Tango Etiquette

 

The Codes of Conduct in Tango – aka “codigo’s”

Traditional codes of conduct in social tango are extensive. As you can imagine, in the wild west environment of immigrants in South America.  Maintaining social mores and civil behavior required having a strict code of conduct for milongas.

The best website to learn the full extent of these codigos is http://SeimpreMilonguero.com (forever Milonguero)

Please do visit and read all pages about the codes HERE

Here is a sampling of what you will find there:

Behavior on the dance floor

  • Talking at the start of a song is acceptable. Talking while dancing is not. Focus on the dance and the music, not talking.
  • Take time to connect with the music and your partner before you start dancing. Do not rush into the dance right at the start of the music.
  • The leader will start the embrace when he is ready to begin the dance. Followers should wait for this.
  • Do not dance during a cortina. Everyone should clear the floor during cortinas. Do not enter the dance floor until the cortina has ended.
  • When you agree to dance with someone you agree to dance the entire tanda. No one changes partners in the middle of a tanda. However, no one should subject themselves to a terrible experience. If you wish to stop dancing with someone, do so by thanking them at the end of the song and walking back to your seat. Saying “Thank you” before a tanda is over is understood as “I no longer want to dance with you.”
  • Good leaders dance at the level of the follower they are dancing with. It is rude to dance above her level to impress her, show off to others, or boost one’s ego.
  • Teaching on the dance floor is extremely rude and not allowed. It disrupts other dancers and is disrespectful to your partner. Even a well-intended comment can ruin your partner’s evening. If you feel a need to instruct, save it for a practica, and only give advice when you are asked for it.
  • Never ask for advice, corrections, or teaching on the dance floor from anyone. Milongas are never a place for instruction.
  • No one likes being kicked, run into, hit, or stepped on. Milongas are supposed to be safe places where people can dance freely and comfortably. Save the high boleos, hard-hitting ganchos, jumps, leg sweeps and leg extensions for performances.
  • If a collision occurs, be polite and friendly. Make eye contact and acknowledge the collision even if it was not your fault. If it was clearly your fault, apologize at the end of the song.

 

Who asks whom for a dance?
In Buenos Aires it’s the men who ask, and they don’t ask verbally, you must watch carefully for the cabaceo (eye contact and/or gesture indicating you have been selected).  The gesture is usually a smile and a nod toward the dance floor.  If you accept, smile and or nod and they will then come to where you are to escort you to the dance floor.

Things are much more casual here in the U.S., anyone can ask anyone to dance, but you will notice that the more experienced dancers will follow the custom of using the cabaceo so be watchful for your invitation!

One nice thing about the cabaceo is that there is no public display if the invitation is not accepted.  If you don’t wish to accept you don’t smile or make eye contact, no harm, no foul.