Code of Conduct
Swing dancing is a partner dance, so most of the time we’re dancing in contact with another person and sharing space with others on and around the dancefloor.
We’re incredibly lucky in the swing scene to have a very tolerant, friendly and respectful community, so whether you’re at a social or a classroom event you should always feel comfortable in the space. As teachers we try to convey this sense of respect at all times, through our actions and language to both our students and to each other.
We’re all human, so occasionally during a dance things might not go as planned and a limb might end up in the wrong place, or there may be a collision with another couple. If that happens apologise to your partner or others involved, take a moment to check they’re OK, and try not to make the same mistake again.
All of us at Bristol Swing Riot want to maintain a respectful space for everyone so if you ever feel uncomfortable or unhappy about something please do come and talk to us, no matter how small. We will take all concerns seriously and treat them in a fair and tactful manner.
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A number of Northern UK swing dance organisers set up this webpage a few years ago:
https://safetyinswingdance.com/ . It shows that across the UK we’re doing what we can to build respectful scenes and that people can hopefully think of these steps in all parts of their life. The Bristol Swing Riot STEPS Code of Conduct is below, and for more information and resources please see the main website.
Guidelines for Being Good People
The following ‘good people’ guidelines apply to EVERYONE attending our classes and events, including teachers, students and volunteers:
- We will be NICE to everyone and treat all people with respect. We will not harass anyone. We will not discriminate according to sex, gender expression or sexual orientation, nor race, religion, or nationality, or other. We will treat everyone equally, regardless of age, ability, physical appearance, lifestyle, dance experience or dance role.
- We will be INCLUSIVE and invite others to dance, and we will be gracious if turned down. We may say no without giving a reason, but we will be polite when doing so and if we promise to dance later on, we will honour that promise where possible.
- We will be RESPONSIBLE for our own physical safety and that of others nearby. We will practice safe floor-craft and say ‘sorry’ if we accidentally bump another person. We will not offer unsolicited advice or instruction, nor perform aerials on the social floor. If we consume alcohol we will do so responsibly, and if we are drunk enough to pose a risk to ourselves or others, we will leave the dance floor and retire to the bar.
- We will take CARE of our own personal hygiene, and bring towels, spare clothing and extra deodorant if necessary. We will be considerate when choosing our clothing, footwear, and accessories and not we will not wear anything that is potentially hazardous to ourselves or to others.
- We will be RESPECTFUL and acknowledge that the personal boundaries of others may not be the same as our own. We will be mindful of the appropriateness of language that some may find offensive. We will not touch anyone without consent and we will apologise immediately if we unintentionally touch a person’s private areas.
- We UNDERSTAND that following the above guidelines ensure a better experience for everyone and that participating in any kind of verbal, physical or sexual abuse will have consequences. This may include, but is not limited to, being asked to leave without refund and exclusion from future events.
- We, the organisers, PROMISE to treat any reports made, from dancers in our home scenes or elsewhere, with sensitivity and to keep all details as confidential as is possible (however, in the event of a police investigation, all information will become disclosable).
*We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed intimidating or inappropriate behaviour to tell an organiser.
At Bristol Swing Riot your suggested points of contact are Francesca Santilli (francesca(at)santilli.me.uk) or Sam Dobbie (samdobbie(at)gmail.com). If you prefer to talk in person or would prefer to speak to another member of staff, you are welcome to do so at any event throughout the year.
If you’d rather speak to someone outside of our immediate group, all of the people listed
here are ready to listen.
Safety People are available for discussion and reassurance, not just formal reports – please do tell us about your concerns, even small ones – we’re here for you!
Safety in Swing Dance organisers and teachers will happily provide support to anyone experiencing problematic behaviours in the Swing dance scene, not just our own dancers and students, see the entire
Safety in Swing Dance website for more details.
