Line dancing etiquette

Line dancing etiquette is minimal compared to other dance styles I’ve danced. It’s easier when you’re all dancing the same dance in the same direction compared with social partner dancing where it’s all improvised. But there is still etiquette to understand and follow for safety and enjoyment reasons.

Here’s some of my thoughts on line dancing etiquette which can be used for class or social dance situations.

General line dancing etiquette

Stick with dancing in lines. The clue is in the name. Turning to the next wall will move people out of lines slightly, but stick to the same direction, and you’ll largely remain in line and avoid being clobbered or knocking someone else.

Understand the wall directions. If you struggle left and right, maybe you’ll find the clock analogy used in line dancing for the 4 walls to be easier to remember. You start at 12 o’clock then know where the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock walls are in relation to the front.

Don’t walk through the lines if you’re leaving or joining the dance floor.  Ideally wait until the end of a dance, but walk along the line and around the outside, as this is safer for everyone.

Watch the size of your steps.  Especially important in busy classes or social dances, in particular when stepping backwards if you don’t know where the person behind you is. (Plus it’s easier to dance to fast music keeping your steps small).

No drinks on the dancefloor. Spillages can be dangerous, and ruins anyone’s shoes if they’ve got suede soles.

Be aware of the space around you. The teacher or DJ may ask for lines to move to allow for more space at the front or back, so listen and move when asked.

Given you’re not dancing with a partner, getting hot and sweaty is just unpleasant for you. But body odour smells can drift, so deodorant is preferable if you’re someone who’ll get hot when dancing. (I was surprised at how hot I get when line dancing).

Encourage beginners. Everyone was a beginner once so welcome them, and say hi so they want to come back.

If you bump into someone, be polite and say sorry.

Social line dancing etiquette

During social dances, if there are different versions of dances (usually different levels) to the same song, the floor may be split. So listen to the DJ to know where you should be going, e.g absolute beginner dance in one area of the room, intermediate level version being danced in the other part.

If you’re not dancing, make sure any chairs you’re sitting on or near, aren’t encroaching on the dance floor.  Same goes for bags, outdoor shoes, and other bits and pieces that have been brought along.

Don’t loiter on the dance floor at the end of a dance, unless you’re dancing to the next dance as well. 

If the dance floor is busy, stick to smaller steps, and lower kicks. Just be aware of those around you, who may not be dancing advanced spin versions of dances.

If joining a dance once it’s started, don’t try to join an existing line. Start a new one or join an end if there’s room.

If you’re at an event you may find that partner dancing is being done around the edge of the room.  Partner dancers are given the right of way, so watch out if you’re on the end of a line.

As a beginner, don’t just assume you’ll be able to keep up with all dances if you’ve not been taught them. With changes of walls and tempos, you might be in danger, and a danger to other dancers if you duck in and out of rows, or can’t pick up more complicated dances.

All in all, use some common sense. Be in control of your own moves and have spatial awareness of those around you.

Oh, and have lots of fun. The main reason for dancing in the first place.