Welcome to salsasalsa.org

There are certain rules you need to remember when dancing salsa. Here are some select excerpts from other salsa websites...

 

 

adapted from the original by Joe Wieder http://www.salsaetiquette.com/


Ladies ...
A successful salsa strategy toward dancing all night, apart from knowing how to dance, is to be seen dancing. Guys are generally a shy lot, but if they know you can and will dance, you'll be dancing all night.

 

Smile till it hurts! If you don't look like you're enjoying yourself, you probably won't be!

 

Don't be afraid to make eye contact.

 

Say, "Yes!" to the first dance offer, no matter who it is, and keep on saying it. This is the most important rule! Being picky is counter-productive, so lose the attitude! If you're seen saying no, you'll be left with only the blind and the bold - a small, and not necessarily cute, minority. The point of saying yes every time is to increase your chances of meeting talented, interesting dance partners. If you do this right, good dancers will soon monopolize your time anyway.

 

Ask good dancers to teach you something new! They'll usually be happy to oblige and will seek you out in the future.

 

Guys ...
Find a smiling lady and ask her to dance. Try to make sure that you have learned how to first, and remember - smooth is as good or better than fancy! A couple of basic steps done correctly and on tempo is more fun for your partner than a dozen difficult turns done badly and out of time!

Avoid dancing roughly - like pulling your partner's arm out of its socket. It's bad form. Remember, you want to look good, and you can look really good if you make your partner look good.

 

Make eye contact - dancing is about communication.

Dance with all sorts of partners, it'll make you a better dancer, not to mention, it'll make you seem like a nice guy.

ALSO, if you haven't showered, shaved, or brushed your teeth for a while, it might be a good idea to do that first! You don't want women to be pointing you out for the wrong reasons!

Remember...

It's not cool to stand right ON the dance floor to socialize. Even experienced dancers, who should know better, sometimes stand right on the dance floor talking and drinking. Do what you like, but do it AWAY from the dance floor! A hardwood dance floor should be treated with care. Drinks and metal tipped stilletos on the dance floor are a NO NO! When you spill liquid on a hardwood floor, it becomes a hazardous wet spot. Even when it dries, this spot is pretty much ruined for dancers the rest of the night because it becomes "tacky" and you can't slide across it.

Be nice to fellow dancers and avoid bumping into them. If it's crowded on the floor - and these days most floors are crowded, dance small. Most important, try to remember, your partner is not disposable - don't toss her around like a bowling ball.

If you are a beginner dancer, remember that everyone out there has probably experienced that same sweaty palm, stiff-as-a-board, jittery feeling. It will pass.

If you or your partner mess up a step, get past the urge to argue about who's fault it is. Remember - there are no mistakes! It's ONLY dancing, and everyone's there to have fun.

If you're a woman who's not being asked to dance, try standing nearer the edge of the dance floor; smile, tap your foot, and look like you really NEED to dance to this song. Make eye contact. Dance with the first person who asks. Once you get out there a couple of times with different partners, other potential partners will know you won't turn them down. ALSO, don't be afraid to ask guys to dance. It's cool! 

Learn the Do's and Don'ts of the lessons, dance floor etiquette & being asked to dance

adapted from the original by salsa magic www.salsamagic.co.uk

DO please try and arrive on time for the lessons - ok so its not always possible, but remember that when you arrive late, everyone has to wait while the teacher does a quick "catch-up" for your benefit!

DO ask the teacher taking your class to watch how you cope with the lesson if you feel you are ready to move up a class - and also if you feel that you may be in a class which is too difficult for you.

DON'T put yourself in a class which is too difficult for you - it will only make you frustrated that you are not able to master the moves, and will ultimately spoil your enjoyment (and also that of others) of the class.

DON'T walk across the middle of one class to get to another... please walk round: it only takes a few seconds longer, honest!

DO try and match your dancing to the available space around you, especially on a crowded floor.

DO watch the dancers already on the floor as you walk on to the floor to dance: remember, they are concentrating on other dancers on the floor, and may not have seen you approaching.

DO make sure there is space around you before leading your partner into a particularly floor-hungry maneuver! Remember guys you're the ones doing the steering!

DON'T expect other Salseros (salsa dancers) to move out of your way just because you want to take big steps and do expansive dips and drops.

DON'T forget to say sorry when you bump into another couple, even if you think it wasn't your "fault".

DON'T assume that just because you are dancing on an area of the floor its "yours"! Please try and make way for other dancers as the floor fills up.

DO try and say "Yes" when asked to dance, especially if you are an experienced salsero being asked to dance by a less experienced dancer. Remember that you were once a beginner... and remember too the courage it took to ask someone to dance?!

DO remember to politely explain you need a breather rather than just saying "No" if you've just worked your tail off for six dances, are dripping with sweat, and need a break!

DON'T be afraid to ask anyone to dance, especially if you are a beginner. Dancing with someone who is more experienced than you are is the best way to learn, for both salseras (female dancers) and salseros (male dancers).

DON'T turn down one dancer and then in the same song, say "Yes" to another. This can have a very damaging effect on the morale of the first dancer, especially if they are a beginner! Instead, explain to the second dancer that you've just said "No" to someone, and could you maybe have the next dance?

DON'T only dance with salseros whom you consider to be "as good as you". This will turn you into a very narrowly focused dancer, and ultimately dilute your capabilities.



Salsa Etiquette adapted from the original by Salsa Delights

www.salsadelights.co.uk

The Etiquettes:

If you are asked to dance, you should politely accept. If you do not want to dance when asked, you should politely say no, but should not ignore the person or walk away (manners, manners, manners!!). This is a mature minded environment and everybody is expected to treat each other with respect.

If you say no when asked for a dance, you should ‘generally’ not dance with anyone until the next song.

If a lady says ‘no’ do not pester her, be polite and ask somebody else. If a guy says 'no', don't take it personally or be put off - guys can sometimes dance 5 - 7 songs continuously and may need a breather. Salsa welcomes everybody, the etiquette ensures everybody feels comfortable and relaxed in the environment and, therefore, have a great time.

Most people dance 1 song, then change dance partners or take a rest. However, if you like dancing with the person, then you can ask them to carry on dancing but remember do not monolpolise a partner, other people may want a turn. Both dance partners are expected to say thank you at the end of a dance.

Be considerate to others when you are dancing. On a busy dance floor you need dance to a smaller space, don't go wild dancing like you just been released from the middle of the earth and keep bumping into others (and kindly say sorry, if you do).

Salsa is a close dance, so personal hygiene is very important. We don’t want anyone suffocating when you raise your arms (ok that is a joking …but really we don’t want that happening!!!).

A chewing gum or mint is also a very good idea. You should also carry a small face towel or something to dry yourself if you get a bit sweaty. Believe us, you will get hot and sweaty; don’t say we didn't warn you!! Have fun!!!