It is said that you never forget your first…your first kiss, first time you “did it”, first time you danced bachata… My girl-friend brought one of her co-workers to one of our social dancing events. He’s never heard Latin music, he’s never seen how it’s danced, he was a dance-virgin… It’s impossible to teach someone to dance Salsa on the fly, but Bachata can be done (mostly if you are a man). The rumor goes that Bachata, just like Tango, was invented by the prostitutes. It’s very sensual and slow, please see for yourself:



And so I took his hang and guided him to the dance floor. Step-step-step-hip, that’s all he needed to know, I did the rest. As I was dancing with him, I realized how powerful this dance was. I could feel his breathing was changing, the grip became different and, yes-yes, I turned him on. The power of dance is amazing!

Guess what? He is going to take bachata lessons :)

1. Please, please, please use some breath mints. We dance up close and personal and I really don’t want to know what you had for dinner. Additionally, do not eat anything with garlic right before going out dancing for the same reasons.

2. Wear cologne, but not too much of it. Although natural body odor is not that sexy when you are dancing, too much cologne is also suffocating.

3. Don’t small talk me. I’m here to dance. I don’t want to know where you are from and I defiantly don’t want to know what you do.

4. Do offer me a drink, if you feel like it, although I can afford to buy myself one, so most likely I will refuse.

5. Do complement me on my dancing style and technique.

6. Do not lead me as though you are driving a car in traffic. Be aware of your surroundings. While dancing on Saturday with one man, I spent the entire song apologizing to other couples for bumping into them. Several songs later his new partner run into me and looked very embarrassed. I saw that lady dance before and she was a good dancer. It’s just her lead had no idea how to use the space around him properly.

And finally,

7. Do not under any circumstances ask me if I have a boyfriend or (even worst) if you can have my number. I’m not here to find a boyfriend or a one night stand. I just love dancing.

I'm taking Salsa lessons, not just any Salsa lessons, but private lessons. It is truly a dream come true. I love every moment of it. My body is finally giving in and my extra left foot is slowly becoming a right one again. I can actually do all of the beginner moves without missing a bit and slowly moving along through the intermediate and club moves (check out "Tics and Wiggles", I can do it, yes I can!) (50ml_martini, the link is specifically for you).

There is only one little problem... as with most other dances, the man is the leader and the woman is the follower. The man guides the woman by giving her "claves" (read little tugs, pushes, or checks) that let her know when to turn, dip, etc. I'm learning to follow, I have no choice (although I'm constantly telling my teacher that he is not teaching me right, if I can't lead in dance, I can at least lead in the teaching process). In my opinion, following is much harder then leading.