Eye Contact

[danceguy]

Although this question could be relevent for any style of partner dancing - since I'm just doing Salsa these days I thought I'd ask it here:

How much (or how little) eye contact does everyone make when they dance? It really dawned on me tonight how little I actually do this when a lady mentioned that I should make more eye contact and smile! :?

I kept thinking "hey, I smile, and I make eye contact..." but as I thought more about it, I realized that sometimes I freeze up while I'm dancing - especially if it is with someone I have never danced with before - like this same lady who mentioned this to me tonight.

I've thought about it after the dance and I know in my case - its simply because I'm afraid I'm being rude if I make too much eye contact. In my day to day life I rarely make direct eye contact - usually I'm watching people with my peripheral vision to keep them in check. I have a very old world sense of ethics - so if someone really stares at me, I take it as a challenge which usually results in me giving them the "mal de ojo" in return. :o

I know I get uncomfortable when someone stares at me - however this is Salsa dancing which is romantic and sensual...and the hardest part for me is overcoming my shyness. :oops:

So for the Salseras - how much (or how little) eye contact do you like when you dance with a guy? And for the men - what is your take on this?

I always make a point to look into my partner's eyes a few times during the dance, but I've noticed that some women (like the one I was talking to today) seemed a bit disappointed when I kept turning away.

I feel like an idiot for being so worried about leering at them - so any thoughts or advice on this would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

SG

[MacMoto]

How much (or how little) eye contact does everyone make when they dance? It really dawned on me tonight how little I actually do this when a lady mentioned that I should make more eye contact and smile! :?

I kept thinking "hey, I smile, and I make eye contact..." but as I thought more about it, I realized that sometimes I freeze up while I'm dancing - especially if it is with someone I have never danced with before - like this same lady who mentioned this to me tonight.

I've thought about it after the dance and I know in my case - its simply because I'm afraid I'm being rude if I make too much eye contact. In my day to day life I rarely make direct eye contact - usually I'm watching people with my peripheral vision to keep them in check. I have a very old world sense of ethics - so if someone really stares at me, I take it as a challenge which usually results in me giving them the "mal de ojo" in return. :o

I know I get uncomfortable when someone stares at me - however this is Salsa dancing which is romantic and sensual...and the hardest part for me is overcoming my shyness. :oops:

So for the Salseras - how much (or how little) eye contact do you like when you dance with a guy?

Ah, one of my current favourite topics!

I have been focusing on this very thing for the last month or so, really making the point of maintaining eye contact as I move. Of course eye contact is broken during turns and cross body leads, but I try to re-establish eye contact at the end of each move. I've heard it described as "sticky eyes" -- you imagine that your eyes are connected to your partner's eyes with an elastic cord. You break eye contact only at the last moment when you have to look away but seek your partner's eyes again as soon as you physically can, as if the cord is pulling your eyes back to his. Strangely (or maybe not so strange...), since I started doing this, my dancing has improved dramatically. I seem to be able to follow the lead so much better, and it also makes each dance a much more sensual experience (and I love it!). :D

I have noticed that, like you, some leaders seem to feel awkward about direct eye contact. When I dance with someone like that, I try to catch his eye and give him a big smile as I do so to signal that I don't mind him looking back into my eyes at all. When the leader is clearly a beginner worried about getting the steps wrong, I go for a more direct approach and tell him: "look at me -- when you dance salsa, you look at your partner, not your feet!", again with a big smile.

If you are getting a different signal from the follower (if eye contact seems to make her uncomfortable), then it's probably a good idea not to stare too much, but otherwise I'd say stop worrying and just go for it! After all, I think salsa dancing is and should look like flirtation turned into an art form, and eye contact is a big part of that.

Can you have too much eye contact? Well, when the leader either does not know many moves or is not interested in moves and stay in closed hold for the entire song, it can become more like "staring" than "eye contact". In this situation, I may deliberately break eye contact and look slightly down/away for a moment now and again (as if I feel a bit shy), but always looking up again and into the partner's eyes (as if I can't help my eyes being drawn to them) and smile. It's really a bit of playacting, of course, but the effect is very sexy, I can tell you! :wink:

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

How much (or how little) eye contact does everyone make when they dance?

