Dress code:
- dress code provided by the format of the ball: full-length evening dress for women; suit, tuxedo, tailcoat – for gentlemen;
- if you do not comply with the dress code, you will be denied the right to enter.
Invitation to the ball:
- accepting an invitation to a ball, a gentleman undertakes to dance;
- the ball, as a rule, is attended by couples, and the gentleman must show attention and concern for the woman he accompanies.
Arrival at the ball:
- it is desirable to arrive at the ball later than the beginning of the opening ceremony;
- if you are at the ball after it has started, wait for the end of the dance, approach the manager of the ball (he will introduce you to those present), join the other guests.
- if you arrive at the ball by car, the gentleman gets out of the car first, helps the lady out and offers her his hand;
- it is customary to greet other guests by bowing. Before the start of the ball and during breaks, you can get to know or introduce your acquaintances to other guests, start conversations on social topics.
Dance etiquette:
- An invitation to dance begins with a bow from the inviting person. The response to the invitation is also accompanied by a bow. If a gentleman approaches a woman, makes a small bow, inviting her – the woman, in turn, can accept the invitation or reject it, referring to the fact that she has already been invited by another gentleman or that she has decided to rest during this dance.
- It is not recommended to give consent to the dance to several partners, to leave the hall before the start of the dance.
- After the invitation, the gentleman gives the woman his right hand and leads her to the dance area, observing all the rules of etiquette.
- At the end of the dance, the gentleman should thank the lady and escort her to the place where he invited her or to any other place – at the request of the lady.
- During the dance, couples must be positioned and move along the line of the dance (in a counterclockwise circle).
- Collisions with other couples should be avoided and try not to touch the stationary structures and equipment of the hall.
- It is not recommended to leave the dance before its end, unless there is a good reason to do so.
- During the dance, it is inappropriate to move too far apart or demonstratively approach each other.
- Ball participants need to monitor their posture and hand position.
- It is necessary to listen to the wishes, suggestions and explanations of the dance master and the organizer of the ball.
Elements of social etiquette necessary for participation in the ball
1. The clothes of the participants of the ball should be elegant: ladies in evening dresses, gentlemen in suits.
2. It is necessary to be polite to all guests. Courtesy, gallantry, politeness are welcome at the ball.
3. When greetings are exchanged, gentlemen first greet women with a bow, then women, after bowing, can extend their hand for a kiss.
4. The ball is accompanied by a certain manner of conversation. Loud, sharp conversation, use of rude words is unacceptable. Gentlemen are advised to compliment women.
5. At the ball, it is important not only to dance beautifully, but also to walk and stand gracefully. Do not lean against walls and columns. Cavaliers should not keep their hands in their pockets.
6. When entering the ballroom, turn off mobile phones and remove headphones.
A few clarifications
A cavalier who invites a lady to a dance approaches her and, bowing gracefully, makes an invitation in the most polite and delicate way: “Let me have the pleasure of inviting you to a dance.” If the invited lady is well known to you, then simply: “Don’t deny me the pleasure of dancing with you.”
When a gentleman invites a woman, she bows her head as a sign of agreement, saying: “with pleasure”, “good”, or: “I’m sorry, I’m already invited”.
When inviting, you should look the lady in the eyes, then she will definitely understand that you are addressing her. But if your bow was not accepted by the one you wanted to invite, in no case do not show your disappointment and even more so do not say: “I didn’t want to invite you”; follow the rules of decency and learn to get out of an awkward situation with humor.
In the dance, the woman is led by her partner, and all mistakes must be borne by her; if a couple accidentally touches another couple, the man apologizes – he is the host.
At the ball, one should behave modestly, dance gracefully and strictly observe propriety; it is desirable to pay attention to all guests both during conversation and dancing, without giving preference to one person.