How to refuse the second dance

[NeoDevin]

To go along with "How many dances with the same partner? (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1589)", What do you do if you're dancing with someone, and for whatever reason (they're not fun to dance with, they have a deathgrip, bad breath, whatever) you don't want to dance with them again, but they want another dance with you. How would you guys handle this situation. This has never happened to me, but it happened to my ex-g/f when we were going out. I spotted it and rescued her from him by sneaking in and asking her for the next dance.

Devin

[MadamSamba]

Hey, Neo... this (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=960&highlight=) post looks at a similar subject...how to say no, but usually to someone you don't want to dance with even once...it's multi-purpose in that you could use many of the gems in this post to avoid dancing with someone you didn't want to initially...an oldie, but a goodie...who knew there were so many genteel ways to say, "bugger off". he he he. Just kidding, Mr Moderator. [/url]

[pygmalion]

Hey! That's Ms. Moderator! :lol: :lol:

I usually use the line, "Hey. Wanna take a break?" It's a lot easier to turn down the second dance than the first. ... At least for me.

[redhead]

When the first dance is over and you don't know if he's gonna ask you for the next one but you know for sure you don't want the second one, smile, say "thank you" and start walking away before he opens his mouth. It's the only thing that works for me, since I hate to say "no". :roll: HTH

[SDsalsaguy]

Hey! That's Ms. Moderator! :lol: :lol:
I think MadamSamba was actually taking a good-natured jibe at me Jenn. :wink:

...especially as one of the things that came up briefly while she and I were talking last night was the (thankfully) occasional need for me to clean up language to keep the Forums appropriate for all ages from 13 up.

[Sagitta]

When the first dance is over and you don't know if he's gonna ask you for the next one but you know for sure you don't want the second one, smile, say "thank you" and start walking away before he opens his mouth. It's the only thing that works for me, since I hate to say "no". :roll: HTH

That works both ways. Thank a follow and walk away for the leader too. :) However, it is a little extreme. Somehow just leaving a person seems a little rude. I prefer escorting a person both onto and off the dance floor. A lot of people aren't used to it though.

[redhead]

I guess walk away works for both leaders and followers... But escorting - for leaders only :D

[pygmalion]

I'll usually just smile really big and say,"wanna take a break?" How can he say no? :wink: That is, if I say it BEFORE he gets the chance to ask the second time. Just jump in as the music is winding down. It works for me.

[DancingMommy]

Well, I usually try to put it politely, but sternly, that I have to spread myself equally amongst *all* the dancers... Perhaps that comes from having to do the "duty" dance with every male student in the studio.....

How did I get so *lucky* to work in a studio that had more men than women?????