Three Ways to Ensure a Second Dance With Her

You've been practicing for weeks. You've finally gotten enough confidence to ask a girl onto the floor. You've found the lucky lady, popped the question, and… She said yes! You've clearly already read Dance FX Studios' do's and dont's of the dance floor already, but how do you guarantee that second dance? Let's talk about it!

Why So Serious? Have A Little Fun!

Dancing is fun, right? If it isn't, you're doing it wrong. Talk to your lady! Make her laugh!
There's so much more to dancing than knowing how to swing a girl around the floor. Ladies love a great dancer, but (from experience) are more likely to dance with an okay dancer with a fun, exciting personality than a good dancer with no personality. Laugh off mistakes, play with your partner, and enjoy the dance!

Keep Your Hands to Yourself, R. Kelly.

Let's be honest: creepers exist. Please don't be one of them. There is such a thing as personal space and it should be respected. A dance can go from fun to "Oh, I see my friend over there who needs to cut in RIGHT NOW" really fast. Dance requires a follower to have a lot of trust in her leader. Your job is to keep her feeling safe and protected. This is especially true for the sensual dances out there such as bachata, Argentine tango, or what have you. They are intimate enough without wandering hands turning an innocent dance into a grope-fest.

Side note: If dancing with your significant other (and they don't mind PDA) grope away! Although it may get you some interesting looks from fellow dancers and observers...

Keep it Comfortable. Don't Show Off (Too Much).

Okay, show off a little. You want to impress your partner, because, why not? Just be careful not to go overboard with it! The dance should be comfortable, and a lot of followers feel lost when their leader breaks frame for a little free-style. This was supposed to be a partner dance, right? It's also never fun to be on the follower's side when the leader decides now is a great time to throw in an over-the-shoulder lift. If you flip me, we will never dance again. End of story. Keep it fun, keep it comfy!

Want more ideas to keep her coming back for more? Visit us here in Mesa, Arizona at Dance FX Studios, just minutes away from Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, and Queen Creek, AZ! Learn some killer moves in private dance lessons, or try out one of our group dance classes. Want to tear it up with country two-step? We've got you covered. Need some waltz or foxtrot in your life? We understand. Call us at 480.968.6177 or stop in today. See you soon!

The Do's and Don'ts of Social Dancing (Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of Dance FX Studio's social dancing etiquette! Did you read our DO's of social dancing, yet? Okay, go do that first. Caught up? Good! Now that you know a few things you should be doing, let's move on to some of our DON'Ts for social dance - be it country, swing, ballroom, or latin:

Don't #1

DON'T ask if you don't know the dance.

Identify the dance style before asking for the dance. It's uncomfortable for both you and your partner to say "Let's salsa!" only to discover 30 seconds in that it's actually a bachata… and you don't know how to bachata. Listen to the music, find the rhythm, then ask for your dance once you know you're in familiar territory.  If you aren't able to identify the music yet, there's nothing wrong with asking others near you or sneaking a peak at what others are doing.

There's a part two to this one… Don't know how to waltz? Don't ask someone to waltz. Now, I don't mean "You're new to dance, so stay off the floor!" Advanced dancers are more than happy to help beginners through their basics. But walking on a dance floor without an inkling of what the dance even looks like can only lead to trouble. Be nice to your fellow dancers and take a group dance class or even private lessons first! It'll make you AND your new partner more comfortable.

Don't #2

DON'T dance above your partner's level.

I'm really happy you can do a triple free spin, a rag doll dip, and then flip me over your shoulder, I really am. But, dancing is a partnership, not a competition. If your partner is struggling with the basic, forcing them through crazy turns and tricks isn't your best option. Avoid the embarrassment and potential danger by keeping it simple and comfortable. You'll thank me later!

If they seem like they are a bit more advanced, ease into the harder moves. Test the waters a bit before throwing out multiple turns and harder leads/follows.

Side note: No flips or aerials on the dance floor!! With lots of people and little space, it is incredibly dangerous to you and those around you.

Don't #3

DON'T give lessons on the floor.

You are not a teacher, and (even if you are) the social floor is not a proper teaching space. Think about it - there is little room, it's impossible to hear, and no one asked you for a lesson. Even if you do have truly helpful info for your partner, unsolicited advise can make your partner feel uneasy. Social dance is supposed to be fun, so laugh off the mistakes and move on!

If your partner does ask for help, try to move away from the main dance area. Find a space with plenty of room, so you can break things down without getting in the way.

Now that you know some manners for the dance floor, come visit us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ and learn your moves! As I said earlier, you've gotta know the basics before you jump out on the floor, so check out our private dance lessons. We are conveniently located off the 60 near Tempe and Chandler, minutes away from Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek. We teach everything from Jitterbug to Argentine Tango, so no matter what kind of music or dance you like, we've got you covered!