Whether you're at a party, a club, dance, or anyplace with great music, you might want to ask a girl to dance with you! Asking a girl to dance can seem nerve-wracking, but when you know the right way to do it, you can make the experience easy and fun for both of you. Weโve answered your most common questions on asking a girl to dance so that you can be confident, respectful, and most importantly, have fun dancing!
Steps
How can you tell if a girl wants to dance?
-
Look at her body language. If you make eye contact from across the room (especially if she smiles at you), she might be interested in dancing with you. If the girl seems to be avoiding eye contact at all costs, then it's probably a good sign she isn't interested. In that case, no worries! You can look around the room for another partner. [1] X Research source
-
Make sure the girl doesnโt already have a dance partner. Wait a few minutes before approaching her and see if sheโs looking around the room for a partner, or if sheโs with someone else already. [2] X Research source
How do you approach a girl to ask her to dance?
-
Approach her from the front so she sees you coming. Walk towards her directly so she sees that you are probably coming over to talk or ask her to dance. This gives her the chance to prepare (or walk away if she wants to). If youโre feeling nervous about approaching her, remember to stand up tall and take a deep breath. Youโve got this! [3] X Research source
- If sheโs standing with her back to you, either move around to face her or politely say โhiโ to get her attention.
- Never start by grabbing or touching her. Asking a girl to dance should always start with a simple, straightforward question.
-
Smile and make eye contact. Eye contact and a warm smile will show that you are friendly and confident. Do this while youโre walking over to her if she is looking at you. [4] X Research source
How do you ask a girl to dance at prom?
-
If sheโs not on the dance floor yet, strike up a casual conversation. Start by making eye contact and giving her a friendly smile. If sheโs with a group of friends, it can be a little intimidating to get in there, but you can do it! Just take a deep breath, walk up with a smile, and say โhiโ to everyone there to make them feel comfortable with you talking to their friend. [10] X Research source After youโve said โhi,โ or talked long enough to feel comfortable, you can ask her โWould you like to dance?โ or โDo you want to go dance?โ [11] X Research source
-
If sheโs already on the dance floor, start by dancing on your own. Whether youโre captain of the dance team, or not quite sure what to do with your arms when youโre dancing, itโs okay! Just listen to the music and act like youโre having fun and enjoying yourself. [12] X Research source Catch her eye or mirror her dance moves to see if sheโs willing to engage with you. After a few seconds of dancing, you can offer her your hands to dance together (if your school rules let you dance with a partner). [13] X Research source
How do you ask a girl to dance formally or for a slow dance?
-
You don't have to say anything complicated. Even in a ballroom dance setting, a simple โWould you like to dance?โ or โWould you care to dance?โ works just fine. If youโre feeling nervous, practice it a few times in your head before you go over to talk to her. [14] X Research source
- Enunciate and speak slowly to show that youโre calm and confident. [15] X Research source
-
Offer your left hand to lead her to the dance floor if she says yes. It's more common to lead the girl by the hand for certain types of dances, like salsa, for example, in which you will be holding hands for pretty much the whole dance. Just let her follow you if she doesn't take your hand. [16] X Research source
What do you say while youโre dancing?
-
Introduce yourself while youโre dancing. If youโre in a place where the music isnโt too loud, or at formal dance setting, a simple introduction makes it more comfortable to dance with each other (if you don't know each other already). You don't have to spark up a full conversation, although you can make small talk if that feels more comfortable, or if you want to get to know her. [17] X Research source
- Say something like, โMy name's John, by the way, what's your name?โ Follow it up with something like, โWhat brings you out tonight?โ if you want to continue the conversation while dancing.
- You don't have to wait until youโre dancing to make the introduction. Just do whatever feels most natural and comfortable.
-
If itโs too loud, you can save the conversation for later. When the music is blasting, you and your dance partner might have trouble hearing each other. Donโt sweat it. Just save the conversation for later to avoid miscommunication or having to yell in each otherโs ears. You can talk when you go take a break from dancing or when you go to grab a drink. [18] X Research source
What do you do when the dance is over?
