It is often that students ask me about etiquette on the dance floor, and most importantly, I’ve been asked if there is an etiquette in Bachata (as Bachata has a closer position and connection compared to other rhythms).
Whilst there are many points of advice in this area, here’s a list of the top 5 etiquette rules for leaders and followers:
1. Keep a comfortable closeness (or distance) with your partner.
This is the rule number one. Most of the time, Bachata calls for dancing close, connecting with your partner. Sometimes, the guys forget that the girls might have a boyfriend or husband watching her dance, so getting too close with the legs wrapped around will not be a nice spectacle at all.
2. Look after your hygiene.
Remember the following letters S.B.S (sweat, breath and smell)
- Check your SWEAT – have a little towel available or additional shirts to change in.
- Check your BREATH – have a drink of water or some chewing gum.
- Check your SMELL – quickly put deodorant or go outside for fresh air.
3. Focus solely on your dance partner, rather than on the person you want to be dancing with next.
There is nothing worse than dancing with someone that is trying to showoff, rather than focus on dancing with you. By nature, Bachata dancing is not made for showing off, as it doesn’t have many multiple spins, complex combinations or fancy show moves. The couples that really shine on the dance floor are the ones that connect with each other and the music (refer to point 4).
4. Listen to the music and dance with the music.
There is a vast variety of Bachata music out there, ranging from Traditional Dominican Style to Urban Latin Bachata. The music will tell you how to dance the song and where the breaks are. I’ve seen dancers that just learned a new Dominican footwork trying to use it on a smooth Urban Bachata; and vice versa, I’ve seen dancers doing intricate combinations on Dominican songs that call for footwork and free expression. As my previous article, think of Bachata as wine… there are red, white and rose wines that are perfect for specific occasions – same goes with Bachata.
5. Respect the level of your dance partner.
There will always be beginners and advanced dancers on the dance floor. For the advanced dancers we have to remember that we were beginners at one point, and how frightful it was to ask an advanced dancer for a dance. Instead of focusing on showing off or proving that you are an advanced dancer (as stated on point 3), focus on enjoying the dance and leaving the dance floor with a smile. This way, it is more likely that the two of you will dance again.
The above points are only part of the overall Bachata etiquette on the dance floor, but if we follow them, we will ensure that our Bachata dancing is enjoyable and fun.
I’m sure there are other points that should be noted, as each one of us have had different experience on the dance floor. Please do share them in the comments section below.
Written by Juan Ruiz – Director of Bachateros Online Magazine, Sydney Bachata Festival and pioneer of the Bachata Moderna movement.
About number 4… YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! 🙂
@Simone, oh yes! we need to listen to the music first, then we do our steps
As always, another interesting Article, ripe for discussion:
I’d like to add a couple of points (from a Guys perspective)
Respect the Guys Lead (even if you know better!!)
Admittedly this is something…I see occasionally…is a more advanced female bachata dancer, dancing with an intermediate male
Bachata dancer, and the woman (looking slightly bored), starts to do her own thing, irrespective of what the guy is trying to lead.
(like going into footwork…when the guy is trying to lead a Cross-on1/Cross-on2…turn pattern). I feel so sorry for the guy when I
See that, the poor guy doesn’t have a clue what is going on. Note to Followers: If you don’t want to even attempt to follow a lead…why accept the Dance?
If We can’t dance with you there-and-Then, Please don’t take offence
This is something that I regularly experience, and probably my number 1, source of irritation…
I Love Bachata more than any other Latin dance, and the girls I dance with know this, and the people
I’m dancing with for the first few times also feel this. Now there are only a very limited amount of Bachata
Songs played throughout the evening, and more often than not…Girls have booked me for a Bachata dance beforehand,
So if some else asks…and I’m unable to commit to a Bachata dance later…Please don’t take offence or give me the cold
Shoulder. If I can’t dance Bachata with you that evening…I’ll make a special effort to catch you, that next time I see you.
But some of the plain rude…or slightly aggressive responses I’ve had just make me want to avoid you, in future…
Sometimes Silence….is Golden!!
