Bobby White wrote a beautiful article about this here. Below are some of the major points from that article.

We want to have the best time we can at dance events, and we want to make sure we’re making the experience the best for everyone around us. Here are a few simple rules that will keep the dance floor happy and safe for everyone!

  • Verbally ask for a dance. Don’t just reach out a hand or pull someone onto the floor. People like to be asked!

  • You can say no. No excuse needed. A simple “no, thank you” if you don’t want to dance, for any reason.

  • Keep yourself clean and tidy. Long hair might whip someone in the face, loose clothes might be caught by arms. Make sure your personal hygeine is on point with deodorant, and if you sweat a lot, bring towels and an extra shirt (or two!).

  • If the floor is crowded, dance accordingly. Maybe this isn’t the best time for that move that flings your partner away. Keep your eyes on the dancers around you, and pick your moves and stylings accordingly.

  • The social floor is for dancing, not teaching. Unless someone specifically asks you to help with something, don’t offer advice or suggestions to your dance partner (unless someone could get hurt!). On the flip side, you are under no obligation to teach anyone anything while on the social floor, even if you are a teacher.

  • Birthday Jams and Steals Circles, everyone takes turns. Everyone is welcome to participate in birthday jams and steals circles, but make sure you give the person before you enough time to dance with the person in the middle. And remember: this is NOT the place for aerials.

  • Jam Circles are for you to go FULL OUT! And aerials. Show off your best and biggest moves in the middle of a jam circle, including aerials. And remember: this is NOT the place for steals.

  • Aerials are for Jam Circles, and Jam Circles ONLY. The social dance floor is too busy and too wild for aerials - one wrong move and a lot of people can get hurt. Save them for jam circles where it’s just you, your partner and the music.

  • When a band finishes a song, we CLAP! The more you love the song, the harder you clap!

If we can all follows these easy, simple rules, we can all enjoy swing dancing to the absolute fullest!