Swing dancing is a joyful pastime and we share a responsibility for keeping it that way and supporting our fellow dancers. Harassment or bullying won’t be tolerated at any of our events or by anyone whether you are an international teacher, a DJ or a first time dancer. Everyone should treat all participants with care and respect and abide by our Code of Conduct. We at Glasgow Jitterbugs have a zero tolerance policy for harassment and bullying of any sort - whether sexual, physical, verbal or emotional. Our Code of Conduct is not just "for show". We promise to enforce it and swiftly if the need arises.

At Glasgow Jitterbugs we promise:

• To treat everyone attending our classes equally and with respect, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, age, body shape or disability.
• To eject anyone acting in an unacceptable manner.
• Not to hire teachers with a history of unacceptable behaviour.
• To listen to everybody’s concerns and to act appropriately.
• To treat all messages seriously and in the strictest confidence.
• To respond to your suggestions.

In return, we would ask people attending our events to please:

• Consider the impact your behaviour (whether deliberate or accidental) can have on others. Be aware of your fellow dancers’ comfort, and consider what you can do to keep things lovely.
• Speak up if someone makes you uncomfortable, for whatever reason. One testimony can help prevent others from suffering. You can talk to any of our teachers, or EMAIL if you prefer.
• Listen seriously if someone tells you something, and act appropriately. If you don’t know what to do, ask someone else.
• Pay attention. If you see or hear something that doesn't seem quite right, talk to someone.
• Don’t let someone’s aura of ‘status’ or ‘seniority’ affect your decision-making. If a teacher does something bad, speak up.
• Consider your choice of words and who you are talking to when asking for a dance. Certain terms like “Swing” and “Shag” lends itself to innuendo which may not be funny to everyone.

 On refusing a dance:

• In general, refusing a dance without good reason can be hurtful, so be generous with your dances, especially with beginners. However, if someone makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to dance with them, and you don’t have to give a reason why. A simple 'No thank you' should suffice. However, if you do decline a dance, unless there is a reason you don’t feel comfortable dancing with that person, we encourage you to consider asking that person first when you are ready to dance again. Otherwise, it can feel quite hurtful to see you dancing with others not long after you declined a dance with them.
• If someone says ‘no’ to you, respect that decision and consider what you can do to make them feel more at ease. For example, some people prefer not to dance up close and personal – this is an acceptable choice, so find a distance which is comfortable for both of you, or stop dancing. That said, don’t take it personally if someone declines a dance with you. They could be tired, on their way out the door, in mid-conversation with someone, or any number of other valid reasons.
• If you're in class and you don't want to dance with someone in rotation, this is a sign that the issue should be confronted ASAP. Step out of rotation, and let us know your feelings in a break.

"Teaching’ to Fellow Students and Giving Feedback 

While attending classes or socials, please don’t ‘teach’ to other students. Dancers need space to make mistakes as that’s part of the learning process. Let them, and resist the temptation to ‘help’ them. You could even be telling them something that’s incorrect. Ask the teachers for help instead.

Please do not give feedback unless you are explicitly asked for it or you have been instructed to by the teachers to engage in a feedback exercise. That goes for both classes and on the social dance floor. In that instance where it’s appropriate to give feedback, please be mindful of the language you use. Things like ‘You’re doing it wrong’ or shifting all blame/responsibility onto your partner should be avoided. Remember, it’s a partnership and more often than not, it’s a combination of things both of you could change that would improve the result. Therefore, feedback works best when phrased as questions like, ‘Could we try it like this…’ or ‘Could we see what it feels like if we release the connection on count 5 instead of 4…?’ Using ‘we’ instead of ‘you’ is a more constructive way of phrasing so no one feels like it’s all on them. 

Social Dance Floor Etiquette 

• If you bump into or kick someone, apologise straight away, even if you think it wasn’t your fault
• No aerials on the social dance floor. They should be reserved for performances and jam circles only, with a partner you have practiced aerials with and is happy to do them
• Always practice good floor craft. Maintain good awareness while social dancing so accidents can be avoided
• Swing dancing is a close proximity activity. Please maintain good hygiene, wear deodorant and bring additional clean shirts in case you get sweaty. Also, avoid strong perfume/cologne/aftershave as some people may have fragrance sensitivities 

Glasgow Jitterbugs is Not a Pick-Up Venue

Do not make advances towards other dancers and please respect boundaries. Anything other than an enthusiastic yes is a no. Sexual harassment (which refers to unwelcomed sexual advances and may involve sexual pranks, jokes, teasing, gestures, unwanted touching/grabbing, or suggestive conversations) may be met with a permanent ban from all of our events.

While the swing dance community is a place of connection and a chance to build friendships, every dancer has different reasons for wanting to swing dance, and for many of them, that does not include romance or hooking up. Although some members of this community have met their partners or spouses through dancing, there is a big difference between a romantic relationship that develops organically between partners who are EQUALLY enthusiastic, and situations where you are pursuing a dancer(s) for dates, sex, or time spent outside of the dance community’s events who has not reciprocated with an obvious and enthusiastic yes. Predation has no place in society, let alone in the dance community.

Our code of conduct has been adapted and used (with permission) from Shag Pile London.