The 7 Deadly Dancer Sins

The 7 Deadly Sins of Social Dancing (Yes, We Have Our Own) plus an 8th

You’ve probably heard of the Seven Deadly Sins — those juicy, dramatic no-no’s from old-school religious doctrine. But did you know social dancing has its own set of dance floor disasters that deserve just as much side-eye?

Whether you’re spinning on the salsa floor or body-rolling through bachata, these sins can sabotage your vibe, reputation, and even your love for dance. Some are more about how you treat others, while others are internal tripwires waiting to blow up your own experience.

Let’s spill the tea.

1. Lust – AKA “The Creeper Shuffle”

Dance can be sensual. That’s part of what makes it so captivating. But when your dance becomes a thinly veiled excuse to grope, grind, or otherwise get freaky without consent? That’s not sexy — it’s Lust, and it’s a big fat red flag.

If your hands are wandering, or you’re trying to lock someone into a sultry hostage situation on the floor, you’ve crossed the line. Same goes if you’re using your dance skills to manipulate someone into something they didn’t sign up for. We see you. And it’s gross.

Pro tip: There’s a big difference between connection and coercion. Respect the line.

2. Sloth – The Zombie Dancer

We all have off nights. Maybe you’re tired, maybe the music’s not hitting right, or maybe you’re just dancing out of obligation. But if you’re phoning it in — staring into space, giving your partner the emotional range of a dead houseplant — welcome to the land of Sloth.

Sloth doesn’t always come from laziness. Sometimes it’s burnout. Sometimes it’s social overload. But if you’re going to half-ass a dance and make your partner feel like an inconvenience, it might be better to sit that one out.

Give what you can, when you can. If you can’t, it’s okay. Just don’t become a warm-bodied dance ghost.

3. Gluttony – The Burnout Buffet

Yes, you can overdose on dancing. And some people do — workshops every weekend, socials every night, three festivals a month. They live and breathe it until, suddenly, they disappear from the scene faster than a bad DJ gets skipped on Spotify.

Gluttony is all gas, no brakes. But eventually, even the most enthusiastic dancers hit a wall. And when they do, they often crash hard.

Balance is everything. Treat your dance life like a luxury — something to savor, not binge. Pace yourself so you actually want to keep coming back.

4. Envy – The Comparison Trap

“Why does she get asked to dance all the time?”

“How come he gets invited to teach when I’m better than him?”

Ever caught yourself thinking like this? That’s Envy whispering in your ear.

It’s natural to compare. But when it turns into bitterness — passive-aggressive comments, cold shoulders, or internal self-loathing — it’s poison. And worse, it usually targets the wrong people. The ones getting dances or recognition aren’t villains — they’re just doing their thing.

Use that energy to level up your own dancing, your confidence, or your playlist game. Or maybe just give yourself a damn break. You’re not in a race.

5. Wrath – Angry, Party of Two

You’re in class, trying to nail a move. It’s not working. You feel your jaw tighten. Maybe your partner gets snapped at. Maybe you yank their arm because “they’re not getting it.” Or maybe the anger turns inward, and you spiral into self-hate mode.

Congrats, that’s Wrath. And it sucks for everyone involved.

Frustration is normal — but rage? That’s a vibe-killer. If you find yourself boiling, pause. Breathe. Laugh it off if you can. Tell your partner you’re having a moment. And if all else fails? Sit one out. No one will think less of you for resetting.

6. Pride – The Dancefloor Diva

This one’s sneaky. At first, it looks like confidence. But Pride wears thin when you start thinking you’ve got nothing left to learn — or worse, that you’re above everyone else.

Pride can turn someone into an unteachable know-it-all or a jerk to beginners. You might not even realize it — until you notice you’re always correcting others or mentally rolling your eyes at less “skilled” dancers.

Newsflash: the best dancers stay curious. They never stop learning. If you think you’re too good to grow, you’re shrinking, not rising.

7. Greed – The Taker, Not the Giver

Greed shows up when someone expects everything from the community but contributes nothing. These dancers want all the best partners, all the attention, all the comps — but can’t be bothered to support newbies, volunteer, or pay for events.

They sneak in without paying. They message DJs for free mixes. They ghost organizers asking for help. And then wonder why their scene feels cold.

Communities thrive on contribution. You don’t have to be a saint — just show up, help out, tip your teachers, and dance with someone new once in a while. Give back if you love what you’re getting.

BONUS ROUND: Hypocrisy – The Secret 8th Sin

You ever see someone rant about bad etiquette… while breaking the same rules themselves? Yeah. That’s Hypocrisy — the honorary 8th Deadly Dance Sin.

It’s when someone preaches community values but treats volunteers like background noise. It’s when someone complains about being rejected… and then never says yes to a beginner.

We all slip up. But calling out others while ignoring our own flaws? That’s just tacky.

Final Thoughts

We’re all guilty of one (or seven) of these at some point. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s self-awareness. If you can laugh at yourself, learn from your missteps, and keep showing up with a good attitude, you’ll be just fine.

Now go forth and sin a little less. Or at least sin fabulously.