Dance etiquette - tipsy (dance ) partners

[johnthehappyguy]

Just back from the Edinburgh party, and it was terrific.

A fantastic night, thanks everyone for all the dances, and Scot too - great music.

I was asked to dance by a particular woman, and once I accepted and we were on the dance floor, she told me - "I have had lots of red wine so be gentle with me"

Things went downhill from there, I diplomatically mentioned to her that it was not a good idea to drink and dance, however it fell on deaf ears.

It was terrible, simple basic beginners moves that i usually have no problem leading, and she was all over the place.

I was not brave enough to not dance with her, The whole dance was terrible though, as she staggered about, even although I was going slowly and dancing only on every 2nd or even 4th beat. I was concerned for her safety, and that of the other dancers on the crowded floor.

At the end of the dance I walked her over to her table, and then deposited her there.

Does anyone have any ideas for how to deal with a tipsy (dance) partner ?

johnthehappyguy

[ChrisA]

Does anyone have any ideas for how to deal with a tipsy (dance) partner ?

Don't lead any spins.

(Thanks, all those that danced with me at Camber on the Friday night. I'd had a hell of a week, in my defence )

[Bangers & Mash]

Just back from the Edinburgh party, and it was terrific.

A fantastic night, thanks everyone for all the dances, and Scot too - great music.

I was asked to dance by a particular woman, and once I accepted and we were on the dance floor, she told me - "I have had lots of red wine so be gentle with me"

Yes, I was asked to dance with her as well and it was a nightmare

I got the impression that the red wine had been for dutch courage but it certainly dulled her senses and ruined the dance. I decided to do all two handed moves with her and just pray for the end of the track

Perhaps we should start carrying a pocket brethalyser and getting the girls to blow into it before dancing

Alternatively, I think the line "this track might be a bit fast if you've been drinking. How about you catch me for a slower one" would help - then just avoid her

(certainly, that is what I will do next time)

[philsmove]

A few years ago, a very good lady dancer arrived at my party already the worse for wear
By 3 am, and many drinks later she asked me to dance
I was a little hesitant, as we do not normally dance well together
The alcohol had defiantly not affected her ability to dance
She proceeded to teach me some new and very dramatic drops and we had a fabulous time
(A week later she had completely forgotten the entire evening and we have not danced together since

[Graham]

It depends on how mischievous I'm feeling. If she's a bit tipsy but a good dancer then it can be fun (for me) to throw in a few spins, sudden changes of direction, etc. Of course, this line of action carries some risk......

If they're tipsy and struggling to keep up I just grin and bear it until the end of the track.

[jivecat]

At the end of the dance I walked her over to her table, and then deposited her there.

johnthehappyguy

This is better than how a friend of mine was treated. After having a few red wines too many she was abandoned in the middle of the dance floor by a guy who had clearly got fed up with her. I don't think anyone should have to dance with a drunk partner, but it would have been thoughtful to have kindly but firmly escorted her back to her seat. Maybe then I wouldn't have missed the cabaret mopping up the tears.

I did dance once with a guy who I thought was drunk, but on making enquiries I was told, "Oh *****, he always dances like that."

[drathzel]

I find it very off putting to dance with a man who is tipsy/drunk!!! Because the man has to be (questionably) level headed because he is leading if he is not leading well then it can be a very long and very awkward dance!

[Cornish Pixie]

Things went downhill from there, I diplomatically mentioned to her that it was not a good idea to drink and dance,

Reminds me of a favourite phrase of mine "Don't drink and jive!"

[MartinHarper]

From elsewhere:

I find that I can take at least 3 x half lagers and my dance is unaffected.

Anyone else here who will drink (in moderation) and jive? And how much?

Personally, I've just started to think about having a single bottle of beer, but even that's fairly rare for me.

[under par]

From elsewhere:



Anyone else here who will drink (in moderation) and jive? And how much?

Personally, I've just started to think about having a single bottle of beer, but even that's fairly rare for me.

