Swing Dance Etiquette

ON ASKING SOMEONE TO DANCE

Ask someone to dance with your words. No silent hand gestures, grabbing or dragging. "Would you like to dance?" will always do the trick. 

Anyone can ask anyone to dance. If you find you're not being asked often enough, take initiative and do the asking. 

When you attend our weekly dance Thursday Night Stomp, we encourage each dancer to challenge themselves to ask A) one person to dance who is of a different skill level than themselves B) one person of a different age bracket and C) one person who you've never danced with before. 

While we encourage you all to dance with a variety of people you can say no to a dance at any time. Three examples:
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A) You might say no to a dance because you are tired, the song is too fast or you're talking with a friend. In that case you could say, "please find me again later" or "I will find you later".  

B) If you don't want to dance with someone because they make you uncomfortable, feel free to simply say no. No explanation needed. 

​C) If you don't want to dance with someone because they make you uncomfortable and you'd like to share why they make you feel uncomfortable, good for you. Direct communication can solve a lot of problems. 

ON LEARNING TOGETHER 

Please don't offer unsolicited feedback in classes or at dances. If someone asks for feedback, great. But generally we find that folks giving unsolicited feedback aren't giving the most sound advice and could probably look inward for changes in their own dancing first.

​ON BEING HUMAN

It's totally normal to get super sweaty when we dance! But if you tend to soak through your clothes it's best to bring an extra shirt or two to change into throughout the night. 

Give yourself the ol' smell test before heading out to a dance. If you think you smell, someone else probably will too. "But I'm an earthy Mainer who doesn't use unnatural products!" you might protest. I hear ya and in that case please give this simple, homemade natural deodorant recipe a try. It's worked wonders for many.

ON SAFETY

Choose moves wisely on crowded dance floors. It's the lead's primary responsibility to be sure their partner doesn't end up colliding with a person or object. It's the follow's responsibility to move their bodies through space in a controlled manner. If you do collide with someone, please offer up a quick apology, make sure everyone's okay and move onward. 

If you're practicing air steps (aerials), save those for jams or performances. They don't belong on the social dance floor.

ON LIVE MUSIC

Clap for the band! They really love it. And we really love them. 

HAVE FUN!