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

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

Interesting the variety of dancers you have in the replies! I have said "no, but thank you" in the past. Sometimes I've waffled and said I already had a partner (even though I'm standing there with my hand in the air)...I'd call that a gentle hint.

But then again, I don't dance often enough anymore for it to happen much. The 'toxic dancers' I saw at the Phoenix flyin mostly already know I don't care to dance with them. Except that one woman with terrible body odor.