Salsa City Forum » Salsa Music and Dance » Perv-free zones?

My 16-year old daughter is keen to take up salsa. Which beginners’ classes have the fewest creeps? I know most guys on the scene are OK but there are some people around who I wouldn’t want anywhere near her.

A reasonable concern for a father, but perhaps not the best way of going about it. If anyone actually names a class, what does that then do to the largely decent people who attend?

Wouldn’t a better approach to be to identify any unacceptable behaviour, either challenging the individuals concerned or reporting it to the teacher/promoter? I’m sure all teachers would want to be kept informed of unwelcome behaviour and would seek to do something about it.

Your daughter’s more pressing issue is whether she can find a class catering to under-18s. Other discussion threads have covered this.

Alun, that’s why I asked people to nominate good classes rather than bad ones.

Overtly unacceptable behaviour is fairly rare, it’s general sleaziness/creepiness I’d like to avoid - and I’m sure every woman who’s been dancing for a while can think of a few examples of that.

Sorry, my mistake, although the point still stands. Other classes would be tarred by comparison or ommission. Apart from that, I don’t think you can expect to draw conclusions of this nature, particularly as the population of classes, in particular beginners, is so fluid.

The only constants are the teacher and venue, so perhaps what you need to hear is reassurance from teachers that they manage behaviour in their classes?

Of course, you might need to be more specific about what you mean by creepy and sleazy. Some might argue that its not the behaviour which defines it, but whether it is welcome from a specific individual or not.

Actually, you’re right about beginners’ classes. Thinking about it, the real issue is the handful of guys - none of whom are any good as dancers - who hang around in the free dancing looking for attractive young beginners to fling around and patronise. I do know of women who’ve been put off salsa completely by these people.

Ah well. I tend to join in the beginners’ class to provide an extra man, as they are nearly always short. If any of the beginners stay till the free dancing afterwards I always ask them for a dance, whether they are 16 or 60. I struggle with these beginners and I probably look completely incompetent. Some ladies asked to dance with me during the free style periods when I first started and it improved my dancing and leading beyond anything I learnt in the classes.

I didn’t realise this was considered sleazy, patronising or creepy. I’ll just stick to the intermediate classes and the experienced dancers during the free style.

Going to a salsa night is no worse than going to any other activity in a pub/club and normally a lot better. There tends not to be a lot of alcohol drunk because dancing whilst drunk or dancing with someone who is drunk just does not work. The dancing finishes late and I think your daughter will be at more risk getting home rather than whilst at the club. If you/she takes the same precautions as any other night out such as going with a friend and leaving with the same friend I would have thought she would be fine. At 16 she will know who she feels uncomfortable with and does not have to dance with them after the classes.

Bob, please don’t take it personally. There is nothing at all wrong with the behaviour you have described as helping out in the beginners’ class and dancing with beginners is to be welcomed.

I was referring to a small number of older men who only pick on the attractive young beginners and who criticise women’s dancing from a position of ignorance (none of them are any good as dancers themselves). I’ve heard enough stories about guys being rude, rough, or actively sleazy to know that these people can put women off dancing.

The only class I can think of that is sleaze free would by Andy Witt’s on a Sunday at zero degree’s as it seems all the men there can actually dance a bit, it is however quite small numbers wise and may not have a beginners.

I’ve never had any issues at Misaels class in La Tasca on a Wednesday (cuban rather than LA and again quite small numbers) either.

I’d suggest there is a bit (but not a lot) at most of the other nights with the exception of La Tasca on a Saturday where there are a few sinister types.

My advice would be to ask the women who are regular attendee’s at whichever night you end up at to point out to your daughter who to avoid. As a poster above points out the only controlled variable is the venue-teacher... but I guess some might consider some of the teachers sleazy :)

Hi lil’boo goat,
I have to say I’m very suprised about what you said about Misaels class. Misael is as really sleazy! It’s uncomfortable and I’m sure most women would agree.
Dad, I wouldn’t at all recommend Misael’s class if you’re looking to avoid sleaze.
Sorry, but someone had to say it.

I don’t really want to get involved in the whole debate about this as we could be here all day. But I would like to make a few points.

First, no matter where you go to dance salsa, there is always a chance there will be a few characters who are more intersted in meeting people than dancing. And that’s fine, cos salsa is a social dance and half the fun (for me anyway) is meeting new people and making friends. On occasions it can be uncomfortable - at the end of the day salsa is a sexy dance, and the more authentic you get, the sexier! As in any night club situation, if youre old enough to go out, you need to be old enough to look after yourself by telling someone youre not interested if theyre coming on a bit strong.

I think there would be plenty of decent men in cardiff who would actually feel a little uncomfortable dancing with someone so young. Not that its seedy at all, but many dancers are dads themselves, and wouldn’t want to be percieved as stepping over the line where a young girl is involved.

I often warn the dancers in my class - both women and men! - that any inappropriate behaviour won’t be tolerated. I know Andy does the same. On occasions women have told me they feel a little bit uncomfortable with how a man holds is hands, for example, but often the men have no idea as there concentrating so much on the moves. If they did know, I know theyd be mortified!

Dad - I would share your concerns if I had a 16 year old daughter. It may be worth waiting until she’s had a bit more experience “going out” to diffrerent night clubs so shes used to detering the “creeps” in different situations. With more experience, she’ll be in a better position to differentiate who’s genuine and who’s not - and have the guts to politely tell them to “bugger off”! :)