To experienced
dancers, you probably
already know the following guidelines. They are, however, worth reviewing since
it’s up to you to set a good example for dancers with less experience. To new dancers, it’s important to get these
guidelines ingrained in your systems (fast!) to help avoid embarrassing,
awkward, or unsafe situations.
Eye
contact: Use
it!
·
Eye
contact is a good way to ask for dances. In milongas in
·
Skilled
leaders communicate with each other through eye contact to avoid
collisions on the dance floor.
Floor
craft: Practice
it!
·
You
are dancing with everyone on the floor, not only your partner. Each person
should be consciously aware of who is around them, and is responsible for
keeping the floor safe.
·
Dancers already on the dance floor have the
right-of-way. When entering the floor, do so cautiously. Leads can ask (with
eye contact) to enter the flow in front of another couple.
·
The dance floor is meant to have lanes. Depending on
floor size, there may be an outer, middle, inner, and center. If you must
merge, do so consciously and courteously.
·
Limit passing. Cut-ins and zig-zags across lanes are not safe. Try turns and rhythmic
play first.
·
Don't
hold up traffic. The floor is constantly moving forward. Don’t be a rock in the
stream.
·
Be very
careful when back-stepping. It is against the line of dance, so be aware of
how much space you have around you to step. Another option is to rotate and
move your back-step with the flow, counter-clockwise, making sure you know the
space is empty behind you. You can also step at a diagonal (lead facing
outside).
·
For
larger movements, long pauses, and lots of in-place figures, use the center.
·
Choose
moves appropriate to conditions. Leaders: High, wide boleos and ganchos
can cause serious injury on a crowded floor. Follows: Keep your feet low if
there are dancers near you. Practice good techniques by stepping back with your
heel down.
·
When
two couples bump into each other on the floor, it is polite to acknowledge it
by apologizing (either verbally or with a smile), regardless of who is at fault. Traditionally, in
Social dynamics: Respect it!
·
Respect your partner—and everyone else on the
floor—at all times.
·
Personal hygiene is important. Tango is a very
intimate dance. Powerful scents (both good and bad) can be overwhelming.
·
Saying
“Thank you,” is a coded word for “I want to stop dancing.” Use other phrases of
gratitude when you want to continue dancing with that partner.
·
Although
the cortina is a customary partner-changing opportunity, it is
acceptable 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. Remember, however, that this is an exception to the rule. On
the other hand, if you are enjoying the partnership, it is fine to ask for a
second tanda with the same partner.
In
·
It is common—though not required—to dance in a close
embrace in tango. Dancing close is not an invitation for inappropriate
behavior: be sensitive to your partner’s comfort-level with regard to personal
space.
·
If you must decline a dance offer, do so sincerely.
It’s rude to decline one offer and then accept another within the same tanda.
·
It is considered rude to drown out the music with
loud conversation, on or around the dance floor. If you need to discuss
something while dancing, do so quietly. This is particularly important
relative to live music.
·
No teaching on the dance floor. Feed-back is
appropriate on the practica floor and in lessons, as long as it is
requested and given respectfully.
·
It is customary for a lead to escort his follow back
to her seat when they have finished dancing.