Ballroom Etiquette

[dawna]

Jenna:

I thought you might enjoy these. Any gentleman who has had the misfortune of asking me to dance would violently disagree with the last point.


<u>Ballroom Etiquette</u>


.never forget that ladies are to be first cared for, to have the best seats, the places of distinction and are entitled in all cases to your courteous protection.

.if you accompany your wife to a dancing party, be careful not to dance with her, except perhaps for the first set.

.be very careful how you refuse to dance with a gentleman. A prior engagement will, of course, excuse you but if you plead fatigue, do not dance the set with another.

.dance quietly, do not kick and caper about, nor sway your body to and fro, dance only from the hips downwards.

.lead a lady as lightly as you would tread a measure with a spirit of gossamer.

.The fall of a couple is not a frequent occurrence in a ball room, but when it does happen it is almost always the man's fault. Girls take much more naturally to the graceful movements of the dance, and are, besides, more often taught in childhood than their brothers.

Never remain in a ball room until all of the company have left, or even until the last set. It is ill-bred and looks as if you are unaccustomed to such pleasures and so desirous to prolong each one. Leave while there are two or three sets to be danced.

It is best to carry two pairs of gloves, as in contact with dark dresses, or in handling refreshments, you may soil a pair and thus will be under the necessity of offering your hand covered in a soiled glove to some partner. You can slip unperceived from the room, change to a fresh pair and then avoid that mortification.

[jenna]

Oh yes, very interesting. I have heard much of that one before. Here's a bit more:

-as hostess of a ball, it is your duty to make sure that all of the young ladies have suitable dance partners at all times.

-when dinner is called, make sure you are the last to leave the ball room, and that all young ladies are paired up with an escort, if they do not already have one.

(I know this got posted somewhere, but I will post it here again)
-if you are a gentleman, it is your responsibility to make sure you do not become a wall decoration. It is a great breech of etiquette to lounge around while there are ladies waiting to be asked to dance. To do so would likely increase your not being invited back.

-never lead a lady by the hand, always escort her by the arm.

-since ladies are not allowed to ask a partner to dance, it is important for a gentleman to not let her sit long waiting for an invitation to dance.

-never whisper to a lady, or lounge around on sofas or chairs during a dance.

-NEVER present an ungloved hand to a lady. It shows ill manners.

-when the dance is over, a gentleman should invite a lady to refreshments. If she does not accept the offer, then he should escort her to her seat and bow and withdraw.

-if a gentleman, whom has not been formally introduced to a lady, should ask that lady for a dance, that lady, if well bred, should flattly refuse, until a proper introduction can be had.