Invitation for a dance

 When it is time for a gentleman to invite a lady for a dance, he must follow some simple rules that will ensure he makes the best impression. Those simple rules are summarized in this extract from “The Gentleman and Lady’s Book” written in 1830 by Mme Celnart.

When you are sure of a place in the dance, you go up to a lady, and ask her if she will do you the honor to dance with you.If she answers that she is engaged, invite her for the next dance, but take care not to address yourself afterwards to any ladies next to her, for these not being able to refuse you, would feel hurt at being invited after another. Never wait until the signal is given to take partner, for nothing is more impolite than to invite a lady hastily, and when the dancers are already in their places; it can be allowed only when the set is incomplete.A lady cannot refuse the invitation of a gentleman to dance, unless she has already accepted that of another.

Invitation to the dance starts with the bow of the asking person. Response accompanies with the bow as well. When dance finishes, a gentleman should escorts his lady to the same place where he asked her to dance, or to any other place according to a lady’s wish.