The following passage can be found at Elements of Dance Etiquette ,

"The main role of etiquette is to make interactions in a dance setting enjoyable for everyone. In dancing, much like everyday life, etiquette strives to systematize the behavior so that one does not inadvertently offend (or in the case of dancing, even physically hurt) other individuals. The underlying foundation of the rules of social dancing is consideration for the safety and convenience of one's fellow dancers."

Please be aware that as a Ballroom Dancer (both in a studio and in the community), you will be responsible for traditional Ballroom Etiquette outlined here.

Ballroom dancing is a close contact activity.  We understand that sometime the line between inappropriate and appropriate can change as partners change, so please feel free to communicate with your partner if you are uncomfortable. If you have any questions or concerns please address them with an instructor (or someone else you trust) immediately so that the issue can be resolved without disrupting our friendly dancing community.

1. Personal oral and bodily hygiene is of utmost importance. If you notice that your partner is hesitant to get into the proper ballroom hold, is holding their breath, bolts from the dance floor once the dance is over and repeatedly refuses to dance with you again, take the hint.

2. Smile, be warm and personable, be nice, and have fun!

3. Make sure you keep your attention on your partner while you dance, this means usually on his/her face not wandering up and down his/her body, and watch the dance floor ahead and around you to avoid possible collisions with other people around you.

4. It is the lady's prerogative to how close she wants to be held. The gentleman can readjust if he feels she's too close but not if he feels she's not close enough.  Do not take offence if your partner does not want to dance really closely with you. We all have our levels of comfort.

5. Avoid declining a dance under almost all circumstances. For example, there is no correct way of refusing a dance on the basis of preferring to dance with someone else. According to tradition, the only graceful way of declining a dance is either

   • you do not know the dance,
   • you need to take a rest, or
   • you have promised the dance to someone else.

   Note that is it is improper to book many dances ahead of time and once you decline dancing with one person, it is inconsiderate and outright rude to dance the song with someone else.

6. Stationary dancers (e.g. swing dancers) stay in the middle, traveling dancers move on the boundary along the line of dance. The line of dance goes in the counterclockwise direction.

7. Do not monopolize one partner for the whole night, unless you are there with your regular dance partner. Ask everyone to dance.

8. Do escort your partner off the dance floor.  Never leave him/her in the middle of the dance floor.

9. It often happens that the two partners dancing socially are not at the same level. It is important that the more experienced partner dances at the level of the less experienced partner.