DANCE FLOOR ETIQUETTE
If you would like to obtain a copy of "Dance Floor Etiquette" just click Here.
DANCE FLOOR ETIQUETTE COMMENTS
(these comments are from fellow instructors and dancers alike)
It is becoming increasingly evident that "Dance Floor Etiquette" is being overlooked by dancers.
And it is NOT necessarily by newer dancers, but the more experienced among us.
... More and more we are seeing people on the floor ..... having a chat.
They appear oblivious to the fact that others are dancing near them while they discuss whatever it is that is important at that time.
PLEASE MOVE OFF THE FLOOR
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"I also have the same problem with etiquette... what ever happened to good old fashioned consideration and politeness???"
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"I read your comment on dance floor etiquette, and I was so please to see someone making a comment, there are some people who don't think about their fellow dancers when they are on the dance floor. I think dance floor etiquette has gone out the window and we need to bring it back. One of the most annoying things is people standing on the floor talking and the other is people squeezing into a spot that is not there so they can dance with their friends."
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"Regarding the dance floor etiquette we don't have to much of a problem as we are a small country club and each dancer is well known by others. I find that people are only to happy to help newcomers, sometimes a little to much which can be a little confusing.Yes I have come across people talking on the dance floor appear to be in a world of their own.
Regarding doing variations ,we ask that the variations are done when the beginners are facing the front only.Definitely not on the first teach.
I don't know about up where you are but we need to encourage people to linedance as our numbers are slowly getting smaller.
We have been dancing for 13 years and still enjoy it as much as our first lesson. We keep telling people what fun it is."
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"I have visited your site, Power to you guys.... Brilliant. Dance etiquette has become a problem through the years. I have found the same situation happening in my own classes and have addressed it, seams to be working better now, I find the Intermediate dancer are very selfish, they are the ones causing problems, they have been dancing for years now and think they know it all, they have forgotten when they were learners like most of my people now, so I reminded them of this fact, and pleased to say my group are pretty good now. When attending another social is when etiquette sticks out like a sore toe, it would be lovely if this could be introduced back onto our dance floors whilst teaching dances.
My two cents for what It's worth."
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"To your line dance etiquette yes I have experienced a couple of items noted, walking through the dance floor and chatting while a dance is in progress. That said they have both been isolated incidences and not a "problem" as yet. I would like to know how other instructors handle these situations so any feed back would be good. It's an iffy world we live in, limited numbers turning up for classes, I know for one i don't really want to put anyone offside by challenging people that do actually turn up for class. Not sure of your numbers but I have around 12 on a good day and 6 on a bad and I really don't want to upset people by voicing line dance etiquette.let me know."
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"I also wrote an article a couple of months ago about Dance Floor Etiquette. I have it on hand and always give a copy to new dancers now."
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"as instructors, we attend class each & every week,
imagine if we decided we were not going to class because -- it's to hot, to cold,
raining, I'm tired, I have a headache etc...sometimes a little consideration from
class members would be appreciated... if they will not be attending a class, let the instructor
know, especially if you only have small classes... but as instructors we have all learnt
some of our dancers are a fickle bunch, some are quick to complain & make negative comments
in regards ---to the choice of dance & or music,--- having to walk through a dance again (never mind
that some take a little longer to learn a dance than they may do )etc etc....
Instructors have to be strong.... take all comments in their stride...
be upbeat at every class, try their best to keep every happy & smiling, encourage all dancersof all levels ...WHY ? because we all love to linedance."
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"I used to have a similar problem in my classes with Dance Floor Etiquette, & still do to a certain extent. When my beginner classes start at the beginning of the year, that is the first thing that I drum into their heads & I keep drumming it in until they get sick of it.
I hate people that stand on the floor & talk & this used to happen to me until I started stopping the music & singling them out in front of everyone else, this was becoming very embarrassing to those that did it. other class members would give them heaps. Now, I don't have that problem anymore.
My classes know that these 'rules', so to speak, are put in place for a perfectly good reason."
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"hi to you both, you must have been looking in the window of some of my classes when you wrote this & it would be nice if they kept the chatter down to a dull roar, hey. i have got one Bill Larson put out awhile ago that i bring out now & then, now i will go armed with 2. thanks."
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"Checked in on your site and noticed your "dance floor etiquette", which I think is fantastic that you have brought that up. I was wondering if you could also add something else in - no variations while teaching a dance. I find it very frustrating when we are learning a dance and the very first time you put the music on some dancers feel that it is fine for them to variate. It makes it very hard for learners to concentrate when some dancers feel it fine to spin and spin. I myself love to spin but will not do so while the instructor is teaching a dance. I don't usually like to "whinge" but thought that while you were laying down some ground rules, this may be something to think about."
