Before the Dance

Personal hygiene is essential for an enjoyable dancing experience.

1. Bad breath, body odor and excessive perspiration are common offenders.

2. Be sensitive to your fellow dancers who may have allergies. Use of cologne, perfume, or any chemical can ruin their evening.

3. For a milonga, dress up a little, and, if you sweat a lot, bring an extra shirt.

4. If you wear accessories or jewelry, make sure they do not turn into assault weapons while dancing.

The Invitation

The most elegant way to invite someone to dance is to use:

• the mirada (eye contact) and

• the cabeceó (nod).

It’s used the same way by the man and the woman, usually during the cortina or early in the tanda.

1. If you choose to invite someone verbally; be gracious whether or not they accept your invitation.

2. If they don’t accept, do not immediately invite the person next to him/her. No one wants to be a consolation prize.

3. Seek out those looking to dance; avoid bothering anyone who has no desire to dance.

4. If you must interrupt a conversation for a dance, do so discreetly.

Give Priority to the Dancing

Never walk across the dance floor while people are dancing! When you get up to meet your dance partner, move on the outside edge of the dance floor.

The Right of Way

On a crowded dance floor, establish eye contact with the dancer approaching at your left before entering the line of dance. Enter the dance floor only after receiving acknowledgment to avoid collision.

Floor craft

At a milonga, couples dance in a “line-of-dance” fashion; that is, counter-

clockwise around the dance floor in 2-3 lanes; you are not only dancing with your partner, but also with all the other couples on the dance floor. To ensure no one gets hurt and the dance floor flows:

1. make sure to observe the line of dance;

2. do not weave between couples; and

3. do not pass anyone.

Distance between Couples

1. Always keep a safe distance to the couple ahead of you in the line of dance, giving them enough space to easily execute a turn.

2. If the distance to the couple in front becomes large, try to catch up in order to not block the couples behind you.

3. Don’t move backwards to invade the space that belongs to the couple behind you.

When the Dance Floor Is Crowded…

1. Keep all movements within the embrace!

2. Avoid linear boleos, sweeping planeos and volcadas or any intrusive movement that would endanger other couples.

3. Always adapt your movements to the size of the crowd.

Apologizing is appreciated.

If, despite all your precautions, you are involved in a collision, keep your cool and apologize with grace.

Tanda Tact

1. When you stand up to dance with someone, the understanding is that you dance with them until the end of the tanda. If you only want to dance two songs with them, you have to wait until the tanda is two songs from the end to invite them to dance.

2. The alternative, known as “breaking the tanda,” is considered extremely rude.

3. You should only leave the dance floor in the middle of a tanda if you are in pain, your mother is dying, or if your partner has overstepped the rules of common decency.

Small Talk

In between songs, talking is fine (in fact some would say small talk is almost obligatory), but do not talk whilst dancing. Also, do not continuously apologize to your partner if you make mistakes.

Thank You!

1. Only say thank you when you’re done dancing. If you say thanks in the middle of a tanda, your partner will think you’re breaking the tanda.

2. Never respond with “You’re welcome,” because it implies that dancing with you is a favor you’re bestowing, when the whole point of dancing is mutual enjoyment.

3. Instead, be as charming as you can, and say “Thank you,” “It was my pleasure,” or something equally delightful.

Feedback

1. Do not give or ask for feedback at a milonga.

2. Reserve comments on improvements for practicas and classes – and only if requested.

3. Offering advice or criticism during a milonga—no matter how good your intentions are, or however helpful your suggestions—belittles your partner, which defeats the purpose of sharing the respect and mutual enjoyment of a tanda.

Chivalry

1. When you finish dancing, leave the floor as quickly as possible, ensuring those on it are given their space.

2. The leader always escorts the follower back to the original point of rendezvous, extends their gratitude, and walks away gracefully.

Be an Example

BE FRIENDLY. Invite someone you never danced with and make it your mission to make it a great experience.

BE GRACIOUS. Don’t confuse a declined dance invitation with personal rejection. Being kind and friendly with everyone, including those who may not dance with you, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for all.

BE CURIOUS. Find out the names of your favorite songs. Getting to know and understanding the music will make you more comfortable and confident at the milonga.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…

BE GENEROUS. The goal for a successful milonga experience should not be how many good dances you GET, but how many good dances you GIVE.