Dance Floor Etiquette

The below commentary (author unknown) was written primarily for Country dancing. I have inserted comments (in blue) to also cover Ballroom dancing. Many of the comments made for Country dancers also applies to Ballroom and other dancers. Always share the floor and be courteous to others. Be alert so people don't get injured.

It's surprising how many people have been dancing for years and never knew that there is a fast lane and a slow lane on the dance floor or that the line of dance is counter-clockwise as illustrated below.

On larger floors, the first 3 to 5 feet around the edge is the "fast lane." It is for the Country dances of Two-Step, Polka, Triple Step and other fast progressive dances.

It is also for Ballroom dances such as Waltz, Foxtrot and other dances that travel in a circle around the dance floor.

The next 3 to 5 feet around the floor is the "slow lane." It is for slower progressive and stop and go dances such as the Country dances of Schottische, Shuffle, Cowboy Cha-Cha and Fixed Pattern Partner Dances.

It is also for Ballroom dances such as Waltz, Foxtrot and other dances that travel in a circle around the dance floor.

If you are going slow, stay in an inner lane, closer to the center, and let people pass you on the outside. The closer you go to the center, the slower you may go.

There are dances that travel and stop momentarily to execute fancy patterns that are stationery or semi-stationery. Do not stop the line of dance to do these patterns. Move to the center where it is unoccupied, then rejoin the line of dance when you again wish to travel. Remember, the outside lane of the line of dance is for the faster traveling dancers.

In Country dancing half of the center of the floor is for Swing Dancing and the other half of the center is for Line Dancing.

Dancers should never line up clear out to the rail and block progressive dancers. Even if the DJ called an electric slide, somebody else might want to do a two-step.

If there are just a few popular line dances done where the floor gets filled up, it is probably better for the progressive and swing dancers to let the line dancers have the floor.

Line dancers should also be aware of those around them and be aware that progressive dancers may be coming around the edge of the floor. The faster the song, the smaller the steps! In other words, be careful not to kick someone, step on someone's foot so they can't dance next weekend, or trip some lady who is spinning so fast in the fast lane that she doesn't see your fancy legwork stickin' out there!

The center of the floor for ballroom is used for Cha-Cha, Swing (all varieties), Hustle and other Latin and ballroom dances that do not travel. Leave the outside edges of the dance floor for those dancers that need to travel. If you observe a couple attempting to pass you, move toward the center of the floor and allow them to pass. Always be courteous to other dancers, and always be aware of other dancers around you for safety reasons.

The corners are where fast dancers pass each other or pause for non-progressive turns.

It's not cool to stand on the dance floor to socialize, nor is it cool to bring your drinks and cigarettes to the floor while dancing.