what do you look for in a social dance?

[brujo]

You have two dancers of the same level and who know the same moves. You love dancing with one, you hate dancing with the other. Personal attraction aside, what aspects of their social dancing makes you want to dance with one more than the other?

[squirrel]

personal attraction is very important... why leave it aside? :)

seriously now, I think people are very different, in the way they lead, in the patterns they use, in the way they interpret the music...

what I like in a dancer... it is hard to explain... it has something to do with chemistry on the dance floor, the way your movements complete one another, the same view over a particular song and its interpretation...

at least for me...

[Sabor]

non-physical:
soul/vibe.. dance sexuality..creativity and playfulness

physical:
smoothness of movement, fitness and body type (including height cause i'm a tall boy)

[volleybgrl]

The most important thing I look for is the attention that is paid to me. Too often I dance with a short guy that tries to do turns led from the neck, under the arm stuff and it just doesn't work. Other than this, I think it's the same as everyone else: chemistry, playfulness, type of lead, etc.

[youngsta]

The one that makes dancing fun. She's playful, experiments with the music, and can adapt to any 'discovered moves' (mistakes!) :lol:

[squirrel]

Why call them mistakes, youngsta?

[Vin]

The feel of someone who is comfortable with themselves AND a partner on the dance floor. Alot of people dancing at salsa venues (in my neck of the woods) either feel more comfortable dancing with a partner or doing shines. Occasionally you get to dance with someone who can follow as well as having a great shine repertoire.
There is something about these dancers that I can feel with the very first steps we take together. Some girls I can tell depend too much on the men to lead. Other girls need to break free of being lead.
But those special follows, who feel the lead but rather than depending on it, feel it in the music themselves. They are special.

You can have a technically perfect dance with one of other types of follows but I will prefer a mistake ridden dance with someone who has that feel any day of the week.

[salsachinita]

You have two dancers of the same level and who know the same moves. You love dancing with one, you hate dancing with the other. Personal attraction aside, what aspects of their social dancing makes you want to dance with one more than the other?

The most obvious factor that come to mind for me is personal connection. If we have a fantasitc rapport, we will enjoy the dance as one 8) .

Now, this personal connection doesn't always have to do with how skillful he is, but rather, how he dances WITH me.

Apart from that, the deciding factor could also be that it's not how many moves he knows, but how well he excutes them. A few simple moves lead well is way better than a bunch of fancy moves lead badly.

Lastly, personality. How open we are to eachother is going to make a differnce in our connection. We all know those million & one subtle, non-verbal signals (physical & emotional) we give off in a dance. The partners who are in tune & open with eachother will be highly receptive to 'read' one another. This factor, on a higer level, can lead to Boriken's spiritual aspects of salsa.

Sometimes how well we get along off the floor can indicate the fact that we are likely to dance well together. I say sometimes, because for whatever reasons unknown to me, some of my good friends arn't my favourite partners, while people I hardly share a conversation beyond simple greetings turn out to be on my A-list (does this mean we communicate non-verbally, on a different level :? ?).

[Sabor]

curves 8) LMAO

[Sagitta]

I agree with SC that the most important part of dancing with a partner is the connection. That's all I ask for. If you have a true connection with your partner then moves should be executed well - isn't that part of the whole connection equation after all?

I've danced with many follows who refuse to change the way they dance and force me to dance the way they do in order to get the connection. That I can do with some, but can't do with others, and they don't even seem to make an effort. They are in the music and will follow moves and can even be are more advanced then me, but I'm not connecting with them. My most miserable dances are the ones without a connection. Part of this conection thing is the fancy moves syndrome. They don't connect with you, don't look at you, and so get bored and want moves!!

[borikensalsero]

I look for connection first and foremost. Attraction matters not, it is the music, and the journey with another person that does it for me. In fact, the bestests dances I've ever had, have been with ladies whose lustful attractiveness is that of their inner person, which in the dance and in my salsa world is what makes them attractive to dance with.

In my experiences the fulfillment of a soulful ride is seldom given by a technically sound dancer. They have always seemed worried about the next move, how many spins they can get in a bar, too busy shining away and forgetting I’m in front of them. Busy looking around to see who is looking at them bust their experience on the floor. They are so indulged into what they are doing, that they loose the essence of dancing with a partner.

