2. Offer an alternative. If you don't want to go to the dance with the person, but you still want to maintain a good relationship with them, suggest an alternative activity that you could do together instead.
3. Make an excuse. If you're not comfortable being honest and direct, or if you don't have a good alternative activity to suggest, you can always make an excuse. Just be sure that your excuse is believable and that it doesn't hurt the other person's feelings.
Here are some specific examples of things you could say:
1. "I'm sorry, but I already have a date for the dance."
2. "I'm not feeling well and I don't think I'll be able to go to the dance."
3. "I have a family obligation that I can't get out of."
4. "I'm not really into dancing and I'd rather not go."
5. "I'm going out of town for the weekend."
6. "Thanks for asking, but I'm not interested in going to the dance with you."
7. "I'm sorry, but I'm not comfortable going to the dance with someone I don't know very well."
8. "I'm not really feeling up to going to the dance."
9. "I've got a lot of studying to do and I don't have time to go to the dance."
10. "I'm not sure what to wear and I don't have time to go shopping."
No matter what you say, be sure to be polite and respectful. Remember that you're trying to get out of going to the dance with the person, not hurt their feelings.