codigos de tango or étiqueta de tango : tango etiquette, customary behaviour, unspoken rules, may vary from milonga to milonga, from place to place, and time to time. Someone could write a whole section about this – any volunteers ?

Here is an overview of the unwritten tango social rules:

1/ The general flow, ronda (Spanish) line of dance of the dancers in a milonga is anticlockwise around the room.

2/ A cabeceo – is an unspoken invitation and acceptance to dance. It is essentially a subtle look or glance which is acknowledged equally subtly. It is intended to avoid coercion, obligation, embarrassment or other discomfort by either party. It is not forced.

3/ personal hygiene, bathed or showered body, and washed clothes, brushed teeth.

4/ dress code may or may not be important. e.g. no jeans and shorts, it is recommended to check with the organisers or regular visitors what the usual dress code is.

codigo – Spanish for, code; ‘codigos’- rules.