I’ve often seen how most of the students who come to learn dance merrily forget about dance etiquetttes or rather off-the floor courtesy in other words. We forget that dance is not just about pirouetting or twirling and having a woman sway in your arms. It goes beyond that and is a means to develop oneself emotionally, physically and socially. Dance gives you a medium to learn and unlearn many concepts.

Courtesy in our lives is very important. If we are socially active on the dance floor, then the dance floor courtesy is a beneficial tool for any dancer, who wishes to dance on any ballroom floor. However, off-the-floor courtesy is also a welcome tool.
Social dances are classified as either progressive or spot dances. In progressive dances such as foxtrot, waltz, Tango, etc, the rule is to move around the floor only in a counterclockwise direction. This also includes the patterns that take the man backwards. Do not move in the wrong direction, this disturbs other dancers on the floor, who are aware of the social dance movements.
In spot dances, such as the swing, Cha Cha, Rumba, Salsa, etc, the couple should try to keep as much as distance possible in and around the small area where they began dancing. Do not try to squeeze into someone’s space. It is important that you respect your fellow couple’s space all the time.
When the dance music is such that it permits more than one dance style, such as a Foxtrot or Swing, the swing dancers should go towards the centre of the dance floor, thereby making it possible for the foxtrot dancers to move freely around the area outside the dance floor. Dance patterns in which the forward movement is temporarily suspended should be executed in the centre or fringes of the dance floor, unless one is sure the dance flow will not be impeded. This courtesy also applies to newer dancers, moving towards the centre allows the experienced dancers to really move around the outside of the floor.
Moreover, couples should not stop in between their dance to make conversation, answer their cell phone, argue or discuss in such a way that they block others from continuing to dance. If you are trying to get to the other side of the dance floor, walk around and not through the dancers.
The way one dances and the selection of dance patterns should be governed by the size of the dance floor and the traffic. It is a must for all dancers to be alert and watch out for others when changing imaginary lanes or executing a manoeuver that may put them in someone else’s path. Just like driving, dancers should use good judgment and not bump into other couples who are dancing. Good manners dictate that you apologise when you accidentally bump, step on or kick someone. It is quite annoying to be cut off, bumped, or hurt by overly enthusiastic or inconsiderate dancers who do not observe good dance floor etiquette and technique.
If you decide to attend a dance session solo, be careful in asking them to join you for a dance. Ladies, refrain from asking every man you spot to dance with you. If you’d really like to dance with a particular person, ask them once, then allow them to make the decision to ask you the second time.
Men, when you are asking a lady to dance be courteous, if she apologises for saying no and requests that you ask her later in the evening, then do so! Be conscious of another person’s feelings — this applies to both sexes!
So go ahead and have fun and remember these basic rules.