-
Say โthank youโ when youโre done dancing. Smile and be genuine with your thanks when the song or dance ends. When youโre respectful, it goes a long way towards making dancing a fun interaction for everyone. Plus, itโs especially important to be polite and kind if you want to get to know the girl beyond dancing! [19] X Research source
-
Escort her off the dance floor. In social dance or formal settings, follow proper etiquette by escorting your partner back to where you met them (or just off the dance floor). [20] X Research source
- Don't take it personally if she wants to dance with someone different after you, or if she just wants to take a break, or go back to dancing or talking with her friends. In styles of ballroom or social dance, itโs normal for people to change partners frequently. [21] X Research source
Tip: If you want to get to know the girl more after dancing, then this is a good time to ask her if you can get her a drink (it doesn't have to be alcoholic) to continue the conversation. Dancing can be a fun way of flirting and starting an interaction with someone who attracts and interests you.
What do you say if a girl doesnโt want to dance?
-
Be polite to keep the door open to dancing later. It can feel rough to get rejected, but donโt let it get you down! To respond to the โno,โ politely say something like โYouโre a great dancer, and if youโd like to dance later, Iโll be over there.โ Being prepared for her to say โnoโ and respectfully accepting the rejection will make you seem confident and keep the door open if she changes her mind. [22] X Research source
-
Politely walk away and donโt take it personally. Know that a โnoโ isn't necessarily a negative reflection of you. A girl can have endless reasons for not wanting to dance with you. Brush off the rejection and don't let it hurt your confidence. There are plenty of other girls to dance with! [23] X Research source
Expert Q&A
-
QuestionWhat should I say when I ask a girl to dance?Eddy Baller is a Dating Coach and the Owner of a dating consulting and coaching service, Conquer and Win, based in Vancouver, Canada. Coaching since 2011, Eddy specializes in confidence building, advanced social skills, and relationships. Conquer and Win helps men worldwide have the love lives they deserve. His work has been featured in The Art of Manliness, LifeHack, and POF among others.You don't need to have a clever line. Even just simply asking "Would you like to dance?" is a nice and direct way to ask them.
-
QuestionHow would I know if the girl Iโm dancing with wants to stop?Community AnswerNormally, girls show a lot of body language. If you can't pick up on her body language, then ask her if she wants a break and wants to dance later, a girl would normally say yes. If you want to dance again, you can ask. However, a few dances should be enough. Don't hog people or they may not want to dance later. Take your time, girls like breaks and having fun!
Tips
References
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ej93HUL8uw&t=18s&ab_channel=BallroomFeed
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=30&v=SiT4MQBlW1I&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=iIMAGINEblank
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ej93HUL8uw&t=15s&ab_channel=BallroomFeed
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ej93HUL8uw&t=15s&ab_channel=BallroomFeed
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiWWIshFT3g&t=170s&ab_channel=GetDance
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jStE6-uQgQ&t=131s&ab_channel=RichardLaRuina
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKwgFZBuPWI&t=205s
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch-2Nissjf0&t=85s&ab_channel=TrippAdvice
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiWWIshFT3g&t=32s&ab_channel=GetDance
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uorov2iBZYI&t=80s&ab_channel=MarniYourPersonalWingGirl
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ej93HUL8uw&t=91s&ab_channel=BallroomFeed
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jStE6-uQgQ&t=53s&ab_channel=RichardLaRuina
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jStE6-uQgQ&t=155s&ab_channel=RichardLaRuina
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ej93HUL8uw&t=91s&ab_channel=BallroomFeed
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ej93HUL8uw&t=132s&ab_channel=BallroomFeed
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g721yQFFAOA&t=70s&ab_channel=DanceDojo
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jStE6-uQgQ&t=131s&ab_channel=RichardLaRuina
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch-2Nissjf0&t=270s&ab_channel=TrippAdvice
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g721yQFFAOA&t=83s&ab_channel=DanceDojo
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g721yQFFAOA&t=83s&ab_channel=DanceDojo
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g721yQFFAOA&t=147s&ab_channel=DanceDojo
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mene9cqfa_U&t=71s&ab_channel=DanceDojo
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mene9cqfa_U&t=42s