Dance Etiquette-Unwanted Advise

Here’s one more topic about salsa dance etiquette that I think is important to mention. I see this happen often at salsa studios, during the free salsa lesson at salsa clubs, and it also occurs on the dance floor as well. What am I talking about? I’m talking about the salseros who feel that they need to teach every salsera they dance with how to dance salsa. These women are usually shocked at how some people take salsa so seriously.

At the same time the same thing can happen to a salsero. The woman may tell the guy how to lead when she herself isn’t a good dancer! Its the woman’s job to follow the lead no matter how good or bad the lead is. If the guy doesn’t lead you to go somewhere, then don’t go there. It's not going to help the guy if you anticipate things and do things automatically. If you follow the lead, then the only reason you didn’t go where he wanted you to go is because he didn’t give you a good lead. Its his job to figure it out and it is your excuse to say “that’s where I felt you were leading me.”

Here’s a good rule of thumb.
Unless you are the dance instructor giving the lesson, or unless the other person asks you how to dance, don’t offer any advice. Just let them dance! Most people dance for health and to have fun and they are not aspiring to become a professional dancer or a performer, like you or me.

If you need to tell the other person how to dance. It is better etiquette to ask if they want your advice. Example: “Would you like me to give you a tip about ______?” (fill in the blanks) Your feedback will be better received if the person receiving your advice actually wants it.

There are exceptions to this.. If you know something is dangerous where the other person can get hurt by doing the wrong move, by all means tell them.

Next time you go to a club, if you are one of these dancers who do this, try to refrain from that and just have fun and let others enjoy their dance with you!