Acknowledgement (Salutation, Honour Your Partner or Reverence)

The Acknowledgement—also known as the Salutation, Honour Your Partner, or

Reverence—should be performed before and after every dance. In some dances it also forms part of the choreography.

Its purpose is to thank your partner for the pleasure of dancing together. Depending on the style of dance, the acknowledgement may take the form of a Bow, Salute, or Curtsey.

At the beginning of a dance there is usually a four-bar introduction, during which the acknowledgement is performed.

Bow

The Bow is the Leader’s acknowledgement and should reflect the character and style of the dance.

1. Dances Based on Five-Foot Position

Technique

The bow may consist of either two or three steps. The example below describes a three-step bow performed at the start of a dance. Within the body of a dance, it may be reduced to two steps.

Starting Position: Face Line of Dance (LOD) or Diagonal Centre (DC), with the feet in Parallel Position (traditionally, First Position may also be used).

1. Step forward on the RF, commencing a turn to the right.

2. Step LF to the side into Second Position, turning to face your partner.

3. Place the RF into Third or Fourth Position Front without taking weight, inclining the upper body forward from the waist. Simultaneously, move the right hand diagonally across the body towards the left hip with the palm facing the body. The left arm moves slightly backwards away from the body.

4. Recover and move smoothly into the starting hold and position of the dance.

2. Dances Based on Parallel Foot Position

Technique

Starting Position: Face Line of Dance (LOD) with the feet in Parallel Position.

1. Step forward on the RF, commencing a turn to the right.

2. Step LF to the side to face your partner.

3. Close the RF to the LF in Parallel Position, inclining the body forward from the waist with both arms relaxed at the sides.

4. Recover and move into the starting hold and position of the dance.

Salute

The Salute is an alternative acknowledgement used by the Leader.

Raise the right hand outward and upward until the fingers are approximately at eye level, with the palm facing outward. Return the hand smartly to the side of the body by the shortest path.

Curtsey

(Derived from the word courtesy)

The Curtsey is the Follower’s acknowledgement and, like the Bow, should portray the character of the dance.

Maintain an upright, natural head position, allowing the Follower to look comfortably towards the Leader. The hands are an important part of the presentation. When wearing a skirt or dress, it should be held lightly between the thumb and forefinger.

1. Bob Curtsey

1. Step RF to the side into Second Position, facing the Leader.

2. Move the LF to an open rear position while lowering into a demi-plié.

3. Recover and move into the hold and position of the figure that follows.

   
   

2. Full Curtsey

The Full Curtsey may consist of one, two or three steps. At the beginning of a dance it is commonly performed as a three-step figure, while within the body of a dance it is often shortened to one or two steps.

The three-step version performed at the start of a dance is described in the following section.