What can you say, when a man asks you to dance with him? I most certainly will NOT dance with you, I’ll see you in hell first.
—Dorothy Parker, Complete Stories
The realization struck me, some years ago, that I’d learned to tread lightly when accidentally stepping on other’s feet on the dance floor. Students often laugh at me when I tell them that, but I swear it’s true. Dance etiquette, i.e., awareness of oneself and consideration for others on the dance floor, is a learned skill, and falls under the concept of “floorcraft”.
Likely we’ve all intuited or were taught some basics, such as minimizing big movements on crowded dance floors; acknowledging, apologizing to and checking on people we’ve collided with (and rendering assistance if necessary); staying with the flow of traffic in traveling lanes (or moving to the center when not traveling); and never bringing drinks or food onto the floor. Then there are skills such as navigating in crowded conditions, playfully interacting with other couples, and quickly reacting to protect one another, that take time and practice to master.
In an article on the subject, Miss Emma’s Dancing states “Good floorcraft is the basis of polite social dancing and helps…everyone feel comfortable and welcome.” The article, with an informative 18-point list, provides a thorough accounting. Items range from fundamentals to subtleties like affording new dancers ample space, providing warm encouragement, and even being mindful if, while concentrating, we find ourselves frowning too much in resting dance face.
I prefer a crowded dance floor, both for the energy inherent and skill required. It focuses and enlivens me in ways big floors with lots of empty space do not. Given the chance, of course, I’ll certainly take advantage — having some crazy fun or traveling fast — in larger, uncrowded spaces. But there’s something about a packed floor that really brings me to the moment, moving simply and fluidly with my partner and the crowd. As Miss Emma says, some well-practiced basics, “when danced with consideration and care for your dance partner, will always feel far lovelier than a million higgledy-piggledy steps”.
Whether you like dancing smoothly or going full bore higgledy-piggledy, you’ll find just the space to do it at one of the numerous and varied events listed online at the Dance Calendar.
See you on the dance floor —Sean Donovan