Hi SG,

To me the level of eye contact depends on a certain number of things, however, I will narrow it down to two:

a) the song
b) my partners feedback

If I´m dancing a turbo salsa, usually either she´s turning or I´m turning. I don´t establish much eye contact because I usually only have a split second to look at her. In fact, I don´t really look into her eyes, just in the general direction of her face.

With slower salsas this is a different story. My level of eye contact depends not only on my mood, but on her feedback. If I see she´s "eye contact shy" I try not to look at her much so she won´t feel uncomfortable. If she has no problem with it, I do it as much as possible. I generally use a lot of eye contact - much more than average. I love to have "silent conversations" with my partner. Besides that, it makes me feel like we´re dancing together and not in front of each other.

I´ve danced with girls where eye contact was almost a 100% (it felt great). You have to be very careful though because some girls start suspecting that you like them in a romantic way. You can usually sense this, when this happens, I just start turning my head, very little eye contact from there onwards. Women are just naturally conceited, so you should be careful... :lol:

Anyway, I can assure you that I can only get my salsa fix when there is at least 75% eye contact.

[Sagitta]

Eye contact!! Hmm...It is quite apparent to me that a lot of people are not used to salsa/merengue/bachata/cha cha as sensual/romatic dances. These dances are executed at a technical level, but not from within. (I talked with someone from Barbados yesterday night about the latin culture and dancing vs dancing...dancing with moves and dancing to the music...) Also, in addition to beginners who keep on looking down and don't know what they are doing (so I smile and ask them to maintain eye contact), there are those who are uncomfortable doing this. A follow mentioned this, while dancing with her, and so when we maintained eye contact she would break into almost laughter. In a case like this one I increase the eye contact quotient over time, though I prefer lots of eye contact.

[vey]

I LOVE EYE CONTACT.
I think it’s an essential part of any sensual partner dance, it facilitates connection, togetherness, attention to your partner. It doesn’t have to be a 100% stare but it has to be frequent and long enough to carry the message “I’m with you” (emotionally and physically). I can usually feel when a person makes eye contact for a different reason than that- than I have to modulate mine accordingly, but misunderstandings, if still appear, can usually be cleared later....

[salsarhythms]

I completely agree with Vey...

Eye Contact is such a crucial aspect that I can't emphazise it
enough...

If it's a new dance partner, it may be a bit awkward so you will
need to use common sense, but if it's someone you've danced
with before and have a good relationship with, then go ahead...

Anyway, if you don't have a good connection why dance with
them anyway??

[danceguy]

Thank you for the replies everyone - its given me a lot to think about.

As I am a newcomer to the Salsa scene in my area, I don't know a lot of people yet and a lot of times the crowd varies night to night. So I usually end up dancing with women I've never seen before - and I go out of my way to do this as I feel its important for my development as a dancer. I don't want to be someone who only dances with a certain crowd - I enjoy dancing with everyone. :)

In observing the more experienced dancers (the ones that I admire for their particular style), I've noticed that they always maintain really good eye contact when they dance. I can see and also feel the connection between them, and it is very sensual!

As some of you mentioned, there is the possibility of someone thinking that you're coming on to them - but isn't that one of the great mysteries of life? I'm always a gentleman when I dance and very respectful of my partner, if anything I tend to be a bit reserved. I'll work on making more eye contact next time I go out dancing and "see" what happens. :wink:

I'm not into complicated patterns or fancy spins, but I am working on having smooth basics and a unique style - and I want to make sure the ladies know that I see and appreciate them. :P

Best,

SG

[salsachinita]

I go out of my way to do this as I feel its important for my development as a dancer. I don't want to be someone who only dances with a certain crowd - I enjoy dancing with everyone. :)

:D I love this policy of yours, SG! You will go far with this kind of open attitude :D !

I can't stress enough about the importance of this open attitude to EVERYBODY (of ALL levels) of the salsa scene. I truely believe this is the most effective way to break the current 'cliques' seen around the world, thus building a better dance community globally 8) ! (which is something I am working towards......hopfully I will see the positive result in this life time :wink: )

[Sagitta]

I completely agree with Vey...

Anyway, if you don't have a good connection why dance with
them anyway??

