Dance floor etiquette

Remember:

If everybody abides by the 'rules of the dancefloor' then everybody will be safe ....... HAPPY DANCING 🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶

Please always:

* where possible go to the front when starting off a dance. Others can then line up behind you and join in.
* dance safely and do not put others in danger. Kicks should never be higher than your knee. And your arms should stay inside your dancing area.
* leave the outside edge of the floor clear for partner and couple dancers.
* give way to the dancers around the outside of the floor.
* dance with the flow when partner dancing. Line Of Dance (LOD) is anti-clockwise.
* be gracious and apologise when caught in a 'bump' even if it was not your fault.
* encourage and support beginners. It only takes a few kind words to make a new friend.
* listen to the DJ. It is customary for a DJ to designate the dance and to 'count in'.
* show appreciation. Applaud live acts, instructors and DJ's - they work hard for you.
* replace any drinks you accidently knock over and be sure to say sorry.
* be aware of the other dancers on the floor. They can sometimes take offence to 'peacocks' showing off and hogging the floor.

The "nevers":

* do not carry food, drinks, glasses, cans or lighted cigarettes (not really applicable now) onto the dance floor.
* do not walk through a line of dancers to cross the floor, always walk around or wait.
* do not stand on the floor to talk if the music is playing go off the floor to chat.
* do not start a different dance unless there is plenty of room and you sense it is acceptable. Do not start another dance in the middle of the floor, go to the back.
* do not hog floor space to 'perform' or show off. If the floor is full take small steps and watch for collisions.
* do not stop in the middle of a dance to teach as you'll be in the way and it's bad manners. Go off the floor to teach.
* do not let your feet, knees, arms or elbows become dangerous weapons on the dancefloor.
* try not to show off in a hazardous way: crazed variations, turbo spins, high kicks and jumps just put people off, put people off 'you', and can be dangerous.
* do not cut corners when partner dancing around the outside unless there is an obstacle in your way.