I’m probably on my own on this one…but It drives me nuts, when a girl decides to have a Full-on conversation with me, when
I’m trying to lead her…It’s hard enough trying to lead the lady in nice smooth way, whilst interpreting the music..and what the next
Move might be, without having to answer 20 questions whilst we’re dancing. Hey…It’s nice to ask questions…but if possible, can we
Save them for after the dance?
If she wants Space….Give Her Space!!
This is really just reiterating the point 1, in this article…but guys (and Girls?), it’s tempting to just dive in there, and unleash you best
‘Couldn’t slide a piece of paper between us’ moves. Sure, I’ll admit…if it’s someone I’ve danced with a few times…I don’t beat about the
Bush…but if not…give her a little space, and show a strong & confident lead, and that your all about the dance…and 9/10 that girl will give you that trust, and close the distance
Let’s Have a Show of Hands…!!
…And when your partner does allow you to be very close, don’t abuse the privilege….sure, it’s great to allowed to be extremely close, and the dance has headed into that sensual/sexy space. But unless, you know the partner really well or you have that sort of chemistry with them, remember that you need to keep your hands in check. I’ve had the odd few dances with girls, where their hands are going everywhere!! (you looking for spare change, or something??). Hey…If I know you and that’s the way we dance Bachata Together (you know who you are :-))..then by all means, do your thing!!…but If it don’t know you…then it kinda feels like being groped whilst on the subway.
….That’s my Two cents Worth 🙂
Lee
xx
Nice article! Some pointers are speaking for itself (SBS), others are recognizable, but have been fading the last months, so I definitely will take with me next time I’m on the floor!!!
You know this is really a very stupid question, cause all all these rules apply to any type of dance dance, for someone to ask this question is not very smart. Lets talk about rule #4, none of you really seem to be listening to the music or going with the music. Juan you are always out of tune you seem to be going one way and the music another way, but is not only you bro. And you forgot the most inportand rule learn to dance in your own space in a crowed dance floor.
Do you think you are inventing something new here by publising this article? maybe you have nothing better to write about, any way how are you? long time dont see.
Gran artículo Juan Ruiz, recopilando algunas de las reglas básicas a la hora de bailar (de hecho, prácticamente, cualquier ritmo). Gracias por tu dedicación y entusiasmo en el mundo de la bachata. aquí en Sinaloa México, algunos amigos nos basamos mucho en tus videos para aprender, pues no es una región con tradición en la bachata.
Para Carlos Rufino:a veces el silencio es nuestro mejor aliado y mas cuando la opinión es con mala fe
Bueno Angel hay un dicho, el silencio en nuestro pero enemigo porque si no pides no come, y si no hablas otros hablaran por ti, y si no dices lo que sientes nadie te apreciaras, y finalmente si no hablas te apesta la boca mas.
En los estados unidos podemos dar nuetras opiniones no si donde tu eres es asi, ademas my respuesta esta en lo sierto, etiqueta de bachata? por favor todo lo mensionado es universal si es nuevo para ti pues has llegado trade al la fiesta. L bachata de juan no es mas que una mala copia de nuestro lindo baile y yo como dominicano tengo todo el derecho de opinar, hablo lo que se asi tu deves de hacer lo mismo.
Que no te apeste la boca mucho, Carlos, porque tus opiniones son que son malas!
Este articulo lo escribí porque estudiantes me han preguntado acerca de “how close”, como bailar, la coneccion con la pareja y cosas mas. Puede que sea algo que para muchos se lo toma de contado, pero no todos lo saben, así que siempre toca recordarlos
@Angel, gracia por tu apoyo y tu amor por la Bachata! Sigue adelante
Carlos, where do you get off with your elitist attitude stating that “for someone to ask this question is not very smart”. I think this is a perfectly relevant question for people that are new to dance and still finding their way on the dancefloor.
There is a difference between providing constructive criticism and just being venomous with your words. Appreciate the difference that this has in getting your message across and the impression it gives of you.
