Our Code of Conduct

How we keep Amarelo warm, safe & light for everyone.

If you witness or experience inappropriate behavior, you can share or report it using the following methods

Offer help to affected persons (if comfortable) and/or…

Talk to a member of Amarelo directly at an event, either directly or through someone else if that’s more comfortable for you; we will then talk among the team for further steps.

Our Instagram account: @amarelozrh

Via e-mail: forro@amarelo.ch

If you would like to share or report anything anonymously, you can contact us via this anonymous form.

Amarelo Code of conduct

Amarelo’s Code of Conduct is intended to serve as a guide for social interaction within our events, for participants as well as for teachers working for Amarelo and organizers of Amarelo events.

Forró is a Brazilian dance, but most forró enthusiasts in Europe are not Brazilian. We have therefore adapted customs and norms tailored to our group, to share Brazilian cultural expression while also accepting the reality of a more diverse community. Additions and feedback are always welcome.

Although the way we teach and live forró is only a small slice of how it can be expressed, we want to value forró as a Brazilian cultural expression. We encourage all participants to engage respectfully and openly, recognizing its roots, diversity, and history.

Newcomers, it can be overwhelming seeing so many tips and rules, especially since it may not be clear which are suggestions and which are rules. We expect you will get more comfortable with time, as more experienced dancers have. Come to us in case of doubt, and the rest will follow.

Come to us in case of doubt, and the rest will follow.

General guideline

We aim to create and maintain a light, collaborative, and safe atmosphere between all parties, including dancers, teachers, staff members, organizers, and others. Everyone attending one of our events is expected to contribute to this, and misconduct will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.
We value every person coming to dance with us. We want to celebrate the diversity of people dancing together, and we ask you to please treat all people with the same respect.
We welcome everyone regardless of their dance ability, dance background, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, etc.

What rules to follow and what to be aware of

Respect others’ space and boundaries.
Avoid any unwanted or unwelcome behavior (sexual or otherwise) that makes a person feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Inappropriate comments, teasing, or intimidation.
- Unless requested and made respectfully, comments about another person’s physical appearance, their body, or their dancing should be avoided.
- Discriminatory behavior, such as, but not limited to: demeaning jokes, cat-calling, racial slurs, harassment, etc. regarding gender, race, orientation, religion, age, social class, etc.
- Stalking
- Unwanted physical contact or sexual advances
- Inappropriate social media posts
- Any criminal offense

In the dance

We encourage all participants to communicate with their dance partner: Try to be proactive and use your voice to adjust the dance (e.g. “Can we get more space?” or “Please don’t use that move”).
Consent to a dance is just for this dance, and consent can be withdrawn.
Consent must be enthusiastic.

Consent must be enthusiastic.

Try to pay attention to signs of your partners’ discomfort. Some examples of signs are when they:
- Pull away from you or seek distance from a close embrace
- Avoid eye contact
- Their body tightens up or becomes stiff
- Shrug their shoulders
- Look distracted or have an uneasy facial expression
- Turn their heads away from you
If your partner shows any of these signs, then take it as a no.
It is okay to say “no” to a dance request without a reason. Everyone must be respectful when being turned down. There are other dancers that would dance with you!

It is okay to say “no” to a dance request without a reason.

It is okay to stop and walk away from an unsafe or uncomfortable dance without explanation, even during a song or longer sets.
Inform your dance partner if you have injuries or pain so they can adapt to you.
Dance roles are not defined by gender. Anyone is free to lead or follow and can communicate what role they would like to dance.
Different people are comfortable with different levels of closeness. Do not force people into an embrace they aren’t comfortable with.
Accidental touches may happen in the dance. When they do, apologize, stay mindful and respectful.
Do not offer advice on the dance floor unless the other person asks for it or if something they do is uncomfortable.
Adjust movements to the space available:
- Be aware of other people on the dance floor and avoid bumping into people as much as possible.
- Avoid acrobatic moves unless your dance partner is okay with it and there is enough space.

Socially

Persistent unwanted attention, on or off the dance floor, is not accepted. If you want to interact with someone, ask them and respect their answer. Don’t hover around them waiting for them to ask you.
Avoid repeatedly asking to dance if they have already said no a few times.
Flirting is okay if done respectfully and if welcomed by the other person. When in doubt, ask, and if it’s not welcome then let it go.
Kissing, touching or sniffing any part of your partner's body without consent is not tolerated.

For classes

Try to arrive on time so as to not miss out on important content and to not delay or interrupt the class.
Avoid excessive use of mobile phones during classes.
We encourage giving feedback to and communication with one another during classes. For example: “maybe we could try xyzˮ; “xyz feels a bit unclear to meˮ; “do you feel my input/my reaction here?”.
Respect the learning pace of others.
Alcohol and drug consumption before and during classes is not permitted. Anyone found to be very noticeably intoxicated in classes will be sent away.

