|
What is Dance Floor Etiquette? |
|
|
|
-
Move with the counter-clockwise direction, flow and spacing of the line of dance. On a crowded floor, it is polite not to pass other couples or allow a big gap to open up in front of you.
-
It is customary not to teach on the dance floor during a milonga (a dance). Leave the floor and practice elsewhere. Of course, practicas are the ideal place to work on technique.
-
Moving onto the dance floor during a song is like merging onto the freeway during rush hour: wait for an open space, rather than forcing your way into the line of dancers.
-
More information about Tango Etiquette can be found here:
|
|
|
How do I ask for a dance? |
|
|
|
There is a charming, face-saving convention called "Cabeceo" (Ka-Bay-Say-Oh, originating in Argentina but used in many dance communities), which involves making eye contact. The asker raises the eyebrows and/or makes a subtle head nod toward the dance floor. The responder answers "yes" by smiling and nodding back, or "no" by refusing further eye contact. At most Milongas worldwide, especially in Buenos Aires, this is the ONLY way to ask for a dance, unless you are sitting at the same table. We discourage walking up to someone, confronting them, reaching towards or grabbing someone, and asking "Would you like to dance?". It's OK for either gender to ask someone of either gender for a dance. Wait for the cortina, or interlude, to Cabeceo your potential dance partner.
|
|
|
How do I say "No" to a dance? |
|
|
|
If you avoid eye contact, the potential asker may realize that you do not want to dance. Say "No, thank you", with or without a big smile. You may offer a courteous excuse to soften the refusal. For example: "I am resting / would rather not dance to this music / want to finish this conversation." If you are hoping to dance with this partner some other time, be sure to say so. You have the right to refuse to dance, with anyone, at any time (even if you are already dancing together).
|
|
|
Who determines the embrace? |
|
|
|
Either partner may state their style preferences - open or close. You may do this verbally or by taking the frame you prefer. Ultimately, the follower makes the decision on an open or close embrace. It is rude to apply physical or verbal pressure to make someone dance in close embrace. For example, the lead should never pull the follower into a close embrace. If the follower wants to dance in the close embrace, the follower will step up to the lead and assume the proper frame.
|
|
|
How do I leave my current partner? |
|
|
|
To say "thank you" to your dance partner is a coded way of saying, "I want to stop dancing". Use other phrases of gratitude if you want to keep dancing. The cortina (the non-dance musical interlude between sets of 3 or 4 songs) is a customary partner-changing opportunity. However, it's OK to break after 2 or 3 songs. It is appropriate to leave the floor after one song, or even in the middle of a song, if you are sufficiently uncomfortable with your partner's dancing or other behavior. For the courtesy of all, please leave the dance floor during the cortina to permit others to make eye-contact for the next set of music.
|
|
Your safety and enjoyment are important to our tango community. Go to the host, teacher, and/or DJ with any social, etiquette or safety concerns, including sexually inappropriate behavior. You can ask a friend or the host for an escort to your car. Be aware of your possessions. Don't bring valuables.
|
|
|
How do I choose a private instructor? |
|
|
|
|
|
