ABOUT THE DANCE FLOOR

Common Country-Western dance floors are divided into Lanes and Areas. With the traffic in the lanes moving counterclockwise, the faster (usually better) dancers stay to the outside. The center of the floor is for line dancing, swinging, free style, etc.

Line dancers, swingers, free stylers, etc. should stay out of the lanes. If they see a couple progressing towards them in the lanes they should make an attempt to get out of the way. Couple dancers should realize that line dancing is here to stay and sometimes the floor fills up (Tush Push, Electric Slide, etc.). When this happens it's best to wait for another song. Heck, if you can't beat-em, join-em!

Don't use the dance floor for a pathway to the other side of the bar. I'd be willing to bet there's another way around. A dance floor is for dancing on not meant to be used as a sidewalk.

RULES OF THE ROAD - etiquette that should be used while dancing on the floor.

Don't bump into other dancers. To this end, guys plan your moves so you don't run into anyone. And Follows, don't be afraid to warn the Lead about a dancer he can't see. If by accident you do bump into someone, just apologize to them and be more careful next time.

Don't drink or smoke on the floor. When someone spills a drink on the floor it makes a real slick spot until it dries, then it turns into a real sticky spot. Either way its dangerous. As far as smoking goes no one likes to get burned and it's real irritating when someone burns a hole in your brand new outfit!!!

Use the entire lane when doing a progressive dance. In other words, don't cut the corners or across the floor (unless it can't be helped).

Don't practice competition style dance routines at a honky-tonk. Competition style dance is fine, if thats what you want. But the routines belong on a competition ballroom dance floor not on a real Country-Western dance floor.

Just keep moving... Remember, no one's perfect. So if you or your partner make mistakes don't stop on the floor and argue about it, just laugh it off and keep going. Your dancing to have fun and nothing looks more childish then a couple fighting over a missed move.

Our dear friend, excellent dancer and salsa-holic, Adrienne, had her nose broken by a couple who invaded Adrienne's and her partner's (the most excellent Louis) space. It truly was an accident and it came about only because the other couple are beginners and/or didn't understand the etiquette of the dance floor and of space: "you have your space and we have our space". Adrienne had these things to say after the accident that required her to have her broken nose repaired by a plastic surgeon: 1) Beginners need to be aware of their space and of others' space. 2) All dancers must learn control, through tight, clean footwork and controlled turns and spins. 3) Practice, practice, practice 4) Don't try things in a crowded club that you have not mastered through practice first in an un-crowded place 5) Women should refuse to execute moves that they know the partner hasn't the skills to lead when it puts her (and others) at risk 6) Same for the guys, some of the women are crazy - don't let them be 7) The men are leading the women as though they are driving a car in traffic - so the men MUST be aware of the surroundings and know that when the partner finishes a move - will the space already be occupied by another moving couple? 8) Small controlled steps will prevent all of those painful instep injuries that result when beginning dancers take big steps - especially on the backstep - and step on other dancers.

Now, back to my thoughts on dance floor etiquette. What is dance floor etiquette? The art of dancing, whether good or bad, in your own space. The art of not being all over the dance floor, unaware of or totally oblivious to the other people dancing around you. The art of having consideration for other dancers and of not intruding into their space, just as you wouldn't want them to intrude into yours.

A problem today is that too many people want to show off, whether they have the ability or not, or if they do - whether or not they have space. They want to turn, dip, flip and spin and don't seem to care that there are others on the dance floor, too.

Every dancer must adopt the philosophy of dancing in the "slot" or straight line, remaining in their own space, completely aware of who is around them and of how much space exists between them and the other couples. If the dance floor is crowded, don't try to dip your partner or to do a fancy turn combination because it will put your partner in someone else's space and put your partner at risk. Learn to dance in a "contained" manner.

If the floor is really open and empty, only then can you get fancy. If the floor is crowded, contain yourself, stay in your space.

Guys, remember that you are the one who leads the lady into everything that she does. You must be in control at all times and know where you are leading her, without invading another couple's space.

Ladies, if you are dancing with someone who is twirling you like a top, who has no control and who has you out of control - stop dancing! Let your partner know that he needs to work on his control. You do not want to be at risk because he hasn't the control to lead you well. If he does not listen, if he shows no consideration, then politely excuse yourself off the dance floor. Do not embarrass yourself or the person you are dancing with. It is preferable to being hurt yourself and preferable to hurting someone else.

Guys, if you are dancing with someone who does not know how to turn, who does not have the footwork, or who is herself wild, let her know that it is unbecoming or that she should take lessons. If you are not a dance Instructor yourself, then recommend someone that can help. Advise her to always be more conscious of the dancers around her.

It is our mission to make Chicago and the Dance communities of the world safer by having ALL dancers be more aware and considerate of each other. We need to pass this message on to others. Please cut and paste it into emails of your dancer friends. Let's all be conscious leaders, followers and messengers of proper DANCE FLOOR ETIQUETTE.

Post your comments or dance floor horror story here!

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