| Salsa is all about your connection with the partner you | | | | makes you feel uncomfortable. If you find yourself |
| are dancing with. Unfortunately, sometimes you do | | | | wondering whether salsa is about allowing men to |
| stumble upon people who are all to ready to establish | | | | touch you in all the places your common sense tells |
| that connection, in fact, a very tangible one. | | | | you he should not, then stop. Because salsa is not a |
| Truth be told, the lovely world of salsa is not spared | | | | 'touchy feely' dance and the genuine dancers would |
| from the occasional plague of opportunistic men, who | | | | never touch you in places other than your shoulder |
| dance for the thrill of getting a chance to deliberately | | | | blades, hips and hands. |
| misplacing their hands. | | | | 3) Be alert. If you have accepted a dance against your |
| Opps, a brush across the chest 'cos she did not turn | | | | better judgement, then be vigilant at all times. Do not |
| fast enough. | | | | get to caught up with trying to following his crazy turn |
| Or a convenient brush on the behind while trying to | | | | patterns, just keep your cool and keep your distance. If |
| lead by the hips. | | | | he tries to lead you into a compromising position, then |
| The fact is: 100% of men are hot-blooded males. | | | | don't do it. Just let go of his hand, go "oops" and |
| 99.9% of men who dance salsa are decent, polite | | | | pretend you did not get that lead. |
| gentlemen. But it's that 0.01% that women have to be | | | | Remember, men may initiate the lead but it is up to the |
| wary of, especially the newbies. | | | | ladies to accept it and choose to follow. Even though it |
| Most of the seasoned dancers avoid them like a | | | | may be a male-dominated dance, in a sense, there is |
| plague, however, it is always the innocent and | | | | always room for women's rights. |
| unsuspecting beginner ladies who are the unfortunate | | | | In the unfortunate event that an incident occurs, do not |
| victims. | | | | be afriad to speak up. 'Cos if you do not, nobody will |
| Here is some advice for the newbies out there: | | | | be able to help you! |
| 1) Be a little more streetwise. If you would not let a | | | | I hope this has not scared any of you beginners who |
| suspicious, sleazy-looking man into your home, then do | | | | are eager to start dancing. It really is not that bad, a |
| not let such men near your bosom. Trust your gut | | | | few bad eggs does not spoil the whole basket. It is |
| instincts (all women have it! just search deeper) Avoid | | | | just a matter of raising awareness so women do not |
| men who give you the bad vibes, if you are unsure of | | | | let their guard down just because they are learning a |
| his intentions, then turn him down politely first. If later on | | | | new dance. |
| you realise that you have misjudged his character, | | | | Try going with your instructor to the salsa club for the |
| then you can always ask him for a dance. | | | | first time, he/she will probably point out who to be |
| 2) Do not feel obligued to continue a dance which | | | | wary off. |
