Salsa Dancing Etiquette

Just like eating, dancing has its own “manners” at the dance floor. Follow these tips and you will make the Salsa dancing experience much more enjoyable.

Leads / Men
1. Introduce yourself (if taking lessons)
2. Ask politely for a dance, if you are turned down don’t give up
3. Wear deodorant and remember hygiene is important.
4. Take a towel to wipe your sweat
5. Lead the follow into smaller steps if the dance floor is too crowded
6. Test the level of the follow before attempting very complicated moves.
7. Dance at the level of the follow and throw in a few new moves for her to learn and enjoy

Follows / Women
1. Don’t turn down a dance, if possible say YES!
2. Smile and enjoy every dance
3. If no one is asking you to dance, ask them instead
4. Be patient with the lead if they are less experienced than you
5. No handbags while dancing
6. Wear deodorant and remember hygiene is important.

At the Dance Floor
1. Be aware of the other dancers and people around you
2. Adjust the size of your steps and moves according to how crowded the dance floor is (smaller steps for more crowded dance floors)
3. Protect your partner if you see they are about to be knocked down by another dancer
4. Avoid walking through crowded dance floors
5. No drinks – if it spills, it will ruin the dance floor

Here is a pretty good Salsa website with more Salsa etiquette tips from Toronto Dance Salsa:
http://www.torontodancesalsa.ca/articles/Salsa-Dancing-Etiquette.php