Perhaps the person whom you have asked to dance has never danced before and you are introducing them to dancing? I can remember how it was when I started out dancing. :oops: :oops: I'm not that bad anymore, but if others allowed me to come whom I am as a dancer I should be generous enough to help others who have the desire to reach that goal.

[salsarhythms]

Yes Sagitta you're right...

What I meant to say was if you don't have a good connection with
someone that you already danced with, but no matter what you do
you can't seem to ever get the connection...

But yes, you should always help out someone just learning...

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

I'm not that bad anymore, but if others allowed me to come whom I am as a dancer I should be generous enough to help others who have the desire to reach that goal.

Sagitta, you have a great attitude towards dancing and I can assure you that this is very rare within the dance community (at least where I dance). Most people when they start to feel confident in their dance stills tend to stop dancing with people less experienced/skilled than themselves. Their ego gets bigger and bigger…

People will remember you because they realize that, as a more experienced dancer, you were willing to dance with them. They will be ever grateful. I love seeing the smile on my partner’s face when this happens. It feels great.

Of course this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dance with people more experienced than yourself. This is also extremely important because you learn a lot from them; however you should never forget about the beginners.

Regards,

[capricorndancer]

Hi all,
Yeah, eye-contact is one of those very subjective things. I've been dancing in Detroit for the last few years, and it wasn't until I went to the 03 Congress in Paris that I realised how little eye-contact women make in The D. On a populational level, European women are a lot less challenged by the prospect of eye-contact with a stranger (I also toured Europe last year, and found similar readiness in most places in Europe).
Most people agree that making eye-contact changes dancing, a lot, and usually for the better . . . from a neurological perspective, this is unavoidable; eye-contact in primates causes the release of histamine in the brain (yes, the same stuff as the immune system uses to cause inflammation, but that's a whole different story. . .). The role of histamine in behavior appears to be two-fold: eating and stress response (fight or flight sound familiar?), but the whole system is a lot more complex than that, of course. Strange that many dancers like it (eye-contact) so much. Maybe some of us are harder to intimidate . . . and maybe the heightened levels of stress hormones push us up higher than otherwise, or even facillitate learning . . .

Hope you found this interesting. Check out
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/gquery/gquery.fcgi
if you want to dig for yourself

CD

[Sagitta]

Welcome to DF capricorndancer!! :D I did find what you say intriguing, however, it would be helpful if you gave some search terms that would pull up information similar to the one that you shared with us. Not being familiar with this field I'm not sure what are the most effective search terms to use!!

[capricorndancer]

Thanks for the welcome note . . .

As for terms, I used various combinations of neurotransmitter, eye contact, primate, release, stress, anxiety. You'll no doubt find other terms as you go digging . . . unfortunately, for all the improvements to Entrez in recent times, there is still no tool for identifying groups of scientific abstracts according to common significant terms, so that part is very labour-intensive.

Have fun!

CD

[vey]

I think it’s an essential part of any sensual partner dance, it facilitates connection, togetherness, attention to your partner. It doesn’t have to be a 100% stare but it has to be frequent and long enough to carry the message “I’m with you” (emotionally and physically)
I do apologize for quoting myself :oops: :oops: But I wanted to update my thoughts on eye contact: I was dancing with a guy recently who made very rare eye contact but we had a great connection and he still managed to project the “I’m with you” message.
And another thought: in bachata, when dancing closely, it is often impossible to maintain eye contact, but still there's connection and togetherness.

I know I'm contradicting myself, but I do not mind that :D

[vey]

welcome capricorndancer and thanks for the link, I often use ENTREZ at work but it didn't occur to me to try it for dancing-related issues as well.

I found an intersting paper, which might be too specialized for a general reader pnas.org/cgi/content/full/99/14/9602
But I wanted to mention two interesting points form it:

1. "from birth, human infants prefer to look at faces that engage them in mutual gaze"
2. "perception of averted gaze can elicit an automatic shift of attention in the same direction"

[Sagitta]

I think it’s an essential part of any sensual partner dance, it facilitates connection, togetherness, attention to your partner. It doesn’t have to be a 100% stare but it has to be frequent and long enough to carry the message “I’m with you” (emotionally and physically)
I do apologize for quoting myself :oops: :oops: But I wanted to update my thoughts on eye contact: I was dancing with a guy recently who made very rare eye contact but we had a great connection and he still managed to project the “I’m with you” message.
And another thought: in bachata, when dancing closely, it is often impossible to maintain eye contact, but still there's connection and togetherness.

