Square Dancing Ettiquette
Following good etiquette on the dance floor
ensures a fun and safe time for all.
1) Respect your fellow dancers.
Arrive to dances and classes on time so others are not waiting too long for squares to form. Always be courteous and respectful toward fellow dancers while dancing and socializing.
2) Be Gentle with other dancers.
Hand holds should be palm to palm, gentle, and loose so that adjacent dancers can move away to the next person. Don’t grab with your thumbs. In waves, keep hands up at shoulder level and gently touch the fingers of adjacent dancers. Don’t yank when doing arm turns. Do not twirl the ladies unless their arms are raised in a welcoming position.
3) Mistakes are inevitable.
If mistakes are made or a square breaks down, don’t get angry with yourself or yell at your fellow dancers. Just try to gently guide your neighbor back into place if possible but don’t push, pull, or shove. If the entire square breaks down simply keep your current partner and form lines if it is a patter call or go to your original home spot if it is a singing call.
4) Cleanliness is key.
Make sure you and your clothes are clean and odor free before attending a dance or class. Apply deodorant, if needed, and consider using a breath freshener. If you sweat, even a little, bring a mall towel that you can loop through your belt to wipe the sweat off.
5) Follow the dress code.
Men are encouraged to wear long sleeves to cover sweaty arms and should adhere to the Cleanliness guidelines if they wear short sleeves during hot weather. Women should refrain from wearing excessive amounts of jewelry, having long or pointed fingernails that can injure other dancers or using excessive perfume which may aggravate other dancer’s allergies.
Do not wear open toes shoes, sandals, or any type of footwear that may cause tripping.
Dancers should remember to wear name tags or their club badges.
6) Know your capabilities and stick to them.
If a dance tip is above your level due to your lack of ability or training, please sit it out. Higher level dancers should relinquish their place in a Mainstream square and sit out to provide space, if needed, for less experienced dancers (or students).
7) Fill in the square nearest to you and stay there.
Fill in the square nearest to you as soon as the music starts and introduce yourself to others if you don’t know them. Do not pass a square in need of dancers to get to another square. Do not leave the square you have joined just because someone you would prefer not to dance with joins the square unless asked to by the class coordinator or caller.
8) Do not abandon your square early.
Never leave your square during a Tip just because you (or other dancers) are causing square breakdowns unless you have a medical need. One bad tip shouldn’t ruin the entire evening.
9) Make room for our guests at our club dances.
At our club dances be willing to relinquish your spot in a square to accommodate our guests from other clubs who are unable to find an open square.
10) Listen to the caller.
Do not talk once a tip is underway because your talking may prevent someone else from hearing a call. Listen (and don’t talk) when the caller gives verbal instructions in class.
11) Remember to applaud the caller and thank fellow dancers.
Callers deserve a round of applause at the end of each tip and a personal thanking at the end of the dance. Also remember to thank your fellow dancers at the end of each tip.