Getting the Latin "look"

DanceMentor

DanceMentor

Administrator
Ok, we are working on Latin again. I have always been more of a ballroom/standard dancer. I'm 6 feet tall. My skin is a little pale (and not easily tanned). My last pair of Latin shoes killed my calves. I don't look the least bit Latin. I have brown hair. I could go on.

I'm really having a good time with it though. We have an excellent coach. Finally!

Does anyone else have the same problem?
And what have done about it?
 
Without going all white pride (*shudder*- I'm too close to the south), I'd say just be your pasty Anglo self, only try to lend as much "La'-in" styling, character, and "flavor" to the dancing as possible. That way, you preserve "The Integrity Of The Dance" without going all Michael Jackson and undergoing an ethnicity re-assignment.

Funny how most Latin champs have names like Grinenko or Shostakovich, or something. :lol:
 
DanceMentor said:
Ok, we are working on Latin again. I have always been more of a ballroom/standard dancer. I'm 6 feet tall. My skin is a little pale (and not easily tanned). My last pair of Latin shoes killed my calves. I don't look the least bit Latin. I have brown hair. I could go on.

I'm really having a good time with it though. We have an excellent coach. Finally!

Does anyone else have the same problem?
And what have done about it?
Click to expand...

Well, first of all DM, you look blonde to me...not raging blonde but dirty blonde(just like me)...and yea you're pale but only alabaster not transparent, but considering that you aren't the one who has to be half naked, I'd say it won't be a big deal for you...your wife however will be another story...but hey, I have seen lots of bleached blonde latin men and lots of bald guys...if you really want the look;)

but I empathize....I have always said that the way my foot feels in a latin shoe is a sign from God that I shouldnt be wearing them...still, ya know its kind of fun to compete in an area that isn't our forte...not that I am not trying, but I am not as stressed...

as for your height...I NEVER want to hear you complain about that again:rolleyes: lol...have you any idea what and advantage that is...???? of course you do...(just teasing you)
 
DanceMentor said:
Ok, we are working on Latin again. I have always been more of a ballroom/standard dancer. I'm 6 feet tall. My skin is a little pale (and not easily tanned). My last pair of Latin shoes killed my calves. I don't look the least bit Latin. I have brown hair. I could go on.

I'm really having a good time with it though. We have an excellent coach. Finally!

Does anyone else have the same problem?
And what have done about it?
Click to expand...

I realize there is nothing intentionally malicious in your post, but it could be interpreted that way.

You say you don't look that least bit Latin? Latinos come from all racial groups.
 
i think it's safe to say that when ballroom dancers say 'the latin look' they mean 'the typical way people competing in dancesport in the latin dances look.' it has extremely little to do with latinos.
 
alemana said:
i think it's safe to say that when ballroom dancers say 'the latin look' they mean 'the typical way people competing in dancesport in the latin dances look.' it has extremely little to do with latinos.
Click to expand...
agreed...am not going to speak for DM, but I find it highly unlikely that he is going for any race transplant, but rather, a dancesport look which frequently includes a dark tan...though as i mentioned doesn't neccessarily mean dark hair or anything of the like..as also evidenced about his concern over his height which has nothing to do w/ race but rather an observation of the size of allot of guys who dance latin as opposed to latin guys (which we sometimes lazily say, when we MEAN: guys who dance latin)
...clear as mud?
 
ok so dance mentor, here are my suggestions.

1. invest in a large gold necklace or amulet, what my friend calls a "lozenge on a string." latin leads love big jewelry dangling down their open-shirted chests.

2. if you don't want to tan, brush a little bronzer on your exposed skin. including, as above, your open-shirted chest. which you have previously shaved.

3. practice your facial expressions in the mirror. unlike StandardMan expressions, of which there are three:

1. HEREWEGO (flight)
2. HEREYOUGO (dip, oversway, hesitation)
3. GETOUTOFMYWAY (floorcraft challenge)

for Latin the basic facial expressions, according the LatinFacialExpressionSyllabus approved last year, are:

1. i'm too sexy for my girl
2. i'm too sexy for this judge
3. i'm too sexy for this shirt
4. i'm so sexy it hurts

VOILA! you are a latinman!
 
DM - why don't you rent the american version of "shall we dance" and learn from that bald lawyer guy. He'll demonstrate facial expressions, tell you all about fake teeth popping smiles at judges and so on.
 
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