1. Men vs. Women: In this modern day and age, is it as acceptable for women to ask men to dance as it is the other way around?
Or, since men are usually the leaders, and females are the followers, should dancers be mirroring that tradition when it comes to asking someone to dance? There are other factors to consider as well, such as: opinions on chivalry; cultural background of dancer; and gender to gender ratio. For example, most recently, Cadence Dance Academy proudly represented in Hong Kong, and it was very clear that the overwhelming female to male ratio made it nearly impossible for women NOT to ask men to dance.
2. If you tell someone that you are too tired to dance, are you obligated to sit that song out, or can you go ahead and dance with someone else if you want to?
According to our video poll, people unanimously agreed that it was rude to dance with someone else. It's important however to keep in mind that social dancing is supposed to be about the dancing, not about the people or egos. Someone may have a good reason to say "no" to a person, and have just as good a reason to be dancing with someone else. Perhaps someone being "tired" is a lie; perhaps it's the truth. And perhaps if you said "no", it's polite to sit the song out; perhaps it's juvenile to have to...In any case, why waste time pondering when you could be dancing!
3. When you see a man and woman standing together who could possibly be a couple in a relationship, should you ask permission from the partner of the person you're asking to dance?
Now, not every two people standing together can be assumed to be a couple. That said, are dancers really expected to watch their interaction beforehand?...this could make for a lengthy process. There are a number of different ways you can look at the "asking of permission". Some might see it as polite, chivalrous, and a general sign of good manners. Others might see it as encouraging possessiveness - after all, can't we all answer for ourselves.
4. When you turn someone down to dance without a specific reason, is it ok for them to ask you to dance again, or is the onus on you to now ask them to dance?
Some people say they shouldn't feel obligated to give specific explanations and a "no thanks" should do. However, this may invite the asker to ask again...and again....and again. Perhaps there's an unspoken rule for the rejected asker to take a hint, and wait to be asked instead of asking again. To avoid this problem, the one turning down the dance can opt to risk bruising an ego and just tell the truth: "it's you, not me".
When social dancing, think like you're driving: pay attention and read the signs!
