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Want to maximize your time on the dance floor? Here are
some tips to get you through the night: 1) Ask people's
name.
It's much easier to ask someone to dance if you actually
know their name (duh!!).
2) Deodorant & Mouthwash.
You'd be surprised to know that the #1 reason why people
don't want to dance with other people is because of the way they
smell. If someone offers you a mint or a piece of gum,
take it, or at least assume that they're trying to tell you
something. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Allergic to perfumes and colognes?, partner dancing is going to
be tough...consult your physician.
3) Correcting your partner.
I hear about this allllll the time. It's simple, don't
correct your partner. If your partner wants your advice,
they'll ask you for it. Don't assume that they want to
learn from you...especially during the middle of a dance.
If you want to let someone know the secret of that special move
you know, ASK them if they'd like you to show it to them
AFTER the dance. 4) How long do I have to dance with
him/her?
Realistically, you only have to bare with each other for about 4
minutes (avg. length of a song). If you mutually enjoyed
the dance, you can do another but it's safe to walk away after
one ride. If you're new or shy, you can always ask someone
to dance the final 2/3 of a song by saying "would you like to
finish this song?". Since you're only dancing for one
song....trying smiling...it makes it more enjoyable for both
people. Both people should say thank you at the end of the
ride....whether you liked it or not. 5 ) Declining a Dance.
This is tough!! Eye contact is 90% of the game. Avoiding
eye contact is a polite way of avoiding being asked.
Polite excuses (bathroom, tired, thirsty etc) usually works too.
But since it's a social environment, try to ask the person who
you formerly declined; it's good for Karma. If you find yourself
being declined a lot, try engaging in small conversation before
asking someone to dance. See advice #1-3 above. If
somebody asks you to dance and you decline the dance, and
somebody else asks you to do the same dance, that person should
be turned down as well, unless you had that dance "reserved" in
addition. This can also come in handy if you want to decline
somebody else. You can always say "I'm sorry, I just turned
somebody else down". 6)
How to ask for a dance:
You've learned all the steps but you can't get on the floor
without asking someone to dance. Summon up up your courage
and learn these simple words, "Would you like to dance? or May I have this dance?
or May I have the pleasure?" Men - Step up to the plate
and ask others to dance...it's very flattering. Women -
Don't think that it's the man's job to be the only one to
ask...if you want to dance, learn how to ask too. It's
goes both ways! (refer back to tip #1 and #2 as easy ways
to feel more comfortable approaching other people). 7) Collisions:
If someone bumps into you, a wink or acknowledgement or a
simple "Sorry" is all that is needed. It
does not matter who is in the wrong. 8) Dance Class Level:
A beginner should obviously take a beginner lesson. However many
times an intermediate/advanced dancer of another dance may want
to jump into the intermediate/advanced class of another dance.
This is a mistake. All dances are different, with
different names of steps and different lead-follow concepts.
Hustle is different from West Coast Swing, which is different
from Lindy Hop, which is different from Ballet. If you are
new to a dance (even if you are a champion dancer in a another
form), please start from the beginning. Chances are, if
you start from the beginning you will progress more quickly.
It is also polite to take the beginner class if you're taking a
class with an instructor with whom you are unfamiliar. If
you are truly an intermediate dancer, the beginner class gives
you an opportunity to work on some basics which might be
particular to the instructor. It also gives you the
opportunity to work on your form. If you're truly an
intermediate dancer, the instructor will notice your fluidity of
movement and understanding of the dance.
How do you know if you're ready to move on to the next level?
Generally, you should have an understanding of the names of the
movements, are able to lead/follow the basic elements and you
know how many counts for the respective steps....then you can
begin to move on...provided that you aren't holding up the
majority of the class. If you happen to be asked not to
participate or to "just watch"...don't feel bad. It's not
personal (you're not bad and it isn't the teacher trying to make
you feel inferior). An instructor is responsible for the
safety and effective learning of the entire class.
Sometimes it's best to have someone watch instead of participate
because it might risk other's learning experience. A
student shows disrespect to other dancers, the teacher and
him/herself when trying to jump into a level that is beyond
their current ability. Don't lose heart, in due time
(everyone is different), most students progress naturally into
the intermediate and advanced classes. 9) Late to Class:
If you're late to class...think of it as being late to a
business meeting. First, ask permission of the instructor
if you can join in late. Just because you flew in from
Rome, got stuck in traffic and had to look for parking does not
entitle you to be admitted to class. An instructor needs
to guide a class with uniformity and continuity. Being
late interrupts the flow of class especially since the latecomer
has already missed critical material previously taught prior to
his/her arrival. If you are allowed to jump into class, be
extra attentive...you have just become the weakest link
and you're expected to catch up fast. (As with tip #8) If you
happen to be asked not to participate or to "just watch"...don't
feel bad. It's not personal (you're not bad and it isn't
the teacher trying to make you feel inferior). An
instructor is responsible for the safety and effective learning
of the entire class. Sometimes it's best to have someone
watch instead of participate because it might risk other's
learning experience. A student shows disrespect to other
dancers, the teacher and him/herself when arriving late to class
and taking it upon him/herself to just trying to jump in.
Remember, always check with the instructor. 10) Dress
Attire:
I know this might come as a surprise: guys should generally
not wear shorts to for social dancing (either the class or
the party). Leave the tank top at home or at least wear it
as an undergarment, but don't think that your partner
wants to lather up in your sweat (see #13). Women - if you're going to wear a dress (long
or short), please wear dance-shorts underneath. You'd be
amazed how much you show when you are given a double turn...and
even though the guys might appreciate your gratuitous exposure,
other people might remember you for something which you might
want to forget. 11) Footwear:
Bring different types of shoes for your day/night of dancing.
Since floors can have a wide range of speeds, bring different
footwear to accommodate this issue. Guys - Please DO NOT
wear tevas, flip-flops (unless you've won the US Open), or
Birkenstocks...it simply looks horrible and it's insulting to
your female partner who might have spent hours making her feet
look appropriate for open toed high heels. 12 ) Warming Up:
After signing in, changing your shoes and ordering your favorite
drink, please warm up. Even if you are taking a beginner
class, your body will be challenged in movement. There are
good chances that your day at work, at home, or in the car has
not prepared your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back for
movement. Most importantly, injuries suck! Spraining
a body-part due to lack of a simple warm up can prevent you from
having fun for a couple of weeks. If you need some warm up
ideas, please ask your instructor. 13) Sweating:
It's true...we all sweat. Some sweat more than others.
Nothing is a bigger turn off than dancing with someone who is
wet and slippery. I've seen people turn down their best
friends because they didn't want to go for a "swim". There
are 2 major suggestions that usually make all these types of
problems subside: #1 - Bring a small towel to the dances.
You can either use the towel to dry off or to wash up in the
bathroom (splash cool water on your face and wrists to fool your
body that's it's cooler than it really is). #2 - Bring a
change of shirt. I know a lot of dancers who carry 2 or 3
shirts with them so that they can always feel dry and look cool.
And here's my own wacky tip: try an undershirt.
Although it might seem that the extra layer would make you
warmer, the undershirt tends to absorb moisture before the outer
layer. Of course, you'll have to refer to Tip #2 if you
soak through your outer layer.
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