Square Dance Etiquette Question

[bjarvis]

A relatively new square dancer asked me the following question tonight:
How do you politely deal with someone who wishes to be your dance partner but makes you exceedingly uncomfortable?

I suggested pre-emptively ensuring you have a partner already arranged for the upcoming tip but this ducks the issue rather than dealing with it. Likewise choosing to sit out a tip rather than dance with the objectionable party is inadequate: one shouldn't have to sacrifice one's own participation in an event just because of one individual.

Thoughts?

Comments

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

Now that you mention it, I can think of one person I've encountered over the years who was like your "Mass Murderer." He was unfailingly polite and an adequate dancer, but there was something about him that set off alarm bells in my head. Loudly. If I couldn't avoid dancing with him, I always felt compelled to go wash my hands immediately after.

If he was at an event, I always lined up a partner in advance to avoid him. Of course, that didn't guarantee he wouldn't be my corner, but it was the best I could do.

[trawnapanda.livejournal.com]

If [undesired person] was at an event, I always lined up a partner in advance to avoid him. Of course, that didn't guarantee he wouldn't be my corner, but it was the best I could do.

You see? you DO know what the polite thing to do is.