"GET YOUR HAND OUT MY POCKET!": Guide to Ballroom Etiquette

A Ball is filled with anxiety and sometimes emotions will jolt you to do things that you ordinarily wouldn't based on your confidence of your talent. Much like past Balls, opponents were graceful in terms of addressing themselves, their opponents, the judges and the other houses. Much like sports, coaches strive to maintain a level of maturity during a game. Basketball players who are not participating must arrive to the court in a suit to display a level of class. They must encourage those playing and cheer for them. They are fined for ating out of character based on the game. All that encompasses good sportsmanship. Good Sportmanship is defined as "Conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in competition, especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit, and grace in losing." Good sportsmanship is a lacking necessity in the ballroom lately so here is my guide of maintaining a sense of balance when emotions and nerves are running high.

• Keep your comments about someone else's effect or walk to yourself.
  
• When your category is called, line up at the back of the runway and patiently wait for your turn to walk.
  
• Thank the judges for giving you tens OR chopping you as you exit the runway.
  
• DO NOT TOUCH your opponent in battle zone FOR ANY REASON!
  
• If shade is called for in the category, remember that its nothing personal once you get off the runway.
  
• Whether or not you win or lose the battle, hug or shake hands with your opponent.
  
• DO NOT ARGUE with judges about their vote. It is their personal opinion and should it be shade, the host or presenter should rectify the situation.
  
• If you were chopped, ask the judge who chopped you why it was given. Take heed to their reason and learn from it for next time.
  
• Do not bad mouth an entire house based on the deeds of one person.
  
• Do not take personal offense to the decision and plot on the person or house for the next ball.
  
• Lastly, NO FIGHTING! If you are that upset that you would need to fight over a $6 trophy, the ballscene is NOT FOR YOU!
  
• If you are spectating, even at your table these rules apply.
  

Watch this video of Danielle Ninja walking Women's Performance at Latex Ball 2006. Notice that she gives her opponent space to vogue freely. Notice that they hug after the battle is over and notice how Danielle graciously thanks the judges for her winning votes and how her opponent exits the stage without incident. If all Balls were like this, what a masterful display we would bring to the youth coming up after us.

xoxo
Roxi