Eye Contact

[brujo]

When I started to dance salsa, my friend, who learned dancing from latin men, said 'Ladies, look at the man in the eyes and smile', the men did the same. I love making eye contact when I dance, but I noticed that many girls don't smile nor make eye contact when dancing. These are some of the most proficient dancers I know, did I miss a class about not looking like you are having fun?

How much eye contact do you make when dancing, generally ( not with a significant other )?

[peachexploration]

When I started to dance salsa, my friend, who learned dancing from latin men, said 'Ladies, look at the man in the eyes and smile', the men did the same. I love making eye contact when I dance, but I noticed that many girls don't smile nor make eye contact when dancing. These are some of the most proficient dancers I know, did I miss a class about not looking like you are having fun?

How much eye contact do you make when dancing, generally ( not with a significant other )?

At first, when I started taking classes about a year ago, it was hard for me. Before Salsa, I really wouldn't dance that close to anyone and definitely didn't look at anyone in the eye. (Afraid of what I might see, I guess.) :oops: I know, that's awful. :D Anyway, it's very important to do that. It breaks the ice, initiates "dance" communication ignited by smile or a wink, etc. So my answer would be 90% of the time unless it's the 10% where I'm doing a flip or something. :wink:

[youngsta]

I ALWAYS keep eye contact with my partner! I usually have a big ole grin too! :lol: I use my peripheral vision to play traffic cop; all those years of football pay off in my salsa dancing! :wink:

[Frodo]

When I started to dance salsa, my friend, who learned dancing from latin men, said 'Ladies, look at the man in the eyes and smile', the men did the same. I love making eye contact when I dance, but I noticed that many girls don't smile nor make eye contact when dancing. These are some of the most proficient dancers I know, did I miss a class about not looking like you are having fun?

How much eye contact do you make when dancing, generally ( not with a significant other )?
I probably average around 50% (where eye contact is relevant) - it might be higher with better peripheral vision and less need to concentrate to get steps right though.

The smile thing mentioned is perhaps more important than the volume of eye contact. If my partner make eye contact from time to time and smiles then, I'm happy.

[redhead]

Eye contact is important, but for the ladies there's something else to think about. A couple of times my smile was misinterpreted, so my friends had to "rescue" me as I didn't want to give anyone my phone number! :lol:
Seriously, eye contact helps to follow better, and a smile to shows that you enjoy the dance.
One of my (guy) friends asked me what men I consider good leaders(those he knew). I named about 15 guys I really enjoy dancing with, and he looked really surprised. About half of those men are considered best dancers, but the other half doesn't even know that many steps, and probably I'm more advanced then they are.
Only after that did I realize how much a leader's attitude means to me. Look at your partner and not around (just don't stare), smile, show that you're having fun and appreciate your partner dancing with you, and you'll always have enough dance partners!

[Redheadedmermaid]

I love the eye contact thing, but I think for many people they find it hard to make eye contact (on or off the dance floor) and it could be a confidence thing.

Personally I had a problem with that and try to make eye contact whenever the guy looks at me because I look at their face whenever I can. That's just generally how I am anyway. I love the eye contact thing. I find it make you follow easier somehow, and you are really dancing "with" them.

The added bonus is you get to see some beautiful eyes.

[pygmalion]

Eye contact is important, but for the ladies there's something else to think about. A couple of times my smile was misinterpreted, so my friends had to "rescue" me as I didn't want to give anyone my phone number! :lol:


Amen to this. I have also had quite a few men misread my open and friendly nature as something more amorous. :shock: I still go for the eye contact, though. It makes me feel more like I'm dancing WITH the lead. :D

[brujo]

Eye contact is important, but for the ladies there's something else to think about. A couple of times my smile was misinterpreted, so my friends had to "rescue" me as I didn't want to give anyone my phone number! :lol:


Amen to this. I have also had quite a few men misread my open and friendly nature as something more amorous. :shock: I still go for the eye contact, though. It makes me feel more like I'm dancing WITH the lead. :D

