Salsa Etiquette
 

             So—you’re about to go to your first salsa lesson. You’ve got the right shoes, the right clothes; you’ve even got an extra bottle of water with you.  As you walk up to the dance hall you think to yourself, “I’m completely prepared, right?”

            Then come the jitters. Did I bring everything I was supposed to? What should I do when I get in? How do I interact with the other dancers? Are there things I’m supposed to do, or not supposed to do? What if I offend somebody?!

            Before your brain goes into overdrive, stop and review these next few pieces of salsa etiquette. And remember, these points are good to follow whether in a class or out for a night of dancing on the town!

• First and foremost, personal hygiene is a MUST! Salsa dancing puts you in very close proximity with another human being—maybe even multiple if you’re in a large class (or a lively club)! This means body odor, bad breath and clothes that haven’t been washed in weeks are a no-no. Deodorant is important as well, especially when you consider that you may be sweating up a storm during your lesson. Salsa etiquette says: Shower, brush your teeth and wear deodorant.
• Being friendly is more than just an icebreaker—it can affect how you’re perceived in class. It’s considered rude to decline a dance partner or to be disrespectful of your partner while dancing. This means keep your eyes on your partner’s face, as opposed to other parts of his/her body. Dancing is about communication, making eye contact even more important. Also, unless you came with a partner, don’t hesitate to ask anybody and everybody to dance! In salsa, “the more, the merrier” is an active concept. Salsa etiquette says: Dance with lots of people, but keep your focus on your partner when dancing.
• Be aware of personal space. Nothing can destroy a mood on the dance floor like a couple that keeps bumping into everyone else! If the dance floor is crowded, then dance small. You don’t need to be bouncing one another around the dance floor like a ball and paddle to have a good time. Constant collisions aren’t just a bother—they could potentially be seen as an ego thing or lack of dance etiquette. Salsa Etiquette says: Be respectful of other dancers and share the floor.

Now, take a deep breath, smile, and walk into class knowing that you got this under control! Haven’t signed up for a class yet? Well then, keep these salsa etiquette tidbits in mind and check out the 6 hour salsa boot camp at LearnSalsa.com!

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