I know I'm contradicting myself, but I do not mind that :D

It's not a contradiction at all. If one is dancing really close then there is greater communication via body contact. If I put a follow in the cuddle/sweetheart position in bachata/salsa/merengue we both are facing in the same direction, so we could be glued to each other moving in sync. Then in salsa if I do a back break into closed position with a fast turn while turning we cannot see each other. It depends on the moves you do, a technique I try and use if I know that someone is not as comfortable with "eye contact" as I am.

[vey]

It's not a contradiction at all. If one is dancing really close then there is greater communication via body contact. If I put a follow in the cuddle/sweetheart position in bachata/salsa/merengue we both are facing in the same direction, so we could be glued to each other moving in sync. Then in salsa if I do a back break into closed position with a fast turn while turning we cannot see each other. It depends on the moves you do, a technique I try and use if I know that someone is not as comfortable with "eye contact" as I am.
Good point Sagitta, thank you.

As for "contradiction", I was referring to my 1st post where I wrote rather categorically that eye contact is essential for connection and “I’m with you” message; but since recently I’ve had a different experience- little eye contact (not necessarily when dancing closely) and a great connection and presence not only in a dancing sense but emotionally as well- therefore, I wanted to update my point of view on this topic.

[borikensalsero]

For the I'm with you connection there really needs to be no eye connection at all. Eye contact comes into play with the emotional level at which you experience the "I'm with you".

Usually when 2 people are "on the same page" there need be little, if at all, spoken, eye contact, or physical interaction to feel each other. We sense it, the more in tune with each other and our bodies, the stronger we feel each other’s connection. It can be to the point where nothing need be physically interchanged, even eye contact, to feel one another the most we can.

When in love and dancing a slow favorite love song, eyes are closed, bodies are together, yet there is an immense sense of togetherness and love around the couple. Even onlookers will see and sense the same. The couple has managed to not only enter but to feel each others aura... etc, etc, etc... I'll stop before I sound like a looney... The same can happen with out physical connection...

[passion]

Eye contact has been one of my difficulties. I've noticed that I am a bit uncomfortable with a great deal of eye contact unless it's with someone I've danced more with.

I believe that by increasing my amount of eye contact, it will help improve my dancing. I've just got to get past that barrier.

Any ideas on how to do that?

[Vince A]

It's "funny" that this was mentioned . . .

Just this weekend I was at a dance, and while discussing the DF and handing out DF business cards, I was conversing with a guy who was inquiring about this particular girl (that he was pointing to). I told him that I did, however, I also told him to watch her eyes (I had danced with her quite a few times over the past year). I told him that she can make you feel nervous if you are not used to it, as she never, ever takes her eyes off of your eyes (I personally like that connection). By the way . . . she rarely misses a pattern!

He finally asked her dance . . . and later he approached me commenting that it made him feel very self-conscious, and that he felt he was compelled to gaze right back into her eyes (mesmerized perhaps???). I responded that he had just received a "free" valuable lesson . . .

[borikensalsero]

I've began to notice that it drives me crazy when I dance with a girl and they are great dancers yet, really don't know how to shine and maintain the connection.

I feel like as soon as I let go some of the girls, their eye contact drifts then their physical connection kept by the aura is lost. It drives me nuts, but then when we come together for couple work they make connection.

One time I actually got so tired of girls looking at the floor while shinning that I had to flirt my way to getting her to stop concentrating so much on the floor and notice that I was still there. AHHHHHHHHHH

I don't mind the new comers drifting away but those who can dance, and are advanced show in no way shape or form loose connection just by pulling physical contact. AHHHHH AHHHHH AAHHHHHH :headwall: :headwall: :headwall:

I think there needs to be a class on how to keep connection even without physical togetherness.

