Victorian Dance Etiquette

Dance Etiquette
Please follow the Victorian social customs when dancing:

• It is expected a gentleman will dance the Grand March, the first waltz and the last waltz with his lady.

• It is expected all dancers will participate in some dances with other partners.

• A lady must be escorted to and from the dance floor by her dance partner.

• A gentleman will never approach a lady to whom he has not been properly introduced.

• A gentlemen may ask a lady’s escort or any male member of her family for an introduction.

• Any such request for an introduction may be refused.

• A lady may capture a gentleman’s eye through discrete, ladylike gestures with her fan.

• A lady will never engage herself with a gentleman to whom she has not been properly introduced.

• A lady should honor commitments made to gentlemen on the dance card.

• A lady may refuse a gentleman’s request for any dance.

• A gentleman should accept such refusal gracefully.

• Gentlemen should remove their sabers and spurs prior to the first waltz.

• A gentleman should refrain from smoking, spitting, fighting, or using colorful language on the dance floor or any other location in the presence of ladies.