SOCIAL CONVENTIONS & COURTESY ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Invite your dance partner by making eye contact. In Milongas, the action of asking someone to dance with eye contact and a nod is called the “cabeceo”.

If one of the partners says “Thank You” at the end of a song, the other one responds in the same way and both move off the floor. It is customary to dance a “tanda” (= a set of 3 to 5 songs) with the same person before saying “thank you” and moving on. “Thank you” signifies your desire to conclude the dance.

A Milonga is a formal party where people dress up and gather to dance Tango. It is very inappropriate to start critiquing or correcting your dance partner’s technique at a Milonga.

Leaders should respect the follower’s choice of embrace.

Respect your partner’s dance style and level.

It is customary for a leader to escort his partner back to her seat when they have finished dancing.

Don’t interrupt people while they are dancing. Your dance partner deserves your undivided attention. If you have some urgent need for information exchange, at least wait until a moment between songs, and keep it very brief.

PERSONAL HYGIENE

Wear a clean shirt and bring a spare if you worry about getting sweaty. Don’t forget to use anti-perspirant. If you use some fragrance, please use it sparingly. Some people have a problem getting up close and personal to heavy fragrance.

WHAT TO DO WITH CORTINAS

At Milongas, the DJs will play a cortina between tandas. A cortina is a short piece (about 30 seconds) of non-tango music that tells the dancers this tanda is over and a new tanda is about to begin. The next tanda will be a different style of music and is normally danced with a new partner.

TRAFFIC & SAFETY

Respect the space of the other couples on the dance floor by dancing circular at the outer perimeter in anti-clockwise direction. It is advisable for leaders to make only one back step.

Don’t overtake, speed, zigzag or cut people off.

Don’t dance in the middle of the floor; the best place to be is in the outer lane.

Dancing couples have absolute right of way on the dance floor. Pedestrians are advised not to walk on the dance floor when not dancing.

Don’t hold up traffic. The floor is constantly moving forward.

Followers are not to be used as human shields for your protection; also, followers (especially with stiletto heels) are not to be deployed as weapons