What was the reasoning behind the practice of "cutting in" at a dance?

Question

I see these movies from the 40's and 50's where a guy who is with the woman he loves feels obligated to relinquish her to a rude or obnoxious man, or just a competitor or someone the woman doesn't like. Why? How did this custom get started? Why is the woman obligated to dance with whoever taps her man on the shoulder? Where is her choice in the matter? I just don't understand the social beliefs that supported this custom. Would someone please explain it to me?

Answer 1

Way back when this was the acceptible norm, men who wanted a dance with a guys girl or date, would tap the guy
on the shoulder and ask the woman if he could have that
dance. If she was willing she'd nod in favor. And if she didn't
want to change partners, she would nod or reply no. The date
would always wait for her reply before turning her over. If the
other man would be obnoxious or drunk, he would not have
been given permission by the date to have that dance. The
date, wouldn't even have looked at his girl or date. He'd automatically turn the guy down. Only 'gentlemen' would dare
to interrupt and proceed in the courteous way. And a gentle-
man would almost always relinquish his girl or date, for that
one dance. The man borrowing the girl, was to return her to
her date, at the end of the dance he'd borrowed her for. Not
for a succession of dances. Just the one dance. Proper
manners would dictate the decorum for borrowing a girl,
and it was the men who came without a date of their own,
that would do the borrowing. And no, the woman was never
obligated to dance with anyone other than her date she
arrived with. And she always had the chance to turn anyone
down if she chose. If there was someone in the room she
absolutely didn't want to cut in, she only had to tell her partner
or date she refused to dance with that particular male. And
her date would adhere to her request as a gentleman. In those days, a drunken male trying to borrow a girl, would be
considered a "cad" for being so rude with his behavior that
any female would be offended. So it was up to her partner,
to keep her safe from any harm or verbal abuse.
I hope I've made it clear for you?

Answer 2

There was no obligation on the part of the woman to be "cut in on" by an obnoxious stranger. Usually the "cutting in" was done by people known to one or both dance partners.

As a protocol, however, it had the advantage of allowing a woman to be free from being monopolized by someone she might not particularly prefer. Also, it served to help people to "mix" and talk to new people rather than be restricted to those who had the gumption to ask for the dance in the first place.

Answer 3

I believe this started in the Western days... there simply were not enough women to go around, so folks would politely cut in to take a turn on the dance floor! It was all in good fun and being neighborly !!!

Answer 4

Cutting in was started during USO dances during the wars when there were too many men and not enough women at the dance. It prevented one person from monopolizing the time of the prettiest women.

Answer 5

It was a courtesy, especially when a woman was being monopolized by one man.

I have never seen a woman refuse, but I think etiquette states she must accept the request

Answer 6

Shari pretty much covers the whole 9 yards - - us hillbillys still honor the system at local dances.

Answer 7

in case you're dancing like that, the only guy you will capture would be donning a entertainment tournament, yet you will nonetheless capture one. So i think of that's particularly useful to refine your dance steps to considered one of those guy you prefer to fulfill. :)

Answer 8

That was from back in the day when there was a woman shortage. But we took care of that problem. hahaha