Is the salsa scene a meat market?

I've been to all types of clubs, for all different styles of music (not all social dancing) and I've never experienced *quite* the same type of "hitting" as I have at salsa clubs. And the men aren't drunk. But I think Pygmalion is right in that what is considered forward in, say, Wichita KS, is not the same as forward in NYC. Then add in international differences, where applicable, and you can get pretty funny.

And I didn't say I didn't LIKE being hit on -- I just want men to have some class about it. I am generally flattered when anybody hits on me, and that includes other women, bus drivers, rather elderly men, etc. They all have opinions and if something they see pleases them, then that's fine -- as long as they aren't crass, rude, or pushy about it. Bring it on, boys!

:-)
Melissa
 
I'm with mellody43.

Even if you're not looking to get hit on, which I'm not, it's very flattering when someone checks you out and likes what they see. Just hit on me with a little class, and I'll flirt back, rather than get all huffy and talk bad about you the next day. :P
 
I've often gotten the comment that the way salsa is danced in the US and Canada is not the salsa danced at home ( latin america ).

While you get a nice mix of styles, most people in Latin America don't spend the ridiculous amount of time we probably do learning to dance and spin properly. They go out and have a good time to the music. I remember a bunch of Puerto Rican girls who would blast the salsa and dance in front of the dorms and offer free lessons during the summer.

Do you think that the pure salsa sets ( i.e. 95% salsa ) tends to keep out people who just want to dance and not worry about connection and quadruple spins?

It seems to me that the places with a equal mix of merengue / bachata / cumbia attracts a more diverse crowd ( hence meat market) , while the pure salsa clubs seem to get the more flashy dancers.
 
pygmalion said:
Just hit on me with a little class, and I'll flirt back, rather than get all huffy and talk bad about you the next day. :P
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Bueno mamacita, what a beautiful woman wants, a beautiful woman gets :wink:
 
In my favorite club, about half of all guys on any salsa/meringue/bachata night are regulars. Most of them are Latinos.
When a new attractive girl comes in, some guys hit on her like crazy and not without success :lol: I like attention, but my first couple of times I was a little horrified - talk about meat market :shock: Well, most girls give up salsa after a couple of frustrating nights, so guys need to act quickly :P
I kept showing up at that club on every salsa night for a month, and it seemed that all the regulars have magically changed. The reason is simple: they understood that I'm on salsa scene to stay, and they didn't want anything ugly to happen. There are not so many serious dancers, after all, and you see same old faces every night out. They still flirt with me, but in a classy, fun and respectful way.
As far as I know, same thing happens to new dancers at most salsa clubs in town... and I consider it a survival training :lol:
 
redhead,

That is a cool perspective. The whole meat market thing is because you're fresh "meat" (for want of better terms), but all the aggresive stuff subsides. That sounds true, you know. I think I'll try it. Just go to the same club, rather than club-hopping, and see what happens.


Thanks.

And welcometo the forums!!! :D

Jenn
 
Quite true redhead...if you prove yourself to be serious about dancing then you'll be treated accordingly and, with time, as an "insider." Prior to that however...

And ditto pygmalion's welcome! :D
 
This is pretty much the reason why I left the salsa scene here in OC. I'm tired of the Mexican guys (no, that's not racist--- it's my experience!) I've gone to restaurants where they host salsa socials. I've noticed the White guys are looking for single women just as any single men do. The difference is their approach. They are more classy, more subtle, and more respectful and can take a hint. Hispanic guys on the other hand, by and large, are much more comfortable making their intentions obvious. It's cultural. Now don't be pointing out exceptions to me and telling me I'm stereotyping. I already know I am, and I already know plenty of exceptions. But it's a general statement, a general experience. Put it this way--- I observe how a guy dances with other women before I decide if I will dance with him. White, brown, black, doesn't matter. Have some class!
 
Christine said:
..I'm tired of the Mexican guys... The difference is their approach..
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Hi Christine, but you (not meant personally) aren´t innocent, too. The fact is, that these said mexican guys simply attract girls and vice versa. Once you´ve been part of this circus, too, it felt good and you fueled it. So why now complain? This story isn´t new. I´m a tango dancer and usually salseras start dancing tango at the age of 34 with the words: don´t want to/can compete any more.
 
Depends on the city, venue, etc.

I will say this though. You have better chances of avoiding the meat market if you go to salsa socials. When you got to a bar/club, it's usually a place that you found on google where any and everybody goes that likes salsa music, dancing, drinking and latin men/women.

When you go to a social, not just anybody goes. It's almost ALL dancers. Even if they like any of the aforementioned, everybody goes there for one thing...dancing. Because of this there is usually no alcohol since it's a hazard to your dancing. Very few serve or allow BYOB...it's usually water and gatorade. Also, because the goal is dancing, the dress attire is usually much more casual. Although many dancers like to dress impeccable and hate that others go casual, I think it's a necessary evil for dancers to be able to wear jeans and a t-shirt. It says "I'm not hear to impress anyone, I'm here to dance" (or impress with dancing and not looks, lol). If you removed those dancers and added alcoholic beverages, you'd have yourself a so-called meat market.

If you're city doesn't have many socials, I'd talk to an instructor if you are taking classes. They are usually the ones that shape the mentality of the community. AGAIN, bars and clubs welcome anybody who is willing to pay, so it's much harder, but instructors still have great influence. Also, you could ask them about starting a social.
 
I disagree with it being a meat market, I think dancing raises the bar so the expectations are higher. there are plenty of men who go around sleezing and not giving a care about dancing and they usually target the new people who don't know them. The resident sleezes end up being known by everyone and they fail to use it as a meat market.
 
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