Make Your Partner Happy

  • Leaders should not execute uncomfortable leads: forceful leads will not be appreciated. If the follower is not doing what you want, then it is either that your lead was not skillful enough or the pattern was too difficult for your follower and both are the leader’s faults. Do not execute a pattern on the social dance floor if you do not know it well enough. Keep it for classes and practice time.
  • Followers should not back-lead. It is disrespectful and disturbing, and violating the rules of a dance partnership.
  • When dancing with less experienced followers, leaders should start with simple steps and increase the difficulty to the level their partner will handle and enjoy. Always, make your partner look good!
  • Regardless of who makes a mistake in dance, both dancers should smile and go on. Accepting blame is a nice gesture for a leader and a better dancer. But at the same time, do not apologize too much: it makes your partner uncomfortable, and you lose the time you can spend dancing and making up for your mishap. If you do make a mistake, first try to see if your partner noticed. There is no need to point it out if the partner was not even aware of your mistake.
  • One should always try to dance with a new partner for two consecutive songs. It will give the opportunity for the follower to get comfortable and connected to a leader (because everybody’s lead and style is different). The exception to this is when the next song’s tempo is different and you do not know or like it, or you are too tired.
  • However, do not monopolize a partner on the dance floor. It is good to dance for two songs and maybe ask them again later that night.
  • Do not act bored even if you are.
  • If you are a perfectionist in improving your dance skills, leave it behind in social dancing. Playfulness and a sense of humor are crucial in order to enjoy dancing.
  • Look at your partner and smile (except in dances one is not supposed to). Focus on your partner.
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