Social Dancing Courtesy at first may seem to be a very old-fashioned idea. Yet consideration and politeness for others is timeless and will always be appreciated. The following few paragraphs teach a few broad guidelines and, if followed, will contribute a great deal to the enjoyment of your dance time and to other people enjoying theirs.

It is quite normal in a number of dance clubs to dance with different partners throughout the evening, therefore it is only fair to at least dance the first and the last dance with the partner with whom you came.

For Men - Before asking a woman to dance, it is advisable to watch her dance first with someone else and carefully take note of what she is doing. This is so he won't cause her any embarrassment by launching into a death defying routine, especially if this is her first dance event.

The same applies to a partner whom you have never met before. Gradually build up and start with the basics. If your partner has difficulty doing something , then just smile and enjoy doing something that she can do.

Do not try to show off. No one likes a show off at the best of times, and never at a dance evening and with a new partner.

If you go to a dance event and you do not have a partner, and many people are in this situation, avoid trying to monopolise that one partner for the whole event. If things happen to work out alright, then you can make a date to visit again as a couple.

Women should keep in mind that it often takes a lot of courage for a man to ask a woman for a dance. If a man does come over and ask you to dance, try to be flattered and agree to dance with him. If he is really not to your liking, then you can make your polite excuses should he ask you again. At least, you have been courteous and allowed him to dance with you.

If you are a shy or a beginner, the man will appreciate your modesty in telling him so that he should not launch into his own version of "Saturday Night Fever" or some other nonsense.

On the other hand, it may be the man who introduces himself as the shy beginner when asking a woman to have a dance with him.

When taking to the floor, it is very important to try and avoid causing any problems for the other dancers. In the ballroom dances, normally the man starts a dance facing the wall. It may seem quite natural for him to walk onto the dance floor backwards while focusing his attention on his partner. This can create an annoying and an unnecessary hazard for the other dancers already on the floor. The best method is to approach the floor and gauge the flow of traffic before you take up your starting position, show due care and consideration for other dancers.

Make sure you show consideration for other dancers on the floor especially when it is crowded. Try to avoid dance moves which need lots of room where there isn't any room to do them. If you seem to keep bumping into other people on the dance floor, then it's time to cool your dance moves.

Anyway, it is much nicer when you dance close to your partner when the floor is crowded, and it is a great opportunity to engage in conversation.

When the dance finishes, politely thank your partner and give him or her, the option of dancing the next dance with you. You should not automatically assume that they will. When you leave the floor, the man should escort his partner to at least the edge of the floor, if not all the way back to her seat. When leaving the floor, especially during a dance, always show the same politeness and consideration.

When leaving the floor before the music has ended in a travelling dance, you should always try and dance to the edge of the floor and leave the floor at that point.

Under no circumstances should drinks be taken onto the dance floor. They are likely to be spilled, this will spoil the floor, but also broken glass on a dance floor is extremely dangerous. If you have to pass the dance floor on the way back from the bar, wait until all the dancers are finished or find a better place. There should be no smoking on the floor. It is disgusting and dangerous and the height of bad manners.

Remember that politeness and consideration can go a long way and is always welcomed by others.