Culture

External Resources

 * 627 Stomp Code of Conduct
 * Athen's Swing Night Code of Conduct
 * Culture, Values, Etiquette by Blue Note
 * Christchurch Swing Town Rebelz Community Guidelines
 * Cat's Corner Code of Conduct
 * The Dancer's Bill of Rights and Obligations by Laura Riva
 * Lindy Hopper's Etiquette by Swing it (formerly Holy) Lindy Land
 * Mobtown Ballroom Code of Conduct
 * Swing Dance Sydney Code of Conduct

One-dance vs. Two-dance "rule"
In some parts of the world, people usually dance two dances together vs. one dance when they agree to a dance. There is no universally acknowledged protocol.
 * As always, one can ask for another dance and one can always refuse a dance, but local custom exists
 * North America: usual expectation is one dance
 * Two dances appeared to be the norm in Europe (circa 2005? 1999?)

Specific Regions
Individual anecdotes, taken from online discussions if not referenced. + for multiple individuals)
 * Barcelona: one dance
 * Vienna: 50/50
 * France:
 * rarely
 * common to ask for a second dance
 * UK:
 * was told by others two dances is the custom
 * one dance (+)
 * two dance
 * In the past but not now (+)
 * balboa: one dance
 * Middle Eastern Europe: two dances
 * Europe: two dances
 * Germany: two dances
 * Sweden: two dances (+)
 * Herrang: two dances
 * Finland: two dances
 * Czech Republic: two dances
 * Australia: two dances (++)
 * Brisbane: one dance
 * Perth: one dance

Potential Reasons (speculative unless otherwise referenced)

 * Two dances where it is common to play two songs of the same style in the row
 * Two dances from folk tradition
 * Role imbalance - two dance would mean more dancing after waiting (but more waiting?)
 * Foreigners may be excused for not knowing/adhering to local custom
 * Two dances more prevalent among the dancers who started earlier
 * Multiple dances in a row means being more connected with your partner
 * One dance means no expectations, avoiding the people feeling entitled to dances from someone else

Variations

 * Ask for another dance in the future
 * Live music: Longer songs may also be considered equivalent to multiple dances
 * One and a half dances - ask for a full song if only a small fraction of the previous one was danced
 * One dance for "in-demand" people
 * Ask for as many dances as you want
 * See also: Lindybeige's rant on the two dance rule

Counting
...No longer leading man material, he found himself newly dependent on keeping in step with chorus dancers. Dominic Frontiere, a big-band musician, helped him perfect his timing by counting, 1, 2, 3, 4. Mr. Faccuito would reply, ah, 5, 6, 7, 8! His habit caught on and is now a standard part of every dancer's lexicon.
 * Most movements are either 8 counts or 6 counts
 * Dancers often count steps in sets of 8 counts
 * vs. musicians usually consider the music to be 4/4 (4 count)
 * Dancers will often start by counting "5,6,7,8" before starting on the first "1" of a sequence
 * Many movements are considered to start on the "8" immediately preceding the first "1"
 * Counting "5,6,7,8" attributed to Luigi Faccuito, "the father of American jazz dancing" in the New York Times article In Person; 'Never Stop Moving' April 15, 2001 by Mary Ann Castronovo Fusco.
 * Other variations: "ah 5, ah 6, ah 5,6,7,8",  more rarely "1...3...5,6,7,8",  or scatting/noises instead of the counts
 * Frankie Manning: "ah 1, ah 2,  you know what to do"
 * Sometimes used (usually with shouting, noise) to indicate the entry of a new entrant to a jam circle

Other Links

 * Dancing Star's Lindy Hop Resources: Digital copies of "Hoppin' - The International Lindy Hop Newsletter", The Frankie 100 Commemorative Book, and a copy of the clip of the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers in  Hellzapoppin'.