DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE

Gaston de Rosayro

You are sure to be entering a world of refinement, tradition, relaxation and a heck of a lot of fun when you take your first step into ballroom dancing. Dance etiquette begins before one even enters the dance hall. It starts with proper personal hygiene, good grooming, attention to proper attire and maintenance of a clean fresh breath. Ballroom dancers practice good etiquette by being friendly, courteous and sociable on and off the dance floor, to both dancers and non-dancers alike.

The proper attire

Everyone should dress suitably for dancing. Once into the swing of things most dance enthusiasts will naturally be able to figure out the proper attire suitable for the occasion. In any event, dance invitations or tickets always spell out the dress code. These include informal dress which is smart casual attire. Semi-formal is usually the dress form for more posh occasions where men wear coats and neckties and dress of any length for women is acceptable.

A truly ‘pukkah’ style colonial ‘Ball’ calls for Black-tie formal attire where men turn up in tuxedo or white dinner jacket and a long dress preferred for women. And never forget that personal oral and bodily hygiene is of overriding importance. Never forget that dancing is an exercise in which you get closer to a partner of the opposite sex than in any other social engagement.

Only a fool will try to persist cajoling a partner who has been holding his or her breath and bolts from your arms to return to the dance floor. What I am saying is that once the dance is over and your partner repeatedly refuses to dance with you again, it is time to take the hint.

Even in air-conditioned settings dancers tend to perspire a great deal. Stinkpots with body odour are totally unacceptable dancing partners. So always bathe before a dance with a liberal lathering of soap. A self-preservative such as a deodorant would be wise to use for good measure. Breath mints too come in pretty handy at times because you will be talking to your partner at point blank whiffing range.

In tropical Sri Lanka we are taught from an early age that, left to our own devices, we smell bad. And, well, we sort of do unless we bathe as frequently as is even considered unnecessary by some just to be sure we come out smelling like roses. Fragrances can add to the pleasure and make you reek of the sweet smell of success.

But as mentioned earlier use soap and water substantially to bathe in rather than bathe in perfumes or after shaves. Heavy perfumes and highly volatile hair styling products should be used sparingly. And, no, you don’t have to marinate in it. Yes, the more subtle the cologne the more stylish the female, one could be sure. There used to be a time when one could take genuine macho pleasure in the smell of a woman, fairly safe in the knowledge that the wearer of any scent, other than a male aftershave, was female.

Accepting invitations

Now coming to the dance itself, grandma would have been mortified at certain changes. Traditionally, it has always been the rule for the man to ask the woman to dance. But the times sure are a-changing. However, these days, there is nothing to stop the woman from asking the man! Either the man or woman may graciously ask for a dance. If the person being asked agrees, it is appropriate then to take the person’s hand whilst walking onto the floor. On finishing the dance, each should thank the other. It is fitting for the man to escort the woman off the floor and to take her back to her seat.

Try one’s best not to turn down anyone who has asked for a dance. Although it is perfectly acceptable to state that one is “sitting this one out” or that one is not familiar with a particular dance, it is extremely rude to turn down one person and then accept another invitation during the same dance number.

As in all forms of social behaviour dancing has its rules . You are obliged to follow the floor’s ‘Highway of Dancing’ rules. The dance floor is likened to a road. And in similarity to any road, the floor has ‘rules’ to help promote safe conduct, prevent collisions and, with any luck, to enhance the experience!

The dance floor has an imaginary progression line known as the Line-of-Dance. This line courses around the outside of the dance floor in an anti-clockwise direction. In classical and modern ballroom dancing, in general, movement around the dance floor complies with the line of dance perspective.

Ballroom dance is a somewhat artificial category including many styles of traditional partner dances from several parts of the world and different eras. The thing in common is the expectation that the dance is polite and the dancer’s dance-floor relationship somewhat formal.

Swing dancers

Social dances are classified as either progressive or spot dances. In progressive dances such as the quickstep, the foxtrot or the waltz among others the rule is to move around the floor only in a counter-clockwise direction. This also includes the patterns that take the man backwards.

Dance Floor Courtesy is a beneficial tool for dancing on any ballroom floor. However, off the floor courtesy is also a welcome tool.

In spot dances, such as the swing, cha-cha, or rumba, the couple should try to keep as much as possible in and around the small area where they began dancing. Other dancers’ space should be respected. When the dance music is such that it permits more than one type of dance, such as a foxtrot or swing, the swing dancers should go towards the centre of the dance floor making it possible for the foxtrot dancers to move freely around the outside of the dance floor.

Dance patterns in which the forward movement is temporarily suspended should be executed in the centre or fringes of the dance floor, unless one is sure the dance flow will not be impeded. This courtesy also applies to newer dancers, moving towards the centre allows the experienced dancers to really move around the outside of the floor.

Dancing is a social behaviour. On entering a ballroom or dance hall, take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the standard of dancing being performed by the majority of other dancers and pitch your level no higher than this. A good dancer does not need to show off with fancy steps and routines. A good dancer can accomplish the most simple of figures and routines but execute them so well because he or she pays proper attention to the footwork, rhythm, poise and character of the dance - in a quiet and unassuming way.

Avoid exhibitionist dancing at all costs!

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