Personal Care & Hygiene

Generally come to events clean, not smelly, etc. Suggestions:

Take a shower before classes and parties whenever possible.
Use deodorant and, if possible, bring it with you.
If you know you will sweat a lot you can bring fresh clothes to change into and/or a small towel with you.
Brush your teeth and carry breath mints, gum, etc.
Be mindful about the amount of perfume/cologne/scents you're using.

Non-negotiables:

Wash your hands with soap after using the toilet.
If you show signs of (contagious) sicknesses, please stay home and come back when you’re feeling better.
For men: Wear underwear, avoid loose underwear.

Pictures / Videos

Please be aware that by registering for our classes/events you consented to pictures and videos of you being taken and published on our social media and in print.
If there is a picture of you published you didnʼt consent to, please let us know so we can resolve the issue amicably.
If you do not want to be photographed, let the organizers and/or photographers know ahead of time and we will try our best to accommodate you.
If you want to take pictures or videos yourself, please consider asking the people if they are fine with being photographed or filmed.

FAQ

Inappropriate or uncomfortable touches
Unwanted erections
Uncomfortable, non-physical situations

Some suggestions on how to react:

If you feel that your partner’s behavior is not intentional or you feel a body part of theirs that you don’t want to, create space in the dance or shift to an open base dance.
If a touch feels inappropriate or makes you uncomfortable (e.g. hand or arm placements), move the body part to a more comfortable spot. If repeated, say something (if you feel comfortable to do so) or stop the dance.
Stopping an uncomfortable dance is ok at any moment. Feel free to excuse yourself from your partner and leave the dance, without having to explain yourself.
For men: If you get turned on (intentionally or not), create space or shift to an open dance and apologize to your dance partner.
Communicate: talk about the situation with your dance partner (if you feel comfortable doing that), a friend and/or team members of Amarelo, especially if the behavior is recurrent.

Party/festival etiquette:

Forró has a wide range of styles and forms of expression. There is not “one way of dancing forró”. So be welcoming towards people with different experiences and open to learning about the dance.
Be generous: Try to also ask strangers or beginners to dance. If you’re a seasoned dancer, remember you were also a beginner and stranger at some point!
Both leaders and followers are encouraged to ask for a dance.
Adapt to your dance partner. If they are beginners or don’t know certain moves, try not to overwhelm them using all of your repertory. If they are more advanced than you, relax and try not to overwhelm yourself wanting to impress them.
If you want to experiment with movements you haven’t practiced or perfected, ask your partner first. That way they can also be extra attentive (to avoid discomfort or physical injury).
Pay attention to the floor texture and adapt moves to the floor to avoid injuries (for example, don’t lead 5+ step turns on floors with rough textures).
Considering the standard embrace, avoid keeping items in your front pockets, such as keys, cellphones, wallets, etc.
Remember the rules for hygiene above.
Shoe/clothing recommendations:
- Be careful with sportswear that has been used a lot as it often collects bad smells.
- High heels aren’t recommended as they can injure fellow dancers.

Examples of things you can do:

Remember to communicate. Ask your dance partner if they feel comfortable. E.g. “Do you feel comfortable with the pressure of my hand on your back?”
When it is the first time dancing with someone, start slow, take your time with the first couple of moves, even with embracing, and try to notice how your dance partner moves and reacts to you moving.

Below are problematic behaviors and boundary violations that have happened in the forró scene and unfortunately still do. Avoid these behaviors (or ask for consent beforehand) to contribute to a safe environment:

Grabbing people and dragging them onto the dancefloor, especially without asking if they want to dance
Following someone around on the dance floor
Not letting your dance partner go when they want to leave
Pulling your partner in to dance after they create space
Physically trapping a person, for example by surrounding them with your arms or keeping them pinned to a wall
Lead/follow in a way that hurts your dance partner
Taking people off their balance (e.g. with lifts or dips)
Turning the dance into a sensual or sexual one without consent
Insisting on maintaining very close contact or getting closer when aroused
Insisting that a sensual way of dancing is “normal” or “just the way someone dances”
Insisting that a movement is “the way things are done in forró”, especially if the other person says it makes them uncomfortable
Dominating spaces without giving others time to share their own experiences.
Commenting on people’s bodies
Objectifying people
Hiding your relationship status to pick up others
Feeling entitled to or demanding sexual favors after being nice to someone
Insisting that someone gives you their number or saves yours
For musicians/DJs: Playing music with sexist/racist/abusive lyrics
For teachers: Teaching things that make people in specific roles uncomfortable without them having a choice

Violations of the Code of Conduct