Sweat & the Dance Floor

OK... You know the saying.. "It's a Jungle out there...."? Well, when it comes to salsa clubs, sometimes, it is.... but let me tell you what can happen in a hot, sweaty club.. (And to those of you with a polluted head ... [points at Lelek and Wilson] I know what you two are thinking when you read that...)

Anyway, back to my story... this came to mind after SalsaJay's outing to Cigar Divan @ Eastin. In anticipation of another great night of dancing and some great non-stop salsa music... when I reach the place with Stephanie, the place is packed and well, a tad too bright.. but that's not what this post is all about.

As I walk to the back of the club, I brush past some dancers at the edge of the dance floor and unluckily get stomped by a long, sharp heel down on my foot. And I'm not sure whether they are beginners or selfish dancers who are so busy still concentrating on their steps that they don't even bat an eyelash or say sorry.

Some of you may say, how can a dancer know the difference? Well, you take a crowded room full of experienced dancers and compare it to a room full of inexperienced dancers; and let me tell you how many times you were bumped into or stepped on. I can guarantee you it will be less than 10% or not at all because they usually are considerate about their floor space or stop their partner before they bump or step on another dancer.

But that was not the end of the night's dance...

Imagine the inexplicable feeling of dancing with a partner who's clothes are soaked to their skin; and actually do moves that make your hands brush against their sweaty clothes!

Or how about a sweaty two-kiss hello we all love to do but to have their sweaty cheeks bathe your own in sweat!

Dancers, please remember some basic etiquette rules as alot of the salsa venues seem to lack proper air conditioning:

1. Bring a change of clothes if you know you sweat alot the dance floor.

2. Don't actually kiss when you're sweaty... and let the dancer know that's why you're not really giving the proper hello or goodbye.

3. If a dancer insists on dancing with you, you can warn them that your clothes are soaked right through; therefore they have the chance to refuse.

And always, always watch out for your partner to ensure they don't bump or step on someone else on the dance floor. And if you do, please remember to apologize.

If you didn't even notice, guaranteed, you need to pay more attention to your dance space and not just on your partner and your moves.

PS. Maybe we should do like the JPJ and come up with some Defensive Dancing to cater to all this things.