Wow, juan if people have to ask how close they should dance you will have them as a client for ever they need to be milk. You know there is more money to meke with these people you should be offering advices on relationships. They can ask you when they should hold hands, kiss ect. Are people that ignorant is Australia?
Michael, giving constructive does not work ok specially if you are thousands of mile ago, and people will do whaever the hell they want. And i don’t go with the flow
with those people that. Are degrating my dance.
Carlos, you are the BIGGEST IGNORANT in the world! for real! I don’t want to waste my time replying to your non-sense and ignorant comments. I would like to respond reasonably to you, but I know that you knowledge is very limited, so I’m afraid I’ll be wasting my time AGAIN (I know I done so before by getting engaged on other conversations with you).
As instructors (you say you are one, but I DOUBT you are, and if you are, I DOUBT you are a good one), you have to teach, no only the steps, but the dance etiquette, music and history… AND DON’T TELL ME THERE IS ONLY ONE STYLE OF BACHATA (I don’t want to waste my time again!) AND ONE STYLE OF BACHATA MUSIC (I have gone back and forts with you, so I won’t engaged in that conversation again – waste of time with you)
“your dance” – well, Carlos, lots of dominicans have embraced the new variations of Bachata – they are even creating documentaries on it. It’s a shame that you represent the Dominicans
You know what is the problem with you all that you are not really reading what I’ve been writing I am not arguing about the different variation of bachata and I am up for progress my argument is about those variations not having the rhythm that make the dance. By adding all these different elements and not keeping the essence is not really bachata. I seem you videos and at times is beautiful and you are right on the spot with the rhythm and flow but that is just for one second but them after that nothing but steps with bachata playing in the background. Of course they are going to make documentations because people are just going with the flow specially those that some how make a living in this industry. No I am not an instructor I am putting a class together here in Yew York soon and maybe the few that want to dance different will come. And for your information a notice that since last year bachata is leaning towards what you all call “DOMINICAN’S STYLE” so get on the wagon and don’t be left behind.
OMFG Rule #1 … UMMMMMMMM are you for real?!?!?! “Don’t get too close because her boyfriend might get jealous”? Heavens, what era did you crawl from!?!? I’d suggest sitting down, taking a long slow breath and having a think about how you relate to women (or people in general perhaps?).
When you are engaging someone the only criteria for how close to get to them are:
a) how close you want to get to them
b) how close they want to get to you
Anyone else’s idea about what should be going on between the two of you are of little or arguably zero relevance here.
Working out b) – how close she wants to get with you – is just part of the “dance” – energetically, physically, all aspects of the communication. You should be open and want to get an understanding of how close she wants to get, and respect her boundaries. Sure, play around with it, that’s part of the fun – but the main rule, I believe, should be play, communicate, listen, don’t try to force. Whether or not she has a boyfriend, and what he wants, are IRRELEVANT (if she is in fact in a relationship, it’s entirely between her and her partner what their mutual agreement is about intimacy with others – and its up to her to decide whether she wants to assert those boundaries. Whether or not she respects the agreement with her partner is solely their business and NONE OF YOURS. Your only job is to respect her, your dancing partner. You have no business trying to influence her relationship with her boyfriend/husband/anyone else in her life).
Po i agree with juan on Rule #1, to begin with me aor my wife will in most cases not dance with anyone else and if we do we keep our distance just out of respect maybe you live where there is no respect at all, if you come to washington heigh and try to dance with someone girlfriend so close you might find yourself beat up or even kill. I i let my wife danc with someone and i see he gets close he will find himself on the floor and then in the hospital and I mean not even touch bellies ok.
Hi Carlos …. It sounds like you may have missed my point. I’d agree I didn’t lay it out as clearly as I could have, but the elements are all there and it’s a pretty fundamental point about relating, respect, communicating, play, and boundaries (which is pretty much what dancing is about for me – well, and also hugely about experiencing joy through rhythms and music).
Gosh, your neighbourhood sounds pretty difficult and unpleasant to live in. Peace and good luck with that.
Only Singles should dance close with multiple partners.
When a commited couple dance bachata with orther partners that is call inmoral, some call it dry sex really? who you trying to fool?