I want that person who will bring down all my walls of preconceived dance notions, and take me for the ride of my life. The one that will caress my mistakes and share the glory of the journey as well as the destination. I want the person who will fail and succeed with me, yet the journey has been as fulfilling during the downs as the ups. She, who only I will be allowed to be her king. She who can sooth the ache of a heart without knowing that she is soothing me simply by being herself.

That’s she who I’ll go for when that songs goes on.

[salsachinita]

I want that person who will bring down all my walls of preconceived dance notions, and take me for the ride of my life. The one that will caress my mistakes and share the glory of the journey as well as the destination. I want the person who will fail and succeed with me, yet the journey has been as fulfilling during the downs as the ups. She, who only I will be allowed to be her king. She who can sooth the ache of a heart without knowing that she is soothing me simply by being herself.

That’s she who I’ll go for when that songs goes on.

:notworth: Beautiful, as always......Boriken! :notworth:

.........one question, how rare/often do you find her.......?

*just want to know that it is indeed realistic to find such experiences on the dancefloor......that, or whether i need to move to NYC :wink: !*

[borikensalsero]

I want that person who will bring down all my walls of preconceived dance notions, and take me for the ride of my life. The one that will caress my mistakes and share the glory of the journey as well as the destination. I want the person who will fail and succeed with me, yet the journey has been as fulfilling during the downs as the ups. She, who only I will be allowed to be her king. She who can sooth the ache of a heart without knowing that she is soothing me simply by being herself.

That’s she who I’ll go for when that songs goes on.

:notworth: Beautiful, as always......Boriken! :notworth:

.........one question, how rare/often do you find her.......?

*just want to know that it is indeed realistic to find such experiences on the dancefloor......that, or whether i need to move to NYC :wink: !*


Well, I'm in NY City, luckly for me, there is always the fiew who only care about the connection of two souls. Everynight I go out there can be 2 or 3 that fit that description, on a good night, there will about 5. Sadly, as well the NY City salsa philosphy has less to do with the invisible rather than the visible. There have been nights that I've gone out, danced all night, and left sad because a spin-filled world is what everyone has cared for.

The other night I danced with a girl who's been dancing for about 6 months, I happend to double spin and stop with my back facing her, point forward with my left, (my head was purposely down) and when I lifted it and looked forward, there were a bunch of girls with big cheezy smiles looking at us, one of them pointing back at me and smiling. It was amazing that although the girl I was dancing with was limited in skill we were able to go half way to the world I wanted to be at. :D :D After I was done dancing she asked for me not to go too far, that she wanted a second...

See!? it is never about skill level, but willingness to let go of yourself and go where many's reality says it doesn't exist, and if they do, it is limited it by calling it the ZONE.

As a leader it is easier for me to set the mood, than it would be for a follow. Thank GOD for that, I would be shooting guys everywhere if it'd been the other way around... :argue: hehehe

[mellody43]

I look for connection first and foremost. Attraction matters not, it is the music, and the journey with another person that does it for me. In fact, the bestests dances I've ever had, have been with ladies whose lustful attractiveness is that of their inner person, which in the dance and in my salsa world is what makes them attractive to dance with.

In my experiences the fulfillment of a soulful ride is seldom given by a technically sound dancer. They have always seemed worried about the next move, how many spins they can get in a bar, too busy shining away and forgetting I’m in front of them. Busy looking around to see who is looking at them bust their experience on the floor. They are so indulged into what they are doing, that they loose the essence of dancing with a partner.

I want that person who will bring down all my walls of preconceived dance notions, and take me for the ride of my life. The one that will caress my mistakes and share the glory of the journey as well as the destination. I want the person who will fail and succeed with me, yet the journey has been as fulfilling during the downs as the ups. She, who only I will be allowed to be her king. She who can sooth the ache of a heart without knowing that she is soothing me simply by being herself.

That’s she who I’ll go for when that songs goes on.

As always, poetic!

I want to dance with someone who has a fun playful quality, but can also pull out the sexy vibe -- can challenge me with a new move but is smart enough to know when to give a move up if it's not working! :shock:

I want to dance with someone who seeks me out for dances as much as I seek him out.

I want to dance with someone who can play up my strengths, who can help me experience the joy I know is possible when I am dancing.

Melissa

[danceguy]

I love to dance with someone who will dance WITH me.

This sounds and is so simple...yet many people make it far too complicated. Can you be there mentally, physically and even spiritually?

