Etiquette for the Tango Argentino
- Argentine tango protocol requires dancers to dance in line in a counter-clockwise rotation around the dance floor. Faster dancers stay in the outside lanes. Couples should stay in their lanes and people should not walk across the dance floor. No one should stand on the dance floor and talk. Conversation in a whole should be kept to a minimum while dancing, with chatting only permissible in between songs.
- The band or DJ plays groups of three to five songs, which make up a "tanda." It is customary for a couple to dance for the whole tanda. If, for some reason, one dancer needs to leave the floor before the tanda is over, he should excuse himself politely. Between songs, couples should face the band and clap. When the tanda is done, different music will play for a few minutes, signifying the tanda is over. The leader should thank the follower for the dance, and she should thank him back. He then leads her back to the spot where he asked her to dance. If the couple wishes to stay on the dance floor for the next tanda, they can enjoy a conversation while they wait for the tango music to start.
- Both leader or follower can ask for a dance. He can choose to walk up to her and ask her to dance and she can accept if she chooses. She does not have to accept if she doesn't want to, but if she declines, she should do so politely. If she accepts, he takes her hand and leads her onto the dance floor. Commonly, the invitation is non-verbal. Called a "cabaceo," the man invites the woman by making eye contact with her and nodding. They then meet on the edge of the dance floor.
- When entering the dance floor, dancers have the right of way. The leader uses eye contact to ask to be let into the lane. Leaders should not instruct their partners in any dance moves during the milonga. This party is for fun, not for instruction. Partners can practice dancing at a different party that is to be used for instruction and practice, an event called the "practica."