Square Dancing Etiquette
1. If you'd like to dance with someone, take the initiative and invite them to dance. Anyone can ask anyone to dance. Many dancers can dance the right-hand position (female role) and left-hand position (male role).
2. Everyone has the right to say "no" to a dance, for any reason. Most reasons are not personal. Simply smile graciously and bow out.
3. Once in a square, it is considered rude to abandon it unless you become ill or injured. It is also considered rude to walk through one square to get to another. If you suspect or plan to sit out a portion of a tip, please have a replacement dancer ready to substitute with you.
2. Everyone has the right to say "no" to a dance, for any reason. Most reasons are not personal. Simply smile graciously and bow out.
3. Once in a square, it is considered rude to abandon it unless you become ill or injured. It is also considered rude to walk through one square to get to another. If you suspect or plan to sit out a portion of a tip, please have a replacement dancer ready to substitute with you.
4. Thank your partner and the other dancers in your square for the dance when the tip ends.
5. Styling/flourishes can be really fun, but excessive or prolonged movements can throw off timing and balance, or can impact others in your square. Likewise, twirling is fun, but too hard or too fast can lead to injuries. Let the twirlee decide-- Arm up means okay to twirl, arms down means no twirling.
6. Once a tip is underway, listen to the caller and avoid talking in the square. If you are sitting out a tip, please be respectful with your voice level.
7. Arrive clean and spiffy, and limit the use of scented products. Be mindful of how jewelry could affect other dancers.
5. Styling/flourishes can be really fun, but excessive or prolonged movements can throw off timing and balance, or can impact others in your square. Likewise, twirling is fun, but too hard or too fast can lead to injuries. Let the twirlee decide-- Arm up means okay to twirl, arms down means no twirling.
6. Once a tip is underway, listen to the caller and avoid talking in the square. If you are sitting out a tip, please be respectful with your voice level.
7. Arrive clean and spiffy, and limit the use of scented products. Be mindful of how jewelry could affect other dancers.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If a dancer falls or has a medical emergency, one dancer in the square should attend to them while the others make a circle to give them room and lift their joined hands to signal for help. The caller and club executives will determine next steps and whether to call 911.
If a dancer falls or has a medical emergency, one dancer in the square should attend to them while the others make a circle to give them room and lift their joined hands to signal for help. The caller and club executives will determine next steps and whether to call 911.