Dance Etiquette-what is it? and why should I care?

Have you ever walked into a salsa club and wondered how so many people can dance around each other without hurting one another, specially when there are arms swinging, feet moving and people spinning a hundred miles per hour? The answer is simple: it is called dancing etiquette.
Dancing etiquette is an unspoken set of rules when you dance, sort of like social rules. The way we learn these norms is the same way that we learn social rules of behavior--through a process of socialization, which can take time to acquire.

There are a lot of dance etiquette rules when we go dancing to a club. I will only touch on a few in this blog, and I hope that you can remember them the next time you go Salsa-dancing.

When we dance Salsa, we share a very close space with another person and with other dancers. One very important Salsa Etiquette Rule is to have fresh breath, wear deodorant and to be clean when we attend a club. We do this to be respectful of those around us or If we want people to enjoy dancing with us, and continue dancing with us in the future.

Another very important Salsa Etiquette Rule is to respect dancers' space on the dance floor when you are dancing. It does not matter what style of Salsa you may dance, such as L.A. Style, New York Style, Colombian Style, Cuban Style, or Mexican Style, 'on 1' or 'on 2', or if you are a performer or a beginner. This is a rule for everyone.

If there is the space on the dance floor, feel free to take up as much space as you wish or do as many spins or hand styling as you wish. However, if the club is crowded, we must refrain from dancing 'big'. Keep every thing small. Dance in one spot of the floor. Don't change your location all of a sudden when another couple does not see you switching directions on the floor. This could cause you or your partner to get hurt. If more space opens up, use it, but if someone else wants to get on the dance floor, be courteous and share the space--don't be a selfish dancer...and PLEASE refrain yourself from doing the typical dip at end of a song if you are dancing with a follow who is a beginner. I have seen girls picking up their foot too high in the air and hitting someone. I have also seen girls put all their weight down on their partners and fall on the floor, along with their partner.

Lastly, if you perspire a lot when you dance, make sure you bring a towel and an extra shirt. It is not pleasant when a dancer perspires to the point where his/her shirt is soaked and then they ask you to dance. Not only that, but when he or she spins, sweat goes flying on the their partner's face - not pleasant at all.

In conclusion, whether you are just beginning to dance salsa or whether you are an advanced dancer or performer, be thoughtful and respectful of ALL people dancing Salsa!!