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Great Info on etiquette in class, I think all instructors come across the same challenges in class, especially to do with lack of patience on the floor, but you usually find it's the more experience dancers, and I can understand that they want to go faster but you have to do what is right for the whole class and usually they can see people having trouble on the floor,and I try to bring up in conversation just how many we have lost from line dancing because people feel that they fall behind, and we have to go over the dances well so people in class can pick them up and that way we can continue to keep line dancing going , I thank the people for staying on the floor and helping others,because it helps the people on the floor trying to learn the dance. It is so hard to keep everyone happy and learnt over the years that you just can't, so I try and keep the majority happy,and hope that works...
But I'm still learning..as we all are..
People also need to remember it is about the social side as well not just dances, and what line dancing brings to so many people, people make great friends from line dancing and you don't know what problems people have in there life ,it's stress releiver because It takes your mind off other things or your singing along to the great songs that we dance to , gets people away from the TV and exercising.
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We find the same thing - the odd few who want to chat on the floor, even whilst you are trying to commence teaching. I have come to the conclusion that it is their money they are wasting if they don't get a proper teach for not listening; not nice but that's life. People are into it for all different reasons and one of our classes is "very social" so we just a deep breath and try and be patient - think they get the hint eventually.
Our biggest issue is the way people leave the floor. We were always taught to go from your line to the nearest side of the floor and not to walk through people. Many times we have raised this matter but it falls on deaf ears. And you know those people would be the first to complain if anything happened to them. We keep plodding on though - some people take it personally - what do you have to do to get through? I have even provided sheets on etiquette etc. in a beginners guide I put together, but I am sure they don't get read.
Oh if only we could change the world hey??
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Read your "epistle" with interest.
First let me address the points I agree with.
If you want to chat or don't want to do a dance get off the floor - it is hard enough for beginners and others to dance without having to navigate an obstacle course.
Spare a thought for others learning a dance and do it without variations in class - keep your variations for socials but I must say I have seen instructors doing variations in class once a dance has been done for a week or two.
Now the one I have some issues with. People go to classes and pay the fees and must have the right to dance or not dance - walk through or not as they see fit. Could it be that the dancers who have been "boundary riders" in the past are getting older and have health problems that come with old age. I know I would love to be on the floor all the time but at my age and with my lung capacity down to what it is I find I have to pace myself and so sit down during "walk throughs" of dances I already know and sometimes have to leave the floor during a dance - not because I want to but because I can't go on.
So the next time you see someone sitting out and "looking bored" don't be too quick to condemn them.
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I agree whole heartedly, where has it gone. No one seems to care about beginners.Our group regularly complain loudly if they learn more than two new dances per month.
The poor beginners not only learn new dance sequencesd, they also have to learn new dance steps as well. We forget what is involved for the beginners.
I'm sick of people not caring at all for the beginners and those dancers who don't pick things up too quickly. This is supposed to be fun after all.
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Just read your "etiquette" article, it was great. I have experienced the same problems but only from time to time. When I teach a dance that some of my dancers have already learnt, some will sit off (mainly to rest)!! , most will help, if not, I ask. I've found sometimes people will have a full-on conversation during a dance when they are bored with the dance...but for the newer people it's still a new dance. Sometimes it's really hard to know what to do, but fortunately this happens only rarely.
Some of my dancers too like to add variations, but not when I'm still teaching the dance, if the variations put people off I do ask the dancers to only add them when people are facing away from them, for instance, if there is a dance that they would like to add extra spins, they will all go down to the back row and do it together and then all the other dancers will not be put off. We also have different physical problems, some people can't do knee thins, some get dizzy with the spins etc etc. o we all accommodate each other and it all works out well. We ALL love our Linedancing and want to keep it going.
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Thank you for your Dance Floor Etiquiette,
I usually find theres one in every class who wants to dance ahead of the Call.
Putting the row behind them out of sync.
So I call the count very loudly, they get the message.
I too have the same trouble as every other clubs it seems, with people just turning up when it suits them, so I have email out a few class cancellations. Explaining I to am going away or out to dinner.
There reaction sends out a few grumbles saying oh well forget what we've learned. I say well you do what suits you and I also have a life.
Result. They are turning up more consistently than normal. And a little more compassionate.
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by the way you etiquette list is great but I have one for you - if you don't want to dance the dance being taught that's fine but sit quietly and talk softly don't raise your voice to over talk the person teaching the dance or the music for that matter
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Regarding the article on your site, I totally agree, i do not have the trouble i used to with people just standing on the floor (saying hello to each other) etc as i knocked it on the head very early but every now and again it rears it's ugly head and when it does I stop the music or if i am teaching i sit on my table and wait..... I have just started to put out etiquette sheet again, so thank you.
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