ever EVER offer advice, suggestions or critiques on the social dance floor. Few things drive  someone more crazy than a constant barrage of unsolicited advice.  Remember this: if you focus on your partner’s mistakes, you are not paying enough attention to your own dancing. Don’t focus on creating the perfect partner - focus on being the perfect partner. You’ll both have far more fun.
The only time when advice is even moderately acceptable is if the person you are dancing with is (1) someone you know, and (2) asks for help.

4    Chat People Up

Most serious lindy hoppers go to a swing dance to dance, and sometimes to socialise with friends - and that’s it. Not that there’s anything wrong with dating in the scene - far from it.  Many of us do, since we spend so much of our time hours lindy hopping anyway.  But be warned, if you treat a dance as a pulling exercise, and go around chatting up every cute guy or girl that walks in the door, you could quickly get a reputation as a creep.

3    Drink to "Loosen Up"

Lindy hop requires a great deal of physical coordination, stamina, creativity, and attention -- all attributes that are not improved by alcohol.  Have a beer, have a glass of wine if you like. But don't imbibe to the degree that your movements are not all within your control.  You might feel better, but you won't dance better.

2    Collide with Other Dancers

Social dancing, particularly lindy hop, quite naturally results in people bumping into each other on occasion.  While this can’t always be avoided, do try to take care.Most time, collision avoidance is up to the leader.  The follower routinely is traveling backwards, often at the mercy of whatever is being led.  She is trusting her partner to keep her out of harm's way.
If and when you or your partner bump into someone else, please apologize to the person… even if you think it was not your fault. Let’s keep things friendly.

1    Lead an Aerial on the Social Floor

Leaders... we know you saw "Swing Kids", Hellzapopin’ or that video of someone doing this amazing "Flip-her-in-the-air-grab-her-waist-swing-her-around-big-finish-with-her-legs-spreadeagled."  Perhaps you practised it with your long-suffering girlfriend at home.  This does not mean that you can then try this on some unsuspecting follower who had the misfortune of dancing with you.  It's dangerous to your partner and to those around you. Please keep it off the social dance floor.