Community Resources
Social Dancing 101
A very short guide to social tango etiquette: how to enter the floor, ask for a dance, move with the ronda, and keep the milonga comfortable for everyone.
01
Customs & Vocabulary to Know
- Ronda
- The counter-clockwise flow of couples around the dance floor. Respected and enforced worldwide
- Tanda
- A set of 3-4 songs of the same orchestra, singer, mood or era. It is highly recommended to dance it with the same partner
- Cabeceo
- A respectful invitation made with eye contact and a small nod or gesture. Works most of the time :) In prácticas and less formal events can be taken less seriously
- Cortina
- A short fragment of non-Tango music in between tandas. Used by dancers to leave the floor and take a break before the next tanda.
02
Before You Dance
Arrive ready before you step onto the floor.
Recommended
- ✓Keep bags, coats, drinks, and chairs off the dance floor.
- ✓Enter from a corner or open space and make sure you are seen by the couple you are entering in front of.
- ✓Good hygiene speaks very highly of you.
Please Avoid
- Blocking people entering and leaving the dance floor.
- Leave drinks too close to the dance floor.
- Strong scents.
03
Asking Someone to Dance
Invitations should be clear, kind, and easy to accept or decline.
Recommended
- ✓Invite with eye contact, then a small nod or gesture.
- ✓No eye contact means no. Let no mean no.
Please Avoid
- Avoid repeated asks or too much pressure.
- Asking for explanations.
04
During the Tanda
The tanda works best when each couple keeps the ronda moving safely.
Recommended
- ✓Circulate counter-clockwise and in your lane.
- ✓If you see space in front of you, take it. Don't be the one starting a traffic jam
- ✓Use small steps in heavy traffic.
- ✓Keep ganchos and boleos low unless there is space.
- ✓Treat accidents as if they were your fault, even if they weren't.
Please Avoid
- Crowding the couple ahead.
- Zig-zagging between lanes.
- Big movements in crowded spaces.