[danceguy]

There does need to be a class on this Boriken, I've thought at times about painting "please look up at me" on my shoes since so many women stare at them while we are dancing. :doh:

Regarding eye contact, I've found that it can add a lot of spice to a dance...I'm just learning this and its taken my dancing to a new level. I used to avoid ever making eye contact, but after a dance a few days ago I realized how much effect it could have. The lady I danced with was the first ever that was totally "there" with me...she'd look up and smile, and I'd meet her eyes and I'd feel her energy...wow...it was such a rush! When I'd feel her start to turn away, I'd lead another move and then have my gaze/energy be there when turned back around. Wepa...those few dances made my year...and then some. :D

While dancing I always try to remember to keep my mental focus on my partner, even if we are not touching physically. But if one or both of the people are somewhere far away, that wonderful connection will be gone...

What was that word about Zen Salsa? ;)

SG

[peachexploration]

Well, I'm guilty of this. :oops: But only because, I make guys uncomfortable when I look at them. No, I don't stare like this :shock:. Hahahaha. But guys in this area get nervous. They look off in space and everywhere else but at me. Maybe it's an Orlando thing. I dunno. *shrug* They just dance better when I don't look at them, either. :? I'd much rather look at THEM, not someone else or off to the side. :x :D Flirting is alot more fun anyway. :P In one of my classes, the teacher spent a good 15 minutes on exercises just for that. It was so funny. The guys were nervous wrecks after that. :lol:

[cocodrilo]

For me, eye contact is CRUCIAL and all the salseras I KNOW are always looking at their leads(not in the sky, not at his hep dance shooz, etc). As a person who is more comfortable dancing alone, I rely on the eye contact to let me know what my partner is going to do next. This really helps me follow his leads. The guys that I dance with usually seem to be looking at me anyway, so why look anywhere else?

[jon]

I believe that by increasing my amount of eye contact, it will help improve my dancing. I've just got to get past that barrier.

Any ideas on how to do that?

Take up contra dancing. Strong eye contact is expected in certain figures - but because it's a progressive set dance, you only interact with each person briefly.

[peachexploration]

For me, eye contact is CRUCIAL and all the salseras I KNOW are always looking at their leads(not in the sky, not at his hep dance shooz, etc). As a person who is more comfortable dancing alone, I rely on the eye contact to let me know what my partner is going to do next. This really helps me follow his leads. The guys that I dance with usually seem to be looking at me anyway, so why look anywhere else?

This is quite CRUCIAL for both parties. And people wonder why they can't get any better than they are in Salsa. :roll: This also has a lot to do with "understanding" Salsa. It's not about spinning or flipping your partner, the latest move or whatever. It is you and your partner, not flips and dips. Which is one of the very reasons why I'm on dance vacation, AGAIN..... :? :roll:

[tj]

Sigh. Ok, I admit it! I need to work on my eye contact...

I'll give some, but not nearly as much as most of you seem to be describing!

[Pacion]

I've thought at times about painting "please look up at me" on my shoes since so many women stare at them while we are dancing. :doh:

And would that be with "glow in the dark paint" :lol:

If I did that, a former dance teacher would ask if I had dropped/lost some money :lol:

[danceguy]

Definitely glow in the dark paint, with my phone number as well! :lol:

SG

[youngsta]

No problems with eye contact here, it's key to the way I dance. I feel like I feed off of what she's giving me through her eye contact.

[squirrel]

The eye contact is great! I too have encountered one guy too many who hate it! Don't know why...

Even my close friends have this problem... I keep telling them to look at me... but...

:) Boriken, you are right... sometimes, when you dance with special people, you don't need eye contact... I even close my eyes if I feel like it...

[salsachinita]

I've been closing my eyes here & there with trusted partners since I read Borike's 'Hottest dance experience' story :wink: !

My eyes are almost always closed when I'm being dipped too.....not sure why :? .

[MacMoto]

I make guys uncomfortable when I look at them. No, I don't stare like this :shock:. Hahahaha. But guys in this area get nervous.
Several guys have told me that I used to make them uncomfortable/nervous by my eye contact at first (I'm an eye contact junkie :lol:). They seem to get used to it after a while, especially when they realise I do that with everyone. The actual amount of eye contact I get is up to the leader as he can choose to look back at me or look away. Some guys don't give me more than a quick glance here and there, amounting to maybe about 2 seconds max. of eye contact in total during an entire song. I still look at the leader's face even when he doesn't give me any eye contact because I find it easier to follow the lead when I'm looking at the partner. There are though some guys -- bless them -- who aren't shy of eye contact, and we end up gazing into each others' eyes, smiling. I love it! :D

I've been closing my eyes here & there with trusted partners since I read Borike's 'Hottest dance experience' story :wink: !

