Every Gentlemen Host® should possess the understanding and skills described below as a necessary minimum:

• Be able to discern the musical beats to a piece of dance music.

• Understand the beats-per-measure in a piece of music, such as 4/4 and 3/4 time so that rhythms can be understood.

• Be able to dance to the music on time and on the beat.

• Be able to correctly hold his dance partner relative to body position and placement of head, arms, hands and feet.

• Understand the basic fundamentals in leading his partner.

• Distinguish and know the standard dances: Fox Trot, Swing, Waltz, Rumba, and Cha-Cha.

• Using the standard dances listed above, be able to dance a minimum of 5 Bronze (basic) Level steps in American-Social Style. (Any variations of each dance step, or the ability to dance International Style are optional).

• Understand and practice the traditional "line of dance" rule of movement on the dance floor:

  • Outside lanes move counter-clockwise for faster dances like Fox Trot, Waltz, etc.

  • Center dance floor is for Swing, Slow dancing, Free style, Line dances.

  • Rumba, Cha-cha dance in your own small area.
     

• Understand etiquette sufficiently to:
   

  • Ask politely by being close enough to extend his hand to the lady when requesting a dance. Graciously use the phrase, "May I have the pleasure of this dance with you?"

  • Guide the lady to the floor & return her to her chair or prior location. Again, thank her.

  • Spend your time equally between your dance partners.

Abilities desirable, but not absolutely necessary: (Levels 4 & 5)

• Be able to begin adding some "other" dances that are sometimes danced aboard Cruise Ships including... Tango, Samba, Quick Step, Merengue, Salsa, Two-Step, Polka, Viennese Waltz, etc.

• Be able to correctly execute eight or more (approximately) steps / patterns for each of the standard dances.