Salsa City Forum » Salsa Music and Dance » Learning Salsa

Hi, I go to the lessons in O'Neill's on a Monday nite and I enjoy it, but it gets a bit annoying when ur being taught by the proper person and half of the men u dance with think there the teacher and get a bit funny when u get it wrong. I've only been doing it for 5wks and still find sum of it hard to do so why do men think they're the best when half of them can't lead.

And why, when you are struggling to learn to lead a move, will half the ladies not be led and do the steps and move their hands as if you weren’t there? I found the routine tricky last night, and found it impossible trying to learn to lead whilst having my arms pulled here there and everywhere by some of the ladies who “knew what they were doing.” Still enjoyed dancing with you all.

Well lyndahedges, I agree that unfortuantely most men in Cardiff seem to have an arrogance about them where they pull u around, hurt u and then get pissed off when u get the steps wrong.

But in fairness to Imp, I also agree that a lot of women go off on a tangent and do their own thing anyway.

I dance as both leader and follower so know how frustrating both can be. The trick is to actually watch what the teachers are doing... I've noticed no one seems to do that here, they just keep dancing and then get funny when the teachers try and correct them. All of us, men and women that is, pay more attention, watch and listen to the teachers and have a bit of patience with our partners!

But the most important thing is, MEN DANCE TO THE WOMAN'S LEVEL!! If she can't do a triple spin don't make her... u do it. If she's comfortable and good at cross body leads and open turns keep doing them but vary the style. And women, there is nothing wrong with politely telling ur guy/partner that u haven't been doing it long and so please keep things easy.

Respect each other and dance with each other... it's not a comp between man and woman it's an exciting and enjoyable communication between the two people dancing.

Good advice, passionate salsera.

Things might improve if more women made it clear to arrogant and rough men that their behaviour is not acceptable, even if it means walking off the dance floor.

I sympathise with ‘imp’, though - if women try to ‘lead’ in the class then the man won’t learn to lead the move and the woman won’t learn to follow it.

I don't try to lead, I watch the teacher and let the men lead as that's what they're supposed to do. Don't get me wrong, a lot of men there are ok and understandin but sum who ave been goin for a long time try and tell u to listen to them not watch the teacher and that's where sum mess up.

I've danced at the Wharf and at the Toad for ages and have come across the problem of women leading since the beginning. But I have a secret GET PISSED, if you're pissed you don't care if they lead or if they don't follow (but I've found the more pissed I am the worse the women become! Funny that, maybe there's a link)?

If any of you dance at these places come and say hi, I'm the guy that stands by the pillar (Toad) with a bottle of white wine.

Well lyndahedges I suggest u do tell the guys to watch the teacher and not just to them. if they still get angry I would personally just refuse to dance with them, they'll soon get a reputation and soon no one will dance with them so it's their loss.

I dance at both The Toad and the Wharf too and I put my hands up and admit that I do sometimes start leading without thinking about it and I know it frustrates the men so apologies but I think it's because I actually dance as a leader most of the time.

I'm pretty sure I've danced with u loads Jeff if u are who I think u are and actually u seem to improve when ur drunk! it's good that u don't care when ur dancing, it's meant to be fun and so what if we screw up. Your actually a very good dancer even when ur sober! but I get picked on when I dance with u!

Jeff ov Ponty might think it works for him but, in general, drunken people in a salsa club are nothing but a dangerous nuisance. I think people who want to get the most out of a salsa night should pace their alcohol consumption very carefully.

A couple of drinks makes you improve IMHO. You relax a bit more and become more confident. Any more than a couple of pints though and you reach dangerous ground.

I would say that being tipsy makes you better but being smashed-out-of-your-box drunk make you a liability.

I don't drink when I'm there, only coke. I like to pay attention to the teacher. Sum guys r fun and we laugh about it and if I get it wrong I always say sorry. If I'm in the wrong I don't mind saying so as I've only been going for 5wks so I'm still going to get sum of it wrong. Just wish sum of the guys would lighten up.