Someone who goes out to dance...not to just drink and socialize...

I love to meet and dance with strangers...a true test of just how much you can let go with an unknown person. Some of my best dances have been with someone I've just met...but they were 100% there...and it was wonderful.

I endeavor to have no expectations when asking someone to dance, and hope that others will do the same. People have off nights, and sometimes it is very different with the same person on a differnent night...or even a later or earlier time. Even if a dance doesn't go all that well, you can still be positive, laugh and make the best of it.

A good smile is always nice. :P

SG

[youngsta]

Why call them mistakes, youngsta?
I don't, I call them discovered moves! :lol:

[pygmalion]

I like that! Discovered moves. I'll have to tell my dance teacher that! :lol: :lol:

[jon]

Why call them mistakes, youngsta?
I don't, I call them discovered moves! :lol:

In WCS, we don't have mistakes either - just syncopations :-)

[DiAnAoN1]

I like it when I can tell that the guys is feeling the music and genuinely enjoying the dance, I've danced with soooo many guys that are concentrating so hard on their steps and I can sometimes actually see their lips moving and counting the steps! thats the absolute worst! I also love when the guy is looking out for you and taking care of you, ladies dont you hate it when the guy chooses a complicated move with lots of spinning when the floor is really crowded,you know someone is gonna get hurt so guys dont do this!!

[dancin_feet]

First and foremost a social dance needs to be FUN! If the guy is mechanical and has to get every step he knows into the dance, regardless of whether the follow knows it or not, that is not fun. It's more like hard work.

So you repeat a step 10 times, or you basic all over the place? Big deal. If it is fun, it is better than doing every step you know.

[Genesius Redux]

Boy, you guys must just have your pick of social dancers. I'm happy with someone who can simply follow, but I think that's what you're all talking about when you say connection. You can't be playful and fun until you've got someone who speaks the same language on the floor!

[Sagitta]

Yup -- connection. That's it. That's all I ask for. Sometimes I struggle the whole dance trying to get it and the follower looks at me as if I'm crazy. I don't care that we are stepping on the right beat and moving forward and backward correctly. When my hand is resting on your body, and our hands are connected, and you are moving your body, that affects how my body moves.

They are the tango dancers, the cuban dancers, the NY style dancers, the Brazilian style dancers, the swing dancers, the hop around dancers...I acn tell from the basic what you are, but I cannot adapt equally well to all, so if you work with me we can find a happy medium to get a resonable conection. Lindy/WCS dancers work well with slot-like style dancing. Not my favorite type. Hop around dancers should be kicked out of the clubs. Cuban/Brazillian style pretty cool, and I like dancing with tango dancers.

[brujo]

Interesting stuff. I look for someone who is playful and who adds a bit of her own personality to the dance, as opossed to the bored look on the dance floor.

What is your take on spins? Is this something artificial that guys just threw out there so they can show off how many times they can spin the girl? Or do you actually enjoy doing multiple spins for some sick demented reasons?

[squirrel]

Youngsta, my partner and I have a lot of ... 'discovered moves'... :oops: :roll: :twisted:

But hey, who's counting? :roll: 8)

[salsachinita]

What is your take on spins? Is this something artificial that guys just threw out there so they can show off how many times they can spin the girl? Or do you actually enjoy doing multiple spins for some sick demented reasons?

I know I must be one of the very few who absolutely dislike multiple spins :oops: . Part of the reason is fear, the other part is that I'm not very good at it.

What I really don't like is when the music doesn't call for multiple spins, but people still do it :roll: . Unless it's for a show/comp, it looks excessive (IMHO). When the music calls for it, then it's a different story.

Lately I've noticed that I have no problem whatsoever doing multiple turns/spins within Casino style (I just seem to flow into them). Yet when trying to follow L.A. style leads, I can'y seem to do anything beyond a couple :oops: without looking sloppy.

Is it because the two are that different...? Or is it my fear that's become the mental block...?

[goldfish]

i love watching spins and turns! when its not me doing seven at once. so i guess leads do too.

recently realized that if i'm wearing a flippy, twirly skirt, i get spun and turned a LOT. so i guess it's how it looks...

[MacMoto]

I know I must be one of the very few who absolutely dislike multiple spins :oops: .
Hey, don't forget me -- your pal in the DF spin-haters club. :lol:

Lately I've noticed that I have no problem whatsoever doing multiple turns/spins within Casino style (I just seem to flow into them). Yet when trying to follow L.A. style leads, I can'y seem to do anything beyond a couple :oops: without looking sloppy.

