Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » Know your enemy

John Pamplin has done that on occasions, but it doesn’t have much effect because nobody actually thinks that he’s talking to them - it’s clearly all those other people who won’t get out of the way who are the problem : )

“You over there in the red shirt! You’re a galumphing menace” Actually it would be very funny, but probably do more harm than good in the long term. If I’m annoying anyone I’d rather they had a quiet, diplomatic word.

I think the main problem is that these idiots are not good dancers. They have been in frequent collisions since they started dancing (for years in some cases) and they think this is normal!
An announcement by the DJ appealing for people to “keep it very small” should work.

A further announcement that if you are involved in a collision you should look at your dancing technique may be required.
If you do get kicked/trodden on keep it light but complain to the person concerned e.g. “please be more careful” or “what was the name of that move?” They may eventually get the message.
If all this doesn’t work shoot them.

Apart from the fact that a good teacher in cross body will certainly have told you to take small steps, within your own foot's width. not just for the fact that it looks neater or more attractive but it also allows for speed if needed, and to dance tightly with your partner if required. a thing I teach my students in a beginners class. But if a woman is crashing into anyone it is purely the mans fault, it is his responsibility to insure the saftey of his partner on the dance floor. Men, look where you are sending the woman you are dancing with.

I agree that there are certain people who need a bloody good slap when it comes to dancing but equally I think we could all be a bit more gracious with each other. Every single lesson/dance event I go to I get trodden on, elbowed, or something, so unfortunately it happens everywhere u go... Or maybe I’m the one causing the collisions?? Could be, I’ll be careful... I always apologise if I knock someone and that’s what gets me, people seem so rude and aggressive! There’s no need... And as for Tarzan, well, I went ballistic at him (if it’s the same guy) as he dipped me but in a way that had I not have been able to support myself I would have seriously injured my back and given that I fractured my back last year it was a very real possibility!

So anyway... Number one rule... NEVER, AND I MEAN NEVER, dip, lift or drop a girl without asking her first! She could have any kind of problem and equally the man can really do himself some damage too!

Sorry for rambling... The only other point I wanted to make is that accidents do happen and while there are some maniacs who shouldn’t be on the dance floor some of us really don’t mean to! U know how it is when ur dancing, looking someone in the eye and nothing else around u seems to matter... But no excuses... We should all look out for each other.

You know, I understand that outing Tarzan is probably not the best thing, not courteous or polite etc.
But spare a thought for any other tall dark men who are trying their best to dance well and may for all we know be having a really tough time cos people thinks they might be tarzan...

Or maybe I’m just too new, and really everyone knows who you mean?

Speaking as a tall and dark man, though not an 80’s throwback (was only born in late 77), I’ve been finding that busy classes are the best because then you have to use small steps which are generally classier and tighter. I remember I used to dance Lindy-hop and that was very different!! People stayed out of your way! Same thing with skanking come to think of it...

Anyway I’m not great yet, but I hope I’m not your enemy!

Hehehe. I’ve found the more I practice and the more classes I take (and pay attention in!) the less other inconsiderate people bump into me / spike me with their heels / bang into me with their elbows. They seem to get better the more I learn. Funny that. ;-) I wonder how many menaces out there are cursing everyone and anyone around them for getting in their way.