etiquette

* Be respectful. No talking while the instructor is
teaching. Take your conversations out in the
lobby.

* No cell phone use during class. Turn your
phone off or switch it to vibrate. Take all calls out
of the room.

* If you enter a class in progress, take a moment
to observe the shine or turn pattern being
executed before joining in. Save questions until
breaks between songs.

* When doing shines, position yourself so you
can see the mirror, but do not block another
student's view!

* Greet your dance partners with a smile every
time and finish each rotation with a brief
thank-you.

* Dance each turn pattern as it is taught. Save
personal variations for the end of the turn pattern.

* Do not vocalize criticism of your partner's
dancing ability. Friendly help with a step is to be
offered only upon invitation.

* Don't forget the bare essentials! Make sure you
are a pleasure to be around. Bring a small towel
if you perspire a lot. I'll provide the mints, but the
rest is up to you.

* Be sociable. Try to dance with at least one
or two new people each time you go out
dancing.

* Leaders, you cannot manipulate dance floor
traffic. You can, however, navigate your own
partner on the social dance floor and avoid
most dance floor collisions by looking before
leading. Don't send your partner into another
couple's space.

* The dance floor is not a stage! Respect
fellow dancers: remain in our slot and dance
small if the room is crowded. Never take
huge steps back during your basic or open
break.

* Take care of one another on the floor. If
you see another dancer careening in your
partner's direction, warn him or her.

* Ladies, if your hair is very long, try to keep
it under control. Lashes from gel-hardened or
wet hair can be unpleasant for other dancers.

* Ladies and gentlemen, if you perspire
profusely, dry off your skin and hair with a
towel between dances. Freshen up and bring
extra shirts to change into if you are into
marathon dancing.

* A note on shines: Communication should
not stop between you and your partner just
because you are doing shines. Make eye
contact and do not stare at the floor.