Is it because the two are that different...? Or is it my fear that's become the mental block...?
I think multiple turns in Cuban style salsa are different, in that they tend to be stepped travelling turns (i.e., not spins) rather than spot turns (spinning on the ball of one foot). I do have a better success rate with Cuban-style turns (I can't say I have no problem with them :oops:), though I get dizzy very quickly.

I won't dismiss the mental block factor though. I think I get into spins better with leaders I have good connection with. There was this guy I met at the SalsaMed Festival, with whom I clicked instantly and had fabulous dances (the connection between us was so amazingly beautiful I wanted to pack him in my bag and take home at the end of the last night...), and he was able to spin me no problem. I still don't know how he did it, but he led me into it so smoothly yet clearly I just started spinning. And because we maintained really good eye contact throughout the dance, I was even able to spot him while spinning (something I've always had problems with). When I came out of the spins, I was like :shock: :!:

[cocodrilo]

Amicable attitude & originality, that's how I would choose from the 2 guys.


Why do spins? Because it's FUN!!! Today, with a hangover*hic* I was practicing my spins(alone) and was able to get 4 in! The feeling was a bit like being airborne, although I had my feet(or foot, at times) on the ground! I have the studio all to myself, so I do some huge running leaps, too! Although these will be useless in any sort of latin dancing I'm afraid, I guess I like the feeling of being in the air!

[MacMoto]

You have two dancers of the same level and who know the same moves. You love dancing with one, you hate dancing with the other.
I haven't met anyone I hate dancing with -- what I hate is not dancing! :lol:
I do enjoy dancing with some people more than with others, and that tends to be about connection and musicality -- or, to be more precise, either connection or musicality. Ideally I want both, but there are guys whose lead I don't particularly like (too rough/no eye contact/whatever) and yet with whom I still enjoy dancing because they play with the music the way I like.

[Sagitta]

I'm as ambivalent about spins as I am about moves in general. If I know a person likes particular moves I do my best to incorporate that into my dancing.

[Sabor]

'what do i look for in social dance?'

hmmm.. many atime i end up looking for a piece of the salseras accessories (earing, bracelet , hair clipse and other items too embarassing to name) since they always tend to fly off :lol: .. careful ladies, one time its bound to hurt an unsuspecting innocent.. keep your wear firmly on please :mrgreen:

[pygmalion]

Why, oh why do I keep reading your posts, thinking I'm going to find something serious, or at least sensible? I should know better by now. :lol:

[squirrel]

Yes pygmalion... you should have been warned by now! 8) :lol:

[cocodrilo]

'what do i look for in social dance?'

hmmm.. many atime i end up looking for a piece of the salseras accessories (earing, bracelet , hair clipse and other items too embarassing to name) since they always tend to fly off :lol: .. careful ladies, one time its bound to hurt an unsuspecting innocent.. keep your wear firmly on please :mrgreen:

Sabor, dear, who are these ladies you are dancing with? And why do they keep losing their accessories when with you? I have NEVER lost a piece of jewelry nor have I ever harmed a partner with mine. I can only imagine you are chewing the stuff off the ladies and it is getting lodged in your throat!!! :lol:

[salsachinita]

Sabor, I can only imagine you are chewing the stuff off the ladies and it is getting lodged in your throat!!! :lol:

:uplaugh: :uplaugh: :uplaugh: Too funny!

[Sabor]

I have NEVER lost a piece of jewelry nor have I ever harmed a partner with mine.

:lol: well.. if only all salseras around the world were as considerate as u coco.. none of this would have ever happened and many more lives would have been saved! :lol:

[cocodrilo]

Yeah, I wanna know the items "too embarrassing to name"! How does one manage to get down there and remove THAT item on the dance floor? (Or I could be wrong in my assumption and guess that his ladies are dropping opossum-fur nipple warmers on the dance floor! :shock: )

[Sabor]

sheesh! is your mind always in the gutter like that!! tsk tsk.. shame on u! .. now drop and give me 50! :lol:

[cocodrilo]

sheesh! is your mind always in the gutter like that!! tsk tsk.. shame on u! .. now drop and give me 50! :lol:

You still didn't fill us in on the "embarassing items". Were they opossum-fur nipple warmers or not?!

