The Language of Salsa
Have you as a follow ever danced with a lead that is completely disconnected from you?How does it feel? Read on and you might find this read interesting.
All characters in this story are entirely fictional.
It was another Friday night at Hefe, , where the music hit you like a shot of espresso and the AC struggled valiantly against the collective body heat of enthusiastic dancers. Maria nursed her overpriced mojito at the bar, playing her favorite game of “Spot the Drama” on the dance floor. After ten years of salsa dancing, she had seen enough awkward partnerships to write a sitcom.
Tonight’s entertainment came in the form of Carlos, whose dancing style could best be described as “caffeinated octopus meets TikTok challenge.” He had just asked Sofia to dance, and the first thing that came to her mind was, “here we go”. So , she kind of knew what she was getting herself into. Song started, maria thought,” is he on 1, on 2, on 5!? “, “um a double turn? “. She hated doing double turns on that floor.
Carlos, bless his heart, was wearing what appeared to be his “lucky” dance shirt – a silk number with half of the buttons undone , showing his top notch chest bush,(looking like a real on2 dancer now) offering glimpses of a gold chain that bounced enthusiastically with every move.
Sofia, meanwhile, looked like someone who had accidentally stepped onto a mechanical bull rather than a dance floor. Her expression cycled through the five stages of dance grief: confusion, shock, bargaining (with the universe to make the song shorter), resignation, and finally – desperate humor.
Every time Sofia found the her basic , Carlos would launch into his shines routines and undoubtedly defying Salsa etiquette.
“Watch this!” his body language screamed, and his shines looked like they would never stop, Sofia’s eyes widened with the universal look of “I did not sign up for this,” while nearby couples diplomatically expanded their dance radius to avoid any potential collision.
When the song finally ended (though Sofia would later swear it had lasted approximately t10 minutes), Carlos bowed with the flourish of a master showman. Sofia managed a smile that seemed to say, “Thanks, and please never ask me to dance again dude.” She speed-walked back to her friends, who were already preparing emergency shots and sympathetic hugs.
With a grin, she finished her mojito and headed to the dance floor. Maybe later she’d even give Carlos a dance – after he’d worn himself out a bit. After all, everyone had to learn somehow that salsa, like life, was less about showing off and more about finding your rhythm with another person.
Besides, she thought, these were the stories that made the best dance floor legends, told and retold at countless salsa socials to come. And somewhere in the city, Sofia was probably already starting her story with, “You won’t believe what happened to me at Hefe tonight…”
So, was Carlos wrong? He wasn’t wrong-entirely, you are allowed to do as many shines as you want but there is obviously a line to be either crossed or respected. If you as the lead dance with someone new, you must have a conversation with your follow through your moves. You should get a feel for your follow’s level of dancing, especially when dancing salsa or another lead heavy type of dance. Do a single turn, walk her, cross body lead, keep it simple, simple looks slow, elegant and framboyant in etiquette.
Next dance, don’t just dance, have a conversation.
