Lindy Maine Code of Conduct
Lindy Maine is dedicated to providing a safe dance experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, dance skill level, or dance role. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Event participants violating these rules may be expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers or the class instructors.
Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to:
- Offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, dance skill level, or dance role
- Unwelcome sexual attention or inappropriate physical contact
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Sustained disruption of events
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the event/class instructors and organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, not limited to but including:
- Issuing a verbal and/or written warning to the offender
- A temporary or permanent expulsion from Lindy Maine classes and events without a refund
- Logging the incident in a written report
- Sharing that we have issued an expulsion to other dance organizations in Maine
- Contacting local law enforcement if necessary
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please talk to an event organizer or instructor, email [email protected] or call 201-704-3895 (Jen's number). Organizers and instructors will be happy to work with participants to find a solution.
Swing Dance Etiquette
ON ASKING SOMEONE TO DANCE
Ask someone to dance with your words. No silent hand gestures, grabbing, or dragging. "Would you like to dance?" will always do the trick.
Anyone can ask anyone to dance. If you find you're not being asked often enough, take initiative and do the asking.
When you attend dances or practice sessions, we encourage each dancer to challenge themselves to ask A) one person to dance who is of a different skill level than themselves, B) one person of a different age, and C) one person who you've never danced with before.
While we encourage you all to dance with a variety of people you can say no to a dance at any time. Three examples:
A) You might say no to a dance because you are tired, the song is too fast or you're talking with a friend. In that case you could say, "I'm sorry, I'm feeling a little tired and I'm going to sit this one out." or "Not right now, thank you, but please find me again later!" or "Thanks, but I'd rather not right now. Can I find you later instead?"
B) If you don't want to dance with someone because they make you uncomfortable, feel free to simply say no. No explanation needed.
C) If you don't want to dance with someone because they make you uncomfortable and you'd like to share why they make you feel uncomfortable, good for you. Direct communication can solve a lot of problems.
ON LEARNING TOGETHER
Please don't offer unsolicited feedback in classes or at dances. If someone asks for feedback, great. But generally we find that folks giving unsolicited feedback aren't giving the most sound advice and could probably look inward for changes in their own dancing first.
ON BEING HUMAN
It's totally normal to get super sweaty when we dance! But if you tend to soak through your clothes it's best to bring an extra shirt or two to change into throughout the night.
Give yourself the ol' smell test before heading out to a dance. If you think you smell, someone else probably will too. "But I'm an earthy Mainer who doesn't use unnatural products!" you might protest. I hear ya, and in that case try to shower before you come out dancing and try some of the natural deodorant alternatives out there. Many are quite effective.
ON SAFETY
Choose moves wisely on crowded dance floors. It's the lead's primary responsibility to be sure their partner doesn't end up colliding with a person or object. It's the follow's responsibility to move their bodies through space in a controlled manner. If you do collide with someone, please offer up a quick apology, make sure everyone's okay, and move onward.
Save aerials and air steps for jams or performances. They don't belong on the social dance floor.
ON LIVE MUSIC
Clap for the band! They really love it. And we really love them.
HAVE FUN!