[squirrel]

cocodrilo ... :) :lol: :lol: :lol: :twisted:

[Sabor]

well, embarrassing items signify either fake or complicated stuff that women and some salseras wear.. and thus when they fly/fall off its quite embarrassing for the lady..

an example is a hair piece or hair extensions.. colored lenses.. fake eyelashes.. and i'll stop there.. u'll be surprised at the pain some go thru for no reason that i could see whatsover .. just to sell a fake image that doesn't look good in the first place.. but hey .. to each their own.

[cocodrilo]

well, embarrassing items signify either fake or complicated stuff that women and some salseras wear.. and thus when they fly/fall off its quite embarrassing for the lady..

an example is a hair piece or hair extensions.. colored lenses.. fake eyelashes.. and i'll stop there.. u'll be surprised at the pain some go thru for no reason that i could see whatsover .. just to sell a fake image that doesn't look good in the first place.. but hey .. to each their own.

I totally get your drift now, Sabor! I remember I once flung the hairpiece off a lady dancing next to me (was I over-styling?!) at a huge event. How can they wear those bloody things and not expect them to come off when doing serious salsa?! Vanity!!! :evil:

[mhgroove]

I like it when I can tell that the guys is feeling the music and genuinely enjoying the dance, I've danced with soooo many guys that are concentrating so hard on their steps and I can sometimes actually see their lips moving and counting the steps! thats the absolute worst! I also love when the guy is looking out for you and taking care of you, ladies dont you hate it when the guy chooses a complicated move with lots of spinning when the floor is really crowded,you know someone is gonna get hurt so guys dont do this!!

Diana On 1,

I must admit I've been of those guys that have always concentrated on my steps because I wanted to get the dance correctly. I'm a perfectionist and when I'm leading sometimes I feel the pressure to make sure I'm doing the dance correctly instead of making sure the women is enjoying the dance. This is one reason why I've decided to learn salsa..is to get me away from my perfectionist self and feel the music and DANCE TO THE MUSIC!!!!!

[salsachinita]

This is one reason why I've decided to learn salsa..is to get me away from my perfectionist self and feel the music and DANCE TO THE MUSIC!!!!!

That's a GREAT attitude to have, Mhgroove :D !

:? .....now I wonder how many others out there who share that motivation?

And more to the point, could it also be true that perfectionists can stay perfectionist in salsa anyway...?

[salsalawyer]

just be careful with long hair!! Nothing worse then getting whipped with sweaty hair all night -- in public at least. :oops:

The main thing is to enjoy the music. If the person is having fun with me and music and can follow my lead, I am close to heaven.

[cocodrilo]

just be careful with long hair!! Nothing worse then getting whipped with sweaty hair all night -- in public at least. :oops:

The main thing is to enjoy the music. If the person is having fun with me and music and can follow my lead, I am close to heaven.

Oops- with the hair comment you must mean me... :oops:
(I have towels close by so there's usually not much sweat flying, but where I dance, EVERYONE'S sweating big time & we are more or less used to it!!!) :wink:

[Kali Ma]

Hello, everyone! Just thought I'd get my coppers in...

As many of you have mentioned, that connection thingy is SO important, but I do find it a bit difficult to quantify what it is that would make me prefer Dancer 1 over Dancer 2 (assuming --as stated-- that their skill is equal). Hmm...I prefer to dance with someone who's careful, who watches our space and isn't determined to take me through moves that might put us or anyone else in jeopardy. I like to dance with someone who doesn't dance for any potential onlookers, someone who communicates with me (non-verbal stuff is way, big important!), and gives me the feeling that this dance is THE dance, the one that we both will want to take home and put under our pillows. I love dancing with someone who laughs while they dance --and not just at the bits that go haywire-- and is gentle and graceful in their movements even when they're just ZINGING with energy (makes me go "ooh!" everytime!). Oh, and someone who can appreciate and uses slooowness as a counterpoint to some of the more frenetic aspects of salsa dancing...not much nicer than some moves done slinky-n'-slow!

Gad, once you get started listing this kinda thing, all sorts of stuff just comes rolling out, doesn't it?

I'm with Salsachinita as far as the multiple spins are concerned; just don't usually see the point... I can do three without a hitch, four if I'm feeling lucky (punk!), but I don't truly enjoy them. In my (admittedly rather brief) experience, once a guy starts leading the multiples, he's going to keep at it until you just wanna go siddown somewhere. I don't know --the adoration for them seems to be mainly a guy thang. Like I said, my (very biased) take...

