Etiquette is the way of being ‘polite’ in society. This does not mean you have to speak funny, or dress in bow tie and tails all the time. What it does mean is that you can be in any part of society and always be ‘polite’ - or - to put in another way, you will not be labelled as ‘rude’.
A social evening in which their is a live band requires a certain amount of etiquette. Here is a brief primer.
- Whilst you normaly arrive with a partner, etiquette suggests that you would not be 'exclusive'.
- Gentlemen are the ones that normally ask for the dance.
- Ladies are not required to always dance when asked, but it is considered bad etiquette to refuse a dance with one person and then accept another person's request for a dance before the song has even finished. Wait at least until the song has finished before accepting the invitation to dance by another.
- Gentlemen always escort their dance partner back to their seats after the dance.
- Ladies always feel safe and secure – this is because their dancer partners behave like gentlemen.
- Don't try and have an intense conversation whilst dancing (as they seem to show happening in movies). The dance is an opportunity to be introduced to someone with whom you could have a conversation afterwards.
- Dances that last about three minutes or less, suggest that you might have at least three dances of this duration. If the band does a long number then obviously less.
- Gentlemen it is considered good etiquette to move around the room and ensure that all the ladies have an opportunity to dance. Don't be/stay exclusive to only the friends or people you know.
- Both parties, try to be aware that dancing means being in close proximity, which means that we try not to have bad breath, smell sweaty, or on the other extreme to be overdosed with cologne.
- Gentlemen, a nice touch to have on hand is a clean hankerchief to offer a 'glowing' lady. These are not common place so it may not be practical.
- It's common to have sweaty hands. Find a way to towel, or dry them. In days gone by both parties would often wear gloves – again not something that is readily available or even desirable in the tropics, but don't dismiss it either.
When it call comes down to it, social dancing is about having fun in a safe and relaxed environment. These ‘rules’ are really only directions. Using our common sense and treating others in the social dance, in a way that we would like to be treated ourselves, is often the winning formula.
Dance the night away!