Dance Taboos

[FancyFeet]

I try to watch what jewelry I wear when I go dancing. Long necklaces that might sling around are not a good idea. I love the look of my long ropy faux pearls from Forever 21, but they are a disaster waiting to happen on the dance floor.

They work if you add a stitch or two at key locations to keep them attached to your shirt. Simply add a few stay-stiches (I like bottom, and one on each side), then clip them when you're done. Even a few safety pins will work.

I learned this trick when I wanted the look of long necklaces for a show routine, and they kept getting in the way.

 

[cornutt]

I've gotten ponytail whipped, more than once. If you have long hair, please don't do a braided ponytail. Especially don't do a braided ponytail with barrettes and stuff in it. Ouch! If you have long hair, a loose ponytail is fine. It may get in my face now and then but I can deal with that. Oddly, I've never run into a problem with a partner's jewelry. (Edit: the exception is earrings. Make sure they are secure, lest a spin turn them into missiles.) I myself wear no jewelry while dancing other than a wedding band. As far as tops, layered things can cause a problem now and then, but I can usually deal with it. I did have a rather embarrassing (but funny) episode once when I got my hand caught in a partner's cardigan sweater. Some women ask about sleeveless and open-back tops. My answer is: I don't mind, as long as you don't mind my hand on your bare back.

There are only a few reasons why I'd not want to ask a lady for another dance. Sour attitude, leans heavily on my frame, persistent back-leader, very drunk, bad hygiene.

 

[Dr Dance]

Re leaders who try to teach on the floor: even if what they say is correct, I'm still not interested. If I want a lesson, I'll pay for it. I'm just not looking for instruction at a social dance.

I make allowances for one leader who sometimes tells me what the components of the steps are. The people he leads the most (his wife, his teacher, and some other students at his level) know what his repertoire is. I don't, and in many cases don't remember or didn't learn the particular steps; I'm impressed by his determination to learn how to lead me and if he needs to occasionally help with verbal hints, I'm fine with that.

Rather than "help" your partner by "giving them a lesson," I believe that it is more appropriate to ask a dance instructor to intervene.

 

[opendoor]

..Unsolicited corrections on the dance floor.. during a social dance..

The problem is to define social dance. Teaching on the dancefloor is ok when it takes place at socials organized by your studio, dance school, chain, or teachers. These so called socials still belong into that protected area. Corrections are inappropriate only on the pista in the wild.

 

[lucia_l]

Braided ponytail weapons: If you’re planning on dancing where there could be some spinning involved, high braided pony-tails can be considered a weapon. Imagine a stiff, tightly wrapped rope whipping you in the face with every turn.

I'm glad I read this! I was trying to find "hair solutions" and was tempted by a clip on long braid. That's off the list of contenders!

 

[David_In_CA]

The problem is to define social dance. Teaching on the dancefloor is ok when it takes place at socials organized by your studio, dance school, chain, or teachers. These so called socials still belong into that protected area. Corrections are inappropriate only on the pista in the wild.

To me, unsolicited student-student instruction is only ok at spaces that explicitly mention it as a possibility. Maybe it would be ok at something that's called a practica, but I'd find it unwelcome at anything that's called a social.

 

[opendoor]

..only ok at spaces that explicitly mention it as a possibility

No one will mention it. The deception must persist (otherwise the studio would loose customers).

 

[Dupont]

THE WILD HORSE
The wild horse follower usually doesn’t have a good command of timing, musicality or following technique, so she steps randomly with no particular connection to the music or what her partner is leading. She might be completely oblivious to this, having a blast in all the randomness

Very true description! Rarely, I encounter this type. Often they are one-time or rare visitors to ballroom dance events.

I have had most accidents with them. Now, if I see that the dancing with wild woman becomes dangerous, I slow down, simplify, and often simply walk along line of dance or step in place from foot to foot. I give no leads besides the direction and speed of walking.

 

[lucia_l]

Wild horse..... Oh heavens. That's been me in Mambo. . .