When we were introduced to BASIC level square dancing, we were presented with a list of the "10 Basic Rules of Square Dancing Etiquette" which included items like "Always use a deodorant" and "Don't drink before attending a dance."

After many years of dancing, we have additional items to add to the list, based on observations of behavior that is questionable.

The additions to the lists are:

1. If you are dancing where "computer squares" are not being used, don't sit on the floor between tips to hold your space.

2. Don't form a square just anywhere on the floor. Find an open space on the floor that is large enough to hold your square. It is not unusual to see people squeeze a square in front of the caller where there is not adequate space. This crowds everyone.

3. Don't bring a whole made-up square onto the dance floor so that you can dance with your friends. At a recent festival which used computer squares, a square was made up in another room. When the calling started, the whole square marched onto the dance floor. Come on, guys, fair is fair.

4. Most squares have 8 people in them. At a recent dance, some squares had 12 people in them with two people dancing as one member of a couple. This square required more floor space than a normal square. With a slightly crowded floor, this created a crowding problem for all the adjacent squares.

   Oh yes, the square was a very noisy square creating hearing problems for those in adjacent squares.

5. Some dancers add some annoying and possibly hazardous physical manifestations to their dancing. This includes kicking and spinning during Grand Right and Left, loud thumps on the floor, and shouts and other extraneous verbal expressions during call execution.

   There is nothing wrong with exuberance during dancing but not to the point where it is distracting and dangerous. When the enjoyment of the few interferes with the enjoyment of other dancers, it should be stopped.

6. Don't bring your friends to a dance or have them in a star tip if they haven't finished the lessons or otherwise don't know the level. It is not fair to the other dancers.

7. If the dance is being done on computers, don't keep your square(s) off the computer so that you may dance just with each other. This is extremely rude and sends the message to the other dancers that you think you are better dancers than they are and that you don't want to dance with them. If you think that you don't dance well enough and might embarrass yourselves if you have to dance with others, then maybe you don't dance well enough to be at that dance anyway. If this is the case and the dance has a waiting list, then perhaps you have prevented someone from attending who can dance the material.

8. Don't cheat or short cut. It is discourteous and annoying to the other dancers and the caller.

9. Let's keep the squares quiet. Extraneous speaking during the dancing distracts from the calling. Many people recite the calls out loud as they are dancing. This is distracting to the other dancers and if you are reciting your part of the call that is not always what someone else is doing. If you are going to recite your part of the call, please mumble.
   
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