Ballroom Dancing Etiquette: How Not to Be ‘That Guy’ on the Dance Floor

Nervous or scared to start dance lessons? You’re not alone—many first-time students often delay coming in because they feel intimidated about trying something new. Maybe dancing makes you feel silly, or you feel like you’ll never be as good as anyone else in class. Perhaps you’re not confident in your abilities, or you think that, just because you’ve never learned to dance before, you can’t pick it up now.

Ballroom dancing

Well, we’re here to fix all that! The good news is, no matter how inexperienced you are, Arthur Murray New Jersey has a place for you. With a little knowledge and some practice, even the person with two left feet can learn to dance and look smooth on the dance floor at social events.

If you’re still testing the waters with dance, let us help you prep for your next night out. Even if you’re not on the path to being a pro dancer quite yet, you can follow these quick tips to brush up on your dance floor moves so you won’t have to worry about looking like a fool.

5 tips to look smooth on the dance floor—even if you “don’t dance”

  • Ballroom dancing 1Step to the beat. You might have a sense of rhythm you didn’t even know about! If you’re not sure if you know how to step along to the beat, feel free to practice before you head out. Focus on the music and see how your body reacts naturally—stepping to the beat can often happen on its own if you are willing to move a little.
  • Commit and be confident. The key to looking like you know what you’re doing is acting like it. Ever heard of ‘fake it ‘til you make it?’ If you choose to do a certain move or you pull someone onto the dance floor, it’s essential that you commit fully. Anything less than full commitment will be very telling that you’re either not confident or don’t know what you’re doing. The best dancers keep confidence at the forefront of their minds and actions.
  • Smile. Similar to the above tip, smiling can greatly enhance the illusion that you know what you’re doing and you’re enjoying it. Plus, once you do crack a smile, chances are you’ll actually start enjoying yourself—smiling makes you happier. Dancing is supposed to be a time to let loose and have fun, so try to let go of some of those negative voices in your head and smile at fellow dancers. Don’t look at your feet; look at the people around you.
  • Ballroom dancing 2Do “the mirror.” When in doubt, copy your fellow dancers! Most people don’t know what they’re doing (they just act like it), so it’s common to watch others and mirror some of their moves. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?
  • Practice. Dance everywhere you can. Simply getting more comfortable moving to music will help you feel so much more confident when it’s time for action. When you can, try to practice in front of a mirror as well.

If you’re ready to feel confident on your feet, meet new people, and maybe even have some fun, you should consider grabbing a dance lesson—the first one is on us! There are some easy ballroom dances for beginners we would recommend for you, so don’t hesitate to drop in to your local AMNJ studio (see locations) and try a free first lesson. We can’t wait to help you find your groove!

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