Etiquette At Chapter Dances
Most people think that Chapter Dances are just a place to go and dance. In the most basic sense, they are. However, Ballroom Dancing is a sport with its own rules, conventions, and common practices just like any other sport. There are some simple rules of etiquette, some of which are not so obvious, or may not be what you expect:.
1. Dress appropriately for Ballroom Dancing. Jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, shorts, etc. are not appropriate. Perfume and cologne are also not appropriate. Your perfume or cologne comes off on every person you dance with. By the end of the evening everyone is wearing the combination of everyone else's perfume and cologne -- and it smells awful.
2. Be considerate to other couples on the floor. Exercise good floorcraft. Do not cut off other couples. Lifts, choreographed routines, drops, etc. are not appropriate on the social dance floor.
3. Dance the appropriate dance for the music being played. You should not be practicing steps from a different dance while other dancers are trying to dance around you.
4. Always follow line of dance when dancing traveling dances.
5. Avoid dancing patterns that your partner cannot do. Dance to the level of your partner and never blame your partner for missteps.
6. It is inappropriate and rude to correct or try to teach someone while dancing at a social event, even if they ask you to. So don’t do it. Teaching someone to dance is a specialized art best left to professional dance teachers. You can actually hurt someone's dancing by trying to teach them while social dancing. So, please don't do it and don't ask someone else to do it.