Code of conduct

We aim to create a safe space for everyone to learn and enjoy.

Please keep to these guidelines for everyone’s comfort, and if you have any questions or concerns, raise it with a teacher!

Dancefloor safety - Be careful when dancing not to hit other dancers or put yourself or your partner at risk. Avoid lifting/acrobatic moves in socials.

Kindness - Be generous and kind, especially to those who ask you to dance. It takes courage, and we all want to practice and improve! However, you’re not obliged to dance with anyone. A simple “no thanks” with a genuine smile is fine, if you feel awkward but would rather not dance.

Asking - Feel free to ask anyone you’d like to dance! Don’t take it personally if they don’t want to dance, there could be many reasons. If you really want to dance with someone but they’ve turned you down a few times, consider asking respectfully if there’s something you could do differently that would make them want to dance with you. If not, respect that they have their own reasons. There are plenty more fish in the sea. ;) Try not to ask the same person too many times in one night (unless they keep asking you back), many people want to dance with everyone there!

Self-awareness - if something doesn’t go right, don’t judge or presume the other person made a mistake, OR beat yourself up for making a mistake. Use unexpected outcomes as opportunities to grow and improve, instead of worrying about who did something wrong! If you’re encountering issues with something/someone in particular, consider speaking to a teacher or getting a private class.

Dating - dancing is a great way to meet new people, but don’t assume everybody is here to date! Please be respectful, and get to know someone a bit before maybe asking for their number. If you are interested in them, you could make it known by asking them on a date - and pay attention to their response. If they aren’t enthusiastic, drop it and move on. Being pursued is uncomfortable for some people who just want to come and dance.

Unsolicited advice - Please do not offer your opinion on somebody else’s dancing in a social. If somebody wants to know how to do something, they will ask. If they do not ask you explicitly, consider that they may not want your help/opinion, and can take private classes or ask for help from a teacher. It may not seem like it, but unsolicited advice can be extremely hurtful when given or received in the wrong way, even if with good intentions (SERIOUSLY, even if you’re only trying to help). Conversely, if you would welcome advice from someone, please ask for it!

If you’re concerned about a person’s dancing, tell the organiser/teacher, who can deal with it directly or indirectly. If you don’t enjoy dancing with them, you don’t have to dance with them.

The exception to this rule is:

Your safety - If somebody is putting you at risk with their dancing, please tell them you feel unsafe, and request they don’t do that. If it doesn’t improve or if you feel unable to say something, feel free not to dance with them. If they ask you why, you can (kindly) tell them the issue, and they can decide to change if they want to dance with you. If there is a common problem you’d like people to be more careful about, please let the teacher/organiser know.

Personal hygiene - Where possible please wash on the day you’re dancing, wear clean clothes, and preferably deodorant. But go easy on the perfume/cologne! (Some people are sensitive)

Concerns - If you ever feel uncomfortable, or are not sure whether something is appropriate, PLEASE come and ask. The teacher is more than happy to chat with you and may be able to help or reassure you, or establish if something needs resolving. We will always hold what you say in strict confidence, and if needed agree with you a course of action you’re happy with. If you don’t tell us, we may not be aware of recurrent problems. 

It might be nothing, or it could be serious - either way we will listen, help if you want us to, and not judge, blame or create drama. Only by your willingness to share can we be aware of what is happening in the community.

We hope you agree that these guidelines make our social dancefloor a more enjoyable place for everyone :) Please let us know if there’s something we missed, or any way we can improve your dancing experience.