My eyes are almost always closed when I'm being dipped too.....not sure why :? .
I close my eyes when the hold is very close (to the point of torso contact) and I can't see the leader's face. I find it unnerving and distracting when I see my surroundings but not my partner, and closing my eyes helps me focus on my connection with the lead.
Never tried closing my eyes when dipped though... I've been told off by some leaders for looking at them when dipped -- I assume I'm supposed to look up at the ceiling (or other people's legs, depending on how low you are). :?

[Sabor]

of course all this basically depends on music and partner as MapleLeaf mentioned.. and i totally agree w/ Boriken..

i found that the strongest of connections are that of the soul touching another and be touched in return..

but its not only thru eyes.. altho its said they are windows to the soul.. but its more on all senses.. i feel it like an aura or energy field surrounding the whole person.. its like we have become mediums of exchange.. few are so strong .. more are ranging betw. weak and good..

looking at one place only or keeping eyes locked does not do it for me.. its just not enough.. and very limitting.. looking into her eyes at times, yes definetly.. but i also look at many other places.. i close my eyes .. i look down to her toes.. up to her face and in between .. pausing here and there.. enjoy her feel and regard her as much as i can in different ways.. as if i have a 3rd eye lokking at both of us from above.. the aura

when u close your eyes.. the other senses tend to sharpen.. listening is enhanced.. touch .. smell ..etc.. and with it the soul is more revealed.. the dance much more intimate .. the movement more flavored.. the dance more creative.. art is produced without intention :D

[youngsta]

It's amazing and *******ing to see how different everyone experiences the dance. Closing the eyes just doesn't do it for me, but I enjoy hearing the other guys explain how it makes them feel. :) But me...I'm your typical visual male, and I MUST see her and have that eye contact as the center point of our connection. (Plus I can't watch for traffic with my eyes closed! :lol: )

[Sabor]

Its all good brotha! :D

betw. haven't u recognised me yet? 8)

[Genesius Redux]

It's funny how many people have to work on eye contact! Salsa is a very sexy dance--an open invitation to flirt and enjoy each other. I think in the US especially, we get hyper over gender relations. But dance is a space in which men and women can openly enjoy each other without the added anxiety over looks and signals. I say enjoy your partner. Look at her.

[youngsta]

Its all good brotha! :D

betw. haven't u recognised me yet? 8)
Z I've known it was you for a while bro!

[Sabor]

was glad to find u on here brotha 8) .. thought i'd wait to see if u gona notice LOL

anyway.. just rollin a shoutout to the brotha witda flow to make salseras glow! he aint finished ..he be just startin yo! member of the Dominicanos bros .. Yougsta be da man with a plan ya know 8)..

Ladies.. u see this brotha in your hood, grab him for a few dances to make it all good! :wink: worrrd :mrgreen: :cheers: bro.

[youngsta]

:cheers: Most def my man! 8)

[borikensalsero]

:cheers: Most def my man! 8)


Ohhh, how nice, you guys need to kiss now. :kissme: :tongue:

[youngsta]

With all those amazing salseras out there boriken?? Nahhhhhhh :lol: :lol:

[Sabor]

:lol: hey! what ever happened to the good ol' hand shake i wonder.. hmmm .. world is changing too fast for me i guess :lol:

With all those amazing salseras out there boriken?? Nahhhhhhh
Ditto!.. nothing like chasing them sugars with a hurricane of kissywissys!! :lol:

[salsachinita]

Ok.....firsrt TJ & dragon, now Sabor & Sassy Hips.....

'Fes up, guys! How many of us already knew eachother pre-DF days.....?

Enquiring minds wondering again :wink: ........

[SDsalsaguy]

I already knew Porfirio pre-DF. Same with two MIA DFers, bouncybouncywee and Pukpik. I'd also met sbsalsera the weekend before she joined. Am I forgetting anyone? Oh yeah, I didn't meet him at the time but Danish Guy was at the Advanced Salsa Class I demonstrated for in Aarhus, Denmark last summer. And I interviewed one of our newer DF members, Laura, almost two years ago. I think that's it... :?