Don,t drink any alcohol on class nights, but I will have a pint of lager on Friday nights at Viktors.
(this is probably because we usually sit near the bar!)

I will only drink more than a pint a night at weekenders where I may have 3 or 4 pints a night from 2200 to finish interspersed with gallons of water.

[Lynn]

I will only drink more than a pint a night at weekenders where I may have 3 or 4 pints a night from 2200 to finish interspersed with gallons of water.

And as 'finish' can be 6am... that's over an 8 hour period.

If a man has had a few drinks but is still dancing OK, then no problem, but if he is uncordinated its not so nice, it can even be dangerous as he is more likely to steer you into another dancer.

[drathzel]

And as 'finish' can be 6am... that's over an 8 hour period.

If a man has had a few drinks but is still dancing OK, then no problem, but if he is uncordinated its not so nice, it can even be dangerous as he is more likely to steer you into another dancer.

Tell me about it, there has been a few near misses that i have seen and i am telling you something i stay well clear of anyone who is going to put me into a situation that i may get hurt in!!!

[Trish]

I tend to find that some men change their lead when they've had a few beers. One man that I usually enjoy dancing with in particular leads in a much more forceful (and less thoughtful) way when drunk - and therefore, even though he is still a good dancer, in some ways it's a less enjoyable experience. He's much more flirty though, which can be fun! I have occasionally danced with guys in freestyles who are drunk to the point of falling about and that is not an enjoyable experience.

I have also danced with tipsy women who can't spin straight or follow your lead, so I sympathise with the guys that don't enjoy this!

Personally I can't spin and feel out of control if I have more than one drink, so I almost invariably stay stone cold sober!

[Rhythm King]

I don't drink and jive mid-week, because I'm nearly always driving. I will have a limited amount to drink on a weekender, during the evenings. It depends how the night is going though. I have found that 2 drinks is about my safe limit, as after 3, my co-ordination suffers. If it's a long night, I may have another alcoholic drink after 2-3 hours. I have noticed that I am somewhat less inhibited, particularly in Lindy, after a couple of drinnksh but jus go to peeshes after 3 hic Do you know you're my absolute favourite dance partner. I really like you, you know that don't you

I think I'll go and sit down now, all this spinning's making me dizzy...

[Rhythm King]

Sorry about that I had a typo and don't know what came over me

R-K

[DianaS]

There is one guy who drinks beer and it really smells on his breath. I won't dance with him if he's drank any - he seems well happy with that!

[Wes]

It can be so disappointing to ask a lady to dance, she accepts, and THEN you find out she's had a FEW too many, as you say, all you can do is to smile sweetly (avoiding grimacing) and just pray for the end of the track, but isn't it amazing how that 3 minute track then seems to be hours long!!! The lady is generally having a hoot of a time, totally oblivious to any timing, style or considerations of anyone else on the floor, she is totally away with the fairies believing that she is NOW the dancing QUEEN or some kind of sultry Mata Hari whilst you are clutching both her hands trying to keep her steady/upright and not hurting herself, you, anyone around you!! ..... It's 'orrible. but what can you do except 'grin and bear it' !!!!!! Less enjoyable!!!..its a nightmare!

[johnthehappyguy]

It can be so disappointing to ask a lady to dance, she accepts, and THEN you find out she's had a FEW too many, as you say, all you can do is to smile sweetly (avoiding grimacing) and just pray for the end of the track, but isn't it amazing how that 3 minute track then seems to be hours long!!! The lady is generally having a hoot of a time, totally oblivious to any timing, style or considerations of anyone else on the floor, she is totally away with the fairies believing that she is NOW the dancing QUEEN or some kind of sultry Mata Hari whilst you are clutching both her hands trying to keep her steady/upright and not hurting herself, you, anyone around you!! ..... It's 'orrible. but what can you do except 'grin and bear it' !!!!!! Less enjoyable!!!..its a nightmare!

johnthehappyguy