Tips to remember:
- The dancers move counter clockwise (from above) around the floor. Spot dances like East/West Coast Swing, Line Dances or Cha Cha are done in the centre of the floor to allow travelling dancers to move around the outside.
- If you are moving more slowly than other dancers keep to the center of the floor. To cross the room either dance across the floor or walk around the perimeter.
- Wait for an opening in the line of dance before stepping onto the dance floor. Do not cut off other couples that are travelling around the edge. Pass couples by stepping to the inside path. Do not cut off another couple when you step in, or when you step back, to the outside path.
- When things go wrong on the dance floor always apologize. Generally it does not matter who is at fault.
- If you are engaged in conversation move off the dance floor.
- Carry food and beverages around the perimeter. Wipe up your own spills.
- Let your dance partner know of any injuries or limitations that might affect your dance together. Accommodations can be made so you can both enjoy a great dance.
- While dancing, do not give dance tips unless asked. If asked, just give tips about what you were asked about. When engaged in giving a lengthy tip, or if you stop dancing to discuss it, move off the dance floor. And, above all, don't give that person tips again until they ask you again.
- When inviting a person to dance, specify the dance you intend to do: “Would you like to 2-step?” This will avoid embarrassment for both of you, and avoid a discussion on the dance floor of what dances you both know.
- You can politely turn down a request to dance by saying something like "No, thank you. I'm sitting this one out." Or "I'd be happy to dance with you later. I just need to rest now." If you turn down a request to dance, to be polite, it is important that you not dance at all during the dance in question. An exception to this would occur when you have promised a particular dance, a Waltz - for example, to someone else. Then you can politely explain your situation to the requester at hand. It is perfectly ok for anyone to ask another person to dance.
- Don't just dance with your favorite dancers. It's called "social" dancing for a reason. When you dance with a different partner never walk away from them after the dance has ended. Always walk them back to their seat.
- It is always up to the follow, not the lead, to set the distance between the partners. However, if the lead feels like he is being held too closely for comfort or safety, they might say something like "If you move away a little bit, I'll be able to lead you more safely." If either partner is not being allowed to set what they feel is a comfortable and safe distance, they should feel free to say that they need to sit down to rest, or something else equally polite.