Dance (floor) faux pas

[SDsalsaguy]

So…what dance floor faux pas have you maid?

I made one last night. While seated and speaking to someone earlier in the evening I had mentioned that there weren’t really any women in the club whom I could really let loose with. I commented that I didn’t mind dancing with people of all levels, but that it wasn’t the same as someone who I didn’t have to worry about/look after on the floor.* Well, a while later I was dancing with this same woman when I saw a friend come in, who I absolutely adore dancing with and who I hadn’t seen in a couple of months, and out of my mouth comes “now my night is perfect.” Well, at the conclusion of that dance my partner of the moment made it quite clear how offended she was that I would say such a thing while dancing with her. I certainly hadn’t meant it in that way but have to admit that I’d be miffed too if our positions were reversed. So there you have it…dance floor faux pas #1.

So who’ll fess up to #2?



* Of course I always look after my partners on the floor! What I meant was someone who I didn’t have to really think about or work at getting her to do her part.

[Vince A]

Of course . . . I never do things like that :roll:

By the way . . . how did yur foot taste???

[SDsalsaguy]

Of course . . . I never do things like that :roll:

By the way . . . how did yur foot taste???
I'm going to have to apolagize later today since, at the time, she used that as reason to leave the club (mind you, she would habve probably left about that time anyway). I will say this though . . . it *did* end up being a perfect night thereafter! :D

[Vince A]

Of course . . . I never do things like that :roll:

By the way . . . how did yur foot taste???
I'm going to have to apolagize later today since, at the time, she used that as reason to leave the club (mind you, she would habve probably left about that time anyway). I will say this though . . . it *did* end up being a perfect night thereafter! :D
Care to enlighten us some . . . or, did the yamika come off????

[SDsalsaguy]

Care to enlighten us some . . . or, did the yamika come off????
Yes . . . when I went to bed! :tongue:

Really though, it was just that the person who came in is one of my absolute favorites to dance with and, especially given the relative dearth of long-time regulars, I got to dance with her a lot . . . and that, in my book, made for a perfect evening!

[Vince A]

I'm very glad you cleared that up for us :wink:

I've said things at a competition before, and the person that I was talking about was sitting right behind me hearing every word said . . . I learned a valuable lesson that day . . . and have never repeated such again!

Now, if I don't have anything complimentary to say . . . I keep the trap shut!

[SwinginAngel]

We held a dance at my school and we had these two really good lindy dancers come to teach a lesson beforehand. After the dance started, I asked the D.J. who was also the president of our swing club if I could practice lindy with him during a song an he replied in the affirmative. After the song ended, he said into the mic "This next song is for those of you who want to practice lindy." I assumed we would dance that song together and so when another member of the club asked me to dance I declined because I thought it would be inconsiderate to the D.J. At this point though I am starting to wonder if he was planning on dancing with me after all and I tried to catch his eye to ask. Then the lindy hop instructor asked me to dance :shock: . I wanted to dance with him more than anything! I had danced with him before and the dance felt so smooth and effortless, not to mention fun. I didn't want to offend the DJ but at the same time I did not want to decline the dance. I frantically kept looking back to the DJ to discern if he had any intention of dancing with me while the instructor waited. I never caught the D.J.'s attention and eventually the instructor walked off :doh: . Normally I don't refuse any dance, but this time not only did I refuse two dances but I refused a dance with someone I would have loved dancing with. To make it worse, the D.J. didn't dance with me either. He danced with someone else while I sat the song out :headwall: . I haven't danced with that instructor since and he doesn't even acknowledge me at dances :( . I contribute it to his snobbery as well my faux pas.

[salsachinita]

I am guilty for dumping a newbie for my favourite lead :oops: !

This favourite lead of mine is known to be a snob with 'I am in love with myself' attitude. Unlike myslef & many other die-hard salsa fans, this guy only dances when [A] he wants to look good in front of his friends/girls/crowd (so his follower needs to make him look good); or [B] he is trying to woo a girl (she doesn't have to be able to dance at all, as long as she's cute).

As much as I dislike his personality, he remains one of my absolute favourite leads to dance with, as he's super smooth with his own styles. But he only really dances with me to certain songs.

So if I had ageed to a dance with a newbie/friend before the song begins, when Mr. Love-myself is present AND our song came on, I would (99% of the time) excuse myself to my friend/newbie and dance with HIM.

very bad, I know......

[Sagitta]

Yup!! You're just encoraging that snob along. There are certain songs that I like and certain ones that I don't, so I can see this guy wanting to dance to particular songs, but to drop the person you're with. Och!! And still keep doing it! :(

[dancergal]

My big problem.....anticipating a lead. I try very hard not to, but sometimes it just happens. A leader starts something that feels like a certain move to me, I start to follow through with it, and it turns out to be a different move and I mess it up. I try to say, "sorry," I feel really stupid.....It's so hard to stop. How do I do it? Most guys are nice about it and understand, but some just give me that "look." :x

[salsachinita]

but some just give me that "look." :x

I know that look :shock: ! These are generally the guys from studios (advanced ones!! Newbies are soooooo nice & humble) who don't make it to my favourite list :wink: .

Now I just go with my mind BLANK and my body 'open' to whatever they throw at me. If I get it, the leads are good & I follow well. If I miss/mess up, I know my rhythm well enough to do something else instead & still keep with the music :P . If they like it, they will dance with me again. if they don't, oh *shrug* there are others there. 8)

[salsachinita]

Yup!! You're just encoraging that snob along. There are certain songs that I like and certain ones that I don't, so I can see this guy wanting to dance to particular songs, but to drop the person you're with. Och!! And still keep doing it! :(

:oops: guilty as charged :oops: !

But I am nice to the person I 'dropped' and always go back to them right after the song......

You will understand if you see this guy in action......

[Swing Kitten]

A couple of things that has helped me lessen my lead anticipation is to focus on listening, dancing with people I don't know, and even asking a lead buddy to help me out after the dance and run me through some moves with the intent of keeping me on my toes.

practice not knowing what to expect. If you're not expecting anything in particular how can you possibly anticipate a lead?

[Sagitta]

Yup!! You're just encoraging that snob along. ...to drop the person you're with. Och!! And still keep doing it! :(

:oops: guilty as charged :oops: !

But I am nice to the person I 'dropped' and always go back to them right after the song......

You will understand if you see this guy in action......

You did not finish the tale!! If you go back and make up then at least it's not so bad!! :)

[Sagitta]

As swingkitten said, dancergal, dancing with people you don't know really helps. Tonight I danced with someone who always has previously danced with just one guy. I don't think that she enjoyed the first dance, and admitted as much to me that she was having a hard time as she was used to one person. Towards the end of the dance we were beginning to get into a groove so I did a second dance!! That was cool!! :)

[dancergal]

Thanks for all the advice. Actually, I dance with a lot of people I don't know all the time. We go to a lot of different dances and dance conventions where there are a lot of new people, so it's not really that. I don't seem to have a problem with all of them. Just once in a while I'll get someone that throws me with moves that are really different or maybe it's their lead. I don't know, but it drives me nuts. I just need to try harder to not anticipate even when it feels like a move I know.