I just want to take the opportunity at the end of this (very long) post to say that I've been peeking in on DF for a while now, and I'm utterly impressed with the amount of respect and mutual support present on this board. Very glad to meet you all!

[MacMoto]

I like to dance with someone who doesn't dance for any potential onlookers, someone who communicates with me (non-verbal stuff is way, big important!), and gives me the feeling that this dance is THE dance, the one that we both will want to take home and put under our pillows. I love dancing with someone who laughs while they dance --and not just at the bits that go haywire-- and is gentle and graceful in their movements even when they're just ZINGING with energy (makes me go "ooh!" everytime!). Oh, and someone who can appreciate and uses slooowness as a counterpoint to some of the more frenetic aspects of salsa dancing...not much nicer than some moves done slinky-n'-slow!

Gad, once you get started listing this kinda thing, all sorts of stuff just comes rolling out, doesn't it?
:D :D :D :D I like your list! Couldn't put it better myself.

I'm with Salsachinita as far as the multiple spins are concerned; just don't usually see the point... I can do three without a hitch, four if I'm feeling lucky (punk!), but I don't truly enjoy them. In my (admittedly rather brief) experience, once a guy starts leading the multiples, he's going to keep at it until you just wanna go siddown somewhere. I don't know --the adoration for them seems to be mainly a guy thang. Like I said, my (very biased) take...
Welcome to the DF Spin Haters Club! :lol: :lol:

I just want to take the opportunity at the end of this (very long) post to say that I've been peeking in on DF for a while now, and I'm utterly impressed with the amount of respect and mutual support present on this board. Very glad to meet you all!
Welcome aboard, Kali Ma. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

[mhgroove]

This is one reason why I've decided to learn salsa..is to get me away from my perfectionist self and feel the music and DANCE TO THE MUSIC!!!!!

That's a GREAT attitude to have, Mhgroove :D !

:? .....now I wonder how many others out there who share that motivation?

And more to the point, could it also be true that perfectionists can stay perfectionist in salsa anyway...?

SalsaChinita,

Thanks for the kind words! I went dancing last night and it was great. I really felt the music...not counting steps in my head. However, I did dance with this woman who dances really well and I asked her dance. The dance didn't go well..she seemed bored and my perfectionist tendencies returned...oh well one step forward, one step backwards!!!

[Kali Ma]

:D :D :D :D I like your list! Couldn't put it better myself.

You, Madam, are too kind! :D

I'm with Salsachinita as far as the multiple spins are concerned; just don't usually see the point... I can do three without a hitch, four if I'm feeling lucky (punk!), but I don't truly enjoy them. In my (admittedly rather brief) experience, once a guy starts leading the multiples, he's going to keep at it until you just wanna go siddown somewhere. I don't know --the adoration for them seems to be mainly a guy thang. Like I said, my (very biased) take...
Welcome to the DF Spin Haters Club! :lol: :lol:

So, do I get, like, a badge? When do I get to learn the secret handshake and the club anthem? The initiation doesn't involve bloodshed, does it? I get so faint! :lol: :lol:

Welcome aboard, Kali Ma. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Thank you, MacMoto! You guys do know how to make a body feel at home! :D

[cocodrilo]

Wait a sec! Since when did we start "hating" spins? :shock: I love to spin, but I'll agree with you all that the lead does sometimes go overboard and I also do not see the necessity of spinning someone over two times, unless they request it.

The kind of salsa that bugs ME is when they manipulate you to do all those tight arms-over-head octopus moves. I'd rather spin than do that! :x

By the way, welcome, Kali Ma! :D

[salsachinita]

Wait a sec! Since when did we start "hating" spins? :shock:

Sorry, Cocodrilo, Club Spin Phobia consist of two members so far: Mac Moto & yours truly.....now, Kali Ma :wink: !

The kind of salsa that bugs ME is when they manipulate you to do all those tight arms-over-head octopus moves. I'd rather spin than do that! :x

There is actually a move call 'pulpo' :lol: ...... these moves you're talking about can be annoying, unless you are familar with the guy/style, or both.

[salsachinita]

I did dance with this woman who dances really well and I asked her dance. The dance didn't go well..she seemed bored and my perfectionist tendencies returned...