Well, then they are idiots. As for me, I'll always dance like I'm in love with the woman ( or man ) that I'm leading.... :twisted:

[dancergal]

Eye contact is important, but for the ladies there's something else to think about. A couple of times my smile was misinterpreted, so my friends had to "rescue" me as I didn't want to give anyone my phone number! :lol:


Amen to this. I have also had quite a few men misread my open and friendly nature as something more amorous. :shock: I still go for the eye contact, though. It makes me feel more like I'm dancing WITH the lead. :D

Me too! I love eye contact but sometimes I just try to look at the lead's face because the eye contact with the smile really gets me in trouble. Some men really think I like them..... :shock:

[David]

Hi, new here. :D

Would have to say that eye contact is a pretty big thing for me. I try to spend all the attention I safely can on keeping eye contact with my partner. I find nothing says "I really wish I was somewhere else!" more than refusing to make eye contact with your partner. That is at least the feeling I get when ever I dance with a girl who wont at least look at me, thankfully that doesn't happen too often. :wink:

And don't forget the smile... :D

[SwinginBoo]

You know the eye contact thing for me is always different. There are times when constant eye contact is comfortable and natural...other times it's creepy and unnatural. I think it's important to make sure you are dancing "with" your partner and that he/she knows it. I don't think that if someone doesn't give you constant eye contact that there is reason to believe he/she isn't dancing "with" you. I think someone said before that it could be a confidence thing, or like I said sometimes it's just WEIRD.

[SDsalsaguy]

Just wanted to say welcome to the DF family David! :D

[David]

You know the eye contact thing for me is always different. There are times when constant eye contact is comfortable and natural...other times it's creepy and unnatural. I think it's important to make sure you are dancing "with" your partner and that he/she knows it. I don't think that if someone doesn't give you constant eye contact that there is reason to believe he/she isn't dancing "with" you. I think someone said before that it could be a confidence thing, or like I said sometimes it's just WEIRD.

Ahh, a classic case of me writing what I was thinking without really thinking about what I was writing. The whole constant, almost longing, type thing didn't even cross my mind. I know exactly what you mean though, it can be as off putting as no eye contact (some times more so). I guess what I was trying to get at was making sure your partner knows that that dance is for them and until it is over you're not looking for friends/next partner/drink.

Just wanted to say welcome to the DF family David! :D

Thanks 8)

[Salsero_AT]

When i started dancing i had a hard time.... trying to lead....keeping the rythm....remember the moves..... i always was VERY concentrated so i think i did not smile a lot and was very busy so i had not much time to look into anyones eyes :oops: but i tried when i remembered it ... ;)
and i think it is very much a matter of confidence... when you become better you enjoy dancing much more and you smile a lot and you enjoy looking into the eyes of your partner which is a wonderful thing :)

[salsarhythms]

I wrote an article here a while back and one of the main
points I brought up was about Eye Contact.

You can read the article by going here:

http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=194&highlight=

Now, I do understand what some of the ladies are saying
about giving off mixed signals, but...

...to me you gotta take the good with the bad.

I mean, that's like saying that you will stop dancing because
of some bad experiences...

I think that after a while you kind of know who these guys are
and you can avoid it...

What does everyone else think?

[Sagitta]

I agree with salsarhythmns. You have good experiences along with the bad, in whatever you do. That's life.

To me the communication between follower and leader makes a world of difference. I don't think you necessarily have to stare at each other and have this big patently false cheesy grin on your face. I've danced with people and they have the same expression on their face no matter what I do, and barely look at me. I thought it was me, being the bumbling newbie that I am, but I saw the same thing when they danced with others! I don't see the point of simply executing moves with no passion/emotion/other interaction!! Perhaps those people are enjoying themselves but to me they seem disinterested. I don't derive any enjoyment in that at all, and so I dance only with those people if there is no-one else around.

[salsachinita]

Another great article, Fernando!

(hey, what happened to those cool 'we are not worthy' emoticons... :? ?)

[pygmalion]

The smilie database got corrupted a few days back. Don't worry, the database can be fixed and the emoticons will be back. :)