Conduct
External Resources
- 627 Stomp Code of Conduct
- Athen's Swing Night Code of Conduct
- Culture, Values, Etiquette by Blue Note
- Christchurch Swing Town Rebelz Community Guidelines
- Cat's Corner Code of Conduct
- The Dancer's Bill of Rights and Obligations by Laura Riva
- Lindy Hopper's Etiquette by Swing it (formerly Holy) Lindy Land
- Mobtown Ballroom Code of Conduct
- Swing Dance Sydney Code of Conduct
Conventions
One-dance vs. Two-dance "rule"
In some parts of the world, people usually dance two dances together vs. one dance when they agree to a dance. There is no universally acknowledged protocol.
- As always, one can ask for another dance and one can always refuse a dance, but local custom exists
- North America: usual expectation is one dance
- Two dances appeared to be the norm in Europe (circa 2005? 1999?)
Specific Regions
Individual anecdotes, taken from online discussions if not referenced. + for multiple individuals)
- Barcelona: one dance
- Vienna: 50/50
- France:
- rarely
- common to ask for a second dance
- UK:
- was told by others two dances is the custom
- one dance (+)
- two dance
- In the past but not now (+)
- balboa: one dance
- Middle Eastern Europe: two dances
- Europe: two dances
- Germany: two dances
- Sweden: two dances (+)
- Herrang: two dances
- Finland: two dances
- Czech Republic: two dances
- Australia: two dances (++)
- Brisbane: one dance
- Perth: one dance
Potential Reasons (speculative unless otherwise referenced)
- Two dances where it is common to play two songs of the same style in the row
- Two dances from folk tradition
- Role imbalance - two dance would mean more dancing after waiting (but more waiting?)
- Foreigners may be excused for not knowing/adhering to local custom
- Two dances more prevalent among the dancers who started earlier
- Multiple dances in a row means being more connected with your partner
- One dance means no expectations, avoiding the people feeling entitled to dances from someone else
Variations
- Ask for another dance in the future
- Live music: Longer songs may also be considered equivalent to multiple dances
- One and a half dances - ask for a full song if only a small fraction of the previous one was danced
- One dance for "in-demand" people
- Ask for as many dances as you want
- See also: Lindybeige's rant on the two dance rule
Counting
- Most movements are either 8 counts or 6 counts
- Dancers often count steps in sets of 8 counts
- vs. musicians usually consider the music to be 4/4 (4 count)
- Dancers will often start by counting "5,6,7,8" before starting on the first "1" of a sequence
- Many movements are considered to start on the "8" immediately preceding the first "1"
- Counting "5,6,7,8" attributed to Luigi Faccuito, "the father of American jazz dancing" in the New York Times article In Person; 'Never Stop Moving' April 15, 2001 by Mary Ann Castronovo Fusco.
...No longer leading man material, he found himself newly dependent on keeping in step with chorus dancers. Dominic Frontiere, a big-band musician, helped him perfect his timing by counting, ''1, 2, 3, 4.'' Mr. Faccuito would reply, ''ah, 5, 6, 7, 8!'' His habit caught on and is now a standard part of every dancer's lexicon.
- Other variations: "ah 5, ah 6, ah 5,6,7,8", more rarely "1...3...5,6,7,8", or scatting/noises instead of the counts
- Frankie Manning: "ah 1, ah 2, you know what to do"
- Sometimes used (usually with shouting, noise) to indicate the entry of a new entrant to a jam circle