Community Standards & Dance Etiquette

At Inspire Mambo, we want everyone to feel welcome, comfortable and able to enjoy learning and social dancing.

These standards apply to our students, teachers, assistants, guests and anyone attending an Inspire Mambo class, practice session, social event or community group.

Respect everyone

Treat other dancers, teachers, venue staff and visitors with courtesy and consideration.

Discrimination, bullying, intimidation, harassment and deliberately offensive behaviour are not acceptable.

Everyone should be treated respectfully regardless of their background, identity, orientation, dance experience or ability.

Invitations and consent

Anyone may ask someone to dance, and anyone may decline or end a dance without needing to provide a reason.

A declined invitation should be accepted politely and without pressure, argument or repeated requests.

Partner dancing involves appropriate physical contact, but personal boundaries must always be respected. If someone appears uncomfortable or asks for a change in position, hold or distance, respond immediately and respectfully.

A person agreeing to one dance does not imply agreement to another dance, private contact or any interaction outside the class or event.

During classes

Students may be asked to rotate partners because this helps everyone learn and develop. Please follow the teacher’s instructions and treat each partner patiently and respectfully.

If you would prefer not to rotate or need an adaptation, speak privately with the teacher.

Avoid correcting or teaching other students unless the teacher has asked you to assist. Questions about technique should normally be directed to the instructor.

Dance-floor safety

Dance with awareness of the people and space around you.

Please:

• Keep movements appropriate for the available space
• Avoid lifts, drops, dips or potentially dangerous movements unless they are being taught in a suitable supervised setting
• Adapt your dancing to your partner’s experience and ability
• Avoid using excessive force
• Apologise if you accidentally collide with or step on someone
• Tell the teacher if a movement causes discomfort or feels unsafe

Teachers may stop or adapt movements where necessary to protect participants.

Personal hygiene

Partner dancing takes place at close range, so reasonable personal hygiene helps make the experience comfortable for everyone.

Clean clothing, deodorant and fresh breath are appreciated. Bringing a spare top or small towel may be helpful during longer or warmer sessions.

Please avoid attending when you have a contagious illness that could reasonably put others at risk.

Social dancing

Social dancing is an opportunity to practise, enjoy the music and connect with other dancers.

Please avoid:

• Unsolicited criticism or instruction
• Pressuring someone to dance closely
• Persistently asking the same person to dance after they have declined
• Behaviour that is sexual, aggressive or deliberately uncomfortable
• Dancing while significantly impaired by alcohol or other substances

Teachers and organisers may intervene where dancing appears unsafe or inappropriate.

Community groups and private contact

Inspire Mambo community groups are intended for relevant class information, events and positive community interaction.

Do not:

• Share another person’s contact information, images or private messages without permission
• Use a group to send spam or unrelated commercial promotions
• Send offensive or inappropriate content
• Persistently contact another member after they have asked you to stop
• Use access to an Inspire Mambo group to harass or pressure another person

Friendly and respectful interaction between community members is welcome. However, participation in a class or group should not be treated as automatic permission for unwanted private contact.

Photographs and recording

Please do not take or publish identifiable photographs or recordings of another attendee without considering their privacy and obtaining permission where appropriate.

Inspire Mambo may occasionally take photographs or recordings during classes or events. We will explain when organised filming is taking place, and attendees may speak to us if they do not wish to appear in identifiable promotional content.

Raising a concern

If someone’s behaviour makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you can:

• End the dance or interaction
• Move away from the situation
• Speak privately to the teacher or organiser
• Email hello@inspiremambo.co.uk

You do not need to confront another person directly before raising a concern.

We will listen, take concerns seriously and respond as fairly and sensitively as reasonably possible. Information will be handled discreetly, although complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where action is needed to protect someone or comply with the law.

How we may respond

Depending on the circumstances, Inspire Mambo may:

• Explain the expected standard of behaviour
• Give an informal or formal warning
• Ask someone to stop particular conduct
• Remove someone from a class, event or community group
• Refuse future attendance
• Contact the venue, emergency services or relevant authorities where a serious incident requires it

Our response will depend on the nature, seriousness and pattern of the behaviour. Our priority is maintaining a respectful and enjoyable environment for the community.

A shared responsibility

Most people attend Inspire Mambo to learn, enjoy the music and meet others in a friendly environment.

A little awareness, patience and respect from everyone helps create the kind of dance community we all want to be part of.