Social dancing is integral part of Lindy Hop. To make sure that every dancer has a good time at our socials, we have the following dancers etiquette to be strictly adhered to. In general, if you’re polite and considerate, and pay attention to your partner and others around you, then you’re doing fine!

Here are a few swing etiquette tips to think about when you go out social dancing.

Please support the studio, bar or restaurant putting on this event. Buy a couple of drinks over the course of the night. If you don’t drink, buy bottled mineral water or some food. If you like the music , feel free to buy the band or DJs a drink.

Politely respond when people ask you to dance – you don’t always have to say yes, but you should always be polite in your response. It’s okay to say no when someone asks you to dance. Reciprocally, if someone says no to you, they have their reasons too. Try not to take it personally. See it as supporting your own license to say no! If you’re too tired to dance, politely explain this to the person asking (they’ll understand), and perhaps promise to dance with them later on.

This is a social dance, so engage with your partner! Be aware of how they move…and have fun! If something goes wrong, just smile and keep dancing! Don’t blame your partner and don’t expect an apology, it was neither of your faults. Remember, there’s no such thing as a wrong move, just a new move!

Don’t dip a girl if you don’t know her (or her dance level) very well. Some girls feel very uncomfortable about dips since it completely throws off their natural balance. Be considerate, and if in doubt, end with something else.

Here’s a big one – never instruct on the social dance floor, unless specifically asked! We go to classes to learn, but we go out social dancing just to have fun!

Leaders, it’s your job to keep your lady safe. Be aware of the environment around you, including the stage, furniture, bystanders, and of course other couples. Dance appropriately for how crowded the dance floor is and always be careful where you lead your partner. The same goes for ladies – try to be spatially aware, and keep an eye out for any dangers behind your partner’s back. If you do collide with another couple, be sure to apologise and make sure no damage has been done.

NEVER do aerials on a crowded social dance floor – it’s just plain dangerous, for you and for everyone around you. The same goes for dips, tricks jumps or kicks which might be bigger than your average moves. Use common sense, and save these aerials for the jam sessions. While we’re on the topic of aerials, remember that aerials are dangerous and difficult, and you should never attempt them unless you’ve been properly trained and are with a partner with whom you’re very familiar. The place for aerials is clearly in a Jam Circle, performance, competition (Strictly and Showcase only). You will be disqualified if aerial is executed in category such as J&J, Luck of the Draw, Mix n Match, Lindy Roulette or similar category. Clearly, this is because the partner which you danced with for the first time has not train or practice the aerial with you. This is dangerous and may result in serious injuries.

Swing dancing is a contact sport, and you can’t expect anyone to want to dance with you if you don’t have a certain level of cleanliness. Be sure you’re clean and deodorized before you start dancing. Bring your deodorant along with you, and let yourself cool down (and dry off) every now and again throughout the night. Breath mints aren’t such a bad idea either.

If you tend to sweat a lot, wear an undershirt, and always bring a change of shirt (or two or three!) and a towel. There’s nothing worse than Lindy Hop with someone dripping wet…except maybe Balboa with someone dripping wet! And we’re not just talking about the guys here, the same goes for ladies.

Try to wear appropriate clothing. In general, ladies, tops that reveal a large amount of midriff aren’t particularly appropriate, and some leads may not feel comfortable leading you on bare skin. Strapless tops aren’t usually a good idea, and the same goes for guys with tank tops and the like.

Make sure your clothing is comfortable and you have a full range of movement. Tops that are overly baggy can be difficult to dance in, and any clothing which you need to keep adjusting during a dance is not good.

Remove any potentially dangerous accessories (watches, rings, bracelets, necklaces) which might catch, tangle or hit someone while you dance. Don’t carry keys in your pocket when you dance!

Dance in appropriate shoes with soles that allow you to move without slipping, and support you sufficiently. Ladies, be careful of long ponytails – no one likes to get whipped in the face with flying hair during spins and turns.

Though it doesn’t really need to be said, when the song is finished, thank your partner! With just a little commonsense and consideration, everyone can enjoy social dancing and get down to what it’s really about – doing the dance we love, making friends and always having fun! What do I do if…?

If you witness any behaviour that seems abusive, disrespectful, harassing, suspicious, unsafe, or behaviour that makes you or someone else feel uncomfortable for any reason, then you can (and should) do something

If possible, raise your concern with the person/people involved. If that’s not possible, or it needs reporting, tell someone. Talk to your teacher. If the issue concerns your teacher and you want to talk to someone else, then please speak to the organiser directly or contact us via email at info@lindyrevolution.sg. We will respond to your email as soon as we can and take it from there. There’s also a ‘Contact Us’ form on our website or the email addresses and contact numbers below. As the situation warrants, we reserve the right to take any action we deem necessary to deal with inappropriate behavior. Inappropriate behavior that cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the organizers may result in actions ranging from a verbal warning to permanent exclusion from all Lindy Hop SG activities without refund.

Although these situations are extremely rare in our community, we take your concerns seriously. We’ll always make time for you and carefully consider any action that needs to be taken.