[salsachinita]

As for myself, I met MadamSamba & RedHairMermaid as there were only so many Aussies here. Then I got CapricornDancer into DF after meeting him during Bacardi in Sydney.

ShyDancer & I were actually at the same club the same time, but somehow missed eachother :roll: .........

I am under the impression that Light (the new one) will be popping into one of our local spots soon 8) !

[SDsalsaguy]

People I've knowingly met post DF are Vince, msc, Damon, and dancegal. there are one or two others who I've "met" or been "next to" but we didn't know it at the time.

[youngsta]

I haven't met anyone from DF yet. tj said he's coming here next week so he'll be the first. Sabor and I know each other from another board.

[squirrel]

I have not yet met anyone from the DF. Hope to meet salsera-alemana this week, as she said she's coming...

[danceguy]

I've never met anyone from DF...but I know I've danced at some places that other members were at...perhaps even on the same evening. So we may have crossed paths without knowing it. ;)

SG

[mexi_gabacho]

Well, I'm guilty of this. :oops: But only because, I make guys uncomfortable when I look at them. No, I don't stare like this :shock:. Hahahaha. But guys in this area get nervous. They look off in space and everywhere else but at me. Maybe it's an Orlando thing. I dunno. *shrug* They just dance better when I don't look at them, either. :? I'd much rather look at THEM, not someone else or off to the side. :x :D Flirting is alot more fun anyway. :P In one of my classes, the teacher spent a good 15 minutes on exercises just for that. It was so funny. The guys were nervous wrecks after that. :lol:

:?:

That is weird... I live in Orlando, too and I find a general openness to eye contact (with the exception of the presumidas who are 'doing you a favor' by dancing with you in the first place). :) Of course, I've recently been trying to accustom myself to USING eye contact more, and although at first, it made me really nervous, I'm slowly coming around.

Btw, which studio do you go to? Salsa Heat or MC Salseros? Just curious, cause I go to Salsa Heat on the east side.

[Sagitta]

welcome to df mexi_gabacho!! :)

[squirrel]

welcome to DF, gabacho... hope you enjoy it!

[tj]

Ok.....firsrt TJ & dragon, now Sabor & Sassy Hips.....

'Fes up, guys! How many of us already knew eachother pre-DF days.....?

Enquiring minds wondering again :wink: ........

Well, Pacion and I have a friend in common, and she was the one who first mentioned these forums to me. And I bumped into youngsta on-line on a different forum, too. Thought he was someone else at first! Lol!

[tj]

I haven't met anyone from DF yet. tj said he's coming here next week so he'll be the first. Sabor and I know each other from another board.

Hey youngsta, you don't know Piotr and Linda, do you?

See you at D-Note this upcoming Sunday!

[Genesius Redux]

I've met fashionlady. But nobody else. :(

[ino]

The eye contact is great! I too have encountered one guy too many who hate it! Don't know why...


I totally agree that eye contact is great. I feel more of a connection with the person I'm dancing with when I make eye contact throughout the song. What I can't find out is why any guy would hate to make eye contact...it's not like you're going to get your head ripped off if u make eye contact while dancing....maybe they just never gave it a try and don't know how much better dancing is with it :?:

[jon]

What I can't find out is why any guy would hate to make eye contact...

Nervousness + fear of psychos.

[ino]

What I can't find out is why any guy would hate to make eye contact...

Nervousness + fear of psychos.


LoL!! I totally forgot about that(the psycho part).....ya I've encountered that b4 and it's funny. We should all get together and tell stories about all of our little encounters with them. :cheers:

[youngsta]

Hey youngsta, you don't know Piotr and Linda, do you?

See you at D-Note this upcoming Sunday!
I know an instructor named Linda, that who you're talking about? Don't recall any Piotr's though.

[tj]

Hey youngsta, you don't know Piotr and Linda, do you?

See you at D-Note this upcoming Sunday!
I know an instructor named Linda, that who you're talking about? Don't recall any Piotr's though.

Nope, no biggee! I'll see you on Sunday!

[youngsta]

Looking forward to it man! D'note's been a little dead the last two weeks, hope it changes for your visit.