Top Ten Tips for the Dancefloor

Salsa is exciting, refreshing, and maybe a little intimidating for the beginner but if you want to stick with it then you have to obey some basic rules of Dance Floor Etiquette. This may not a be-all end-all list, however, many rules for the dance floor are socially obvious rules of conduct. So let’s get started.

• 10.) “Can I have some space please!?” Or “Arms width Apart please!!”

  This one goes out to the couples – Don’t Crowd up on Me. Salsa is a dance that while considered spot dancing is dynamic and moving. To execute the moves properly you need to have space to do it. Unless you’re dancing Merengue or Bachata, you should try to give yourself at least a 3 foot radius from other couples. It can be done in tighter quarters and believe me I’ve been in situations where we may have had a couple inches between couples but it’s not as much fun.

• 9.) Spinning Elbows of Death

  Sorry couples I have to call you out again. Please no crazy moves when you have no room to do them. Sometimes you will go to a club that is packed with people and there is little to no space between you. The fact that you know a crazy move doesn’t justify you using it. Leaders you need to be aware of your surroundings. Spinning the follower around like a weapon of war will get you quickly ostracized from the salsa community. Bumping into another couple happens all the time but elbowing them for 5 or 6 minutes straight will get pretty tiresome and ebb their patience.

• 8.) Spectators belong in the Stands

  “Hey salsa is cool. I enjoy it so much I’d like to stand directly in the middle of the dance floor and watch them all! Actually I think the 7 other people I came with would like to do the same. Sweet!” Don’t be that guy. This is not a regular bar/club scene where you can all stand in the middle of the dance floor and gyrate slowly. The dance floor is for the Dancers. The current method of exorcising these intruders is a united effort to threaten with a barrage of elbows, spins, and kicks. So watch it!

• 7.) Keep your eyes to yourself

  Don’t stare at your partner. It’s uncomfortable, it’s creepy, and it’s just bizarre. That doesn’t mean you don’t look at your partner. In fact the opposite is also a faux pa. Staring at other couples, looking at the floor, looking at yourself in a mirror are just as bad as staring straight into your partner’s eyes for a 6 minute song. The rule is: Do not stare at any one spot for too long. Theoretically if you stare at her chest you can see all areas around her BUT DO NOT DO THIS as it is socially awkward and you might get slapped. The best method for being spatially aware is using your peripheral vision. As a leader you need to watch for the followers reactions to leads and watch out for other couples. Now with that being said the “Salsa Stare” can be used effectively if used sparingly. When you do a cool move you can shoot her a stare, or if you being playful then yes engage her. But a deer in headlights is not your goal; she may be hot tamale or he may be a stud muffin but please you’re making me ill.

• 6.) B.O. is a NO-NO

  Sure we sweat and on women I find it irresistibly sexy for some odd reason. Sweating is natural, Stinking is too natural. Please, deodorant is your friend …and not the organic kind either. Oh and if you’re into the hippie natural crystal rubbing deodorizer then maybe you should stay home ’cause it doesn’t work. It may sound harsh but maybe in a few years they’ll ban BO in bars like they did smoking. Or have a BO section either way. Unless you just stepped on their foot, if you see your partners eyes watering up it’s probably from some noxious odor you’re producing. If the guy doesn’t lead you in anymore turns or the girl keeps running away, it’s probably time to freshen up there, buddy.

• 5.) Territorial Salsa Boyfriends

  Yes I understand she’s your girlfriend or wife. She’s also the only great follower at the club. Let her down from the tower to dance. Being over “protective”, bordering on control freak, will ruin your relationship. I know, guys, it can be hard to see your girl dancing with someone better than you or girls for you to see your guy smiling and flirting and talking….”you’re a jerk” says Katie. If you are really dedicated to your dancing then you need to dance with a lot of different people with varied styles. Plus in the end they are gonna have to come home with you ’cause you have the keys to the car …so :-P.

• 4.) “We don’t need no education” – Pink Floyd, duh!!

  Try to refrain from teaching on the floor. If he/she is a friend then fine but wait till the song is over and do it off the floor. It’s just as bad as people standing in the middle of the floor not dancing; it messes up the Feng Shui. * An exception does exist if the leader is not leading you properly and it hurts. Either you tell him to be gentler “because you’re hurting me” or stop the dance and get out of there. He’ll learn.

• 3.) Cigarettes don’t mask the fact that you’re a terrible dancer

  Many Salseros reading this might not believe it but there are some individuals with even less sense than the middle-of-the-dance-floor spectators. These individuals wield hot embers, ever ready to singe you with ash. For those in big cities who’ve banned smoking in bars, you’re lucky. For the rest of us, watch out. Mostly because it’s never just one case of cigarette a la Salsa; they come in packs (pun somewhat intended). This goes for those individuals who bring drinks on the floor too!!

• 2.) Gimme a Break

  Ok, I understand you like me, great. You think I’m a good dancer, cool. Please, don’t ask me to dance 4 songs in a row with you. I believe 2 songs is the maximum and even that can be a little much. Even the best salsa dancers don’t dance to every single song. I need to take a water break, it’s not a triathlon. A good rule of thumb is to space out the dances with the same partner; say 30 to 45 minutes or more. You don’t get an award for dancing with the same girl/guy all night. Again, creepiness is a factor.

• 1.) Kisses cost extra

  Ian: This one is from Katie and I was there when it happened to about 10 girls through the course of the night. I thought it was hilarious. They didn’t so much.

  Katie: DON’T KISS MY SHOULDER OR HAND OR NECK WHILE DANCING. Look if we had a great dance then a hug is fine maybe a kiss on the cheek*.

  *Ian: This works well when guys have an accent or are foreign. Doesn’t work all the time when you Caucasian. I can personally attest to that. sadness…

  Katie: But putting me into a cuddle and kissing my shoulder. Or going into the copa and kissing my hand or dipping me, staring into my eyes and saying “F*#k….you’re a good dancer” is not cool!

  Ian: But hilarious!

  Katie: Restrain yourself please. The object is to woo me with your dancing ability not your gimmicky and disturbing antics. Otherwise I’ll tell my boyfriend and he’ll beat you up.

  Ian: Wait, what?!

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