The difference between a good dancer & a great dancer is attitude. Just because one can dance well doesn't mean they should make others feel somehow inadequate. Most of these people may not be aware that they are doing it though.........

Some many people (especially newbies) are soooo preoccupied with steps/moves due to the above reasons. That kinda makes people too busy to have any room for enjoyment :roll: ! I feel for them, I do.

I've been thinking about ways to improve this, but I think ultimately it's up to the individuals to realised that there's more to salsa than being impressed by steps/moves.

So back to writing/sharing some more........

[Sagitta]

So true SC. I've found that talking about it does help with those who never have this idea of steps vs dancing introduced to them before. :)

And some people like complicated arm moves, some like spins, and some like simple dancing. It's the competitive and selfish this is what "I want" attitude. Both the spice and challenge of relationships, even short 2/3 minute dance ones, is in people's differences. Occassional frustration is the price of admission and a good resoltion usually requires that both parties accomodate somewhat to the other's differences. This is the principle of mutual caretaking that I feel is important for social dance. :D

[Lita_rulez]

OK, so let me put it straight...

If I ever get you two in the same room, I can dance with cocodrilo and go for 28 spins (never done better yet, but hey, the dance floor is crouded this days, give me time and I'l get to those darn thirties !!!) and than dance with salsachinita doing armlocks and other knots over my head, I'll get you both happy AND happy I didn't do the other moves with you ?

[salsachinita]

dance with salsachinita doing armlocks and other knots over my head, I'll get you both happy AND happy I didn't do the other moves with you ?

:D Absolutely, Lita!

Bring 'em on 8) !

*coming this way anytime soon :wink: ?*

[Lita_rulez]

dance with salsachinita doing armlocks and other knots over my head, I'll get you both happy AND happy I didn't do the other moves with you ?

:D Absolutely, Lita!

Bring 'em on 8) !

*coming this way anytime soon :wink: ?*

Well, I am curently paying for Cannes (leaving on tuesday night, and boy is this going to be a blast !!!!!) I am trying to figure out a way to pay for UK by the end of august, I have to start saving now for NYC in novembre, and I am of course planning on going back to L.A. (US) and Cannes (France) next year.

So you see, it's not that I do not want to come down and visit (I actually have never been to Australia and would love to get a chance to) but my banck account unfortunately isn't as deep as my passion for salsa...

But hey, do you have your mind set up on attending any of those congresses ?

[salsachinita]

But hey, do you have your mind set up on attending any of those congresses ?

The earliest would be next year, if things work out :roll: !

I wish I knew you when I was staying in France! I got relatives (really paranoid, strict ones!) in both Paris & Lyon. I was bored out of my brain & completely salsa-sick :cry: ........of course, it was back in '92-'93.

My brother is living in Switzland at the moment, so Europe isn't totally out of the question :wink: ........

[Lita_rulez]

The earliest would be next year, if things work out :roll: !

I wish I knew you when I was staying in France! I got relatives (really paranoid, strict ones!) in both Paris & Lyon. I was bored out of my brain & completely salsa-sick :cry: ........of course, it was back in '92-'93.

My brother is living in Switzland at the moment, so Europe isn't totally out of the question :wink: ........

OK, this is going to sound like THE most self-centered thing to say, but...

I have been staring at the wall in front of my desk for almost 2 minutes after reading you post, just trying to imagine...
:shock: :shock: :shock:
How I would dance had you conviced me to begin salsa in 92 instead of begining seriously last year !!!!!


*Snaps his finger and looks back at his desk* Anyway, who knows what the futur holds for any of us. (I sure as hell didn't know what was coming for me ten minuts before it hit me yesterday evening, so let alone considering a year in advance ;) ) maybe wr'll get a chance to meet earlier than that !

[salsachinita]

maybe we'll get a chance to meet earlier than that !

Hope so. I would love to live in Paris again (but my French really doesn't exist eventhough I'm fairly connected with both France & Tahiti).....as I still havn't seen Paris after dark :roll: .

Seriously, Sydney is beautiful in January (summer!) & both Congress & Bacardi will be on :wink: ........

:lol: Wanna take part in 'the plan'.......? (you will have to run a search on that one!)

[Sagitta]

Well...I'm definitely doing the November NJ/NYC salsa event. I already have scheduled time off from work, etc for that. After all it would be a nice way to celebrate my b'day.