All right everyone, what is going on in the Latin night clubs across the country with all of this pushing, getting stepped on, "heeled", tripped, or even having your nose broken!? Too many dancers out there are going off on tangents that are endangering everyone else on the dance floor.

Our dear friend from Chicago, excellent dancer and salsaholic, Adrienne, had her nose broken by a couple who invaded Adrienne's and her partner's (the most excellent Louis) space. It truly was an accident and it came about only because the other couple are beginners and/or didn't understand the etiquette of the dance floor and of space: "you have your space and we have our space". Adrienne had these things to say after the accident that required her to have her broken nose repaired by a plastic surgeon:

1) Beginners need to be aware of their space and of others' space.

2) All dancers must learn control, through tight, clean footwork and controlled turns and spins.

3) Practice, practice, practice

4) Don't try things in a crowded club that you have not mastered through practice first in an uncrowded place

5) Women should refuse to execute moves that they know the partner hasn't the skills to lead when it puts her (and others) at risk

6) Same for the guys, some of the women are crazy - don't let them be

7) The men are leading the women as though they are driving a car in traffic - so the men MUST be aware of the surroundings and know that when the partner finishes a move - will the space already be occupied by another moving couple?

8) Small controlled steps will prevent all of those painful instep injuries that result when beginning dancers take big steps - especially on the backstep - and step on other dancers.

Now, back to my thoughts on dance floor etiquette. What is dance floor etiquette? The art of dancing, whether good or bad, in your own space. The art of not being all over the dance floor, unaware of or totally oblivious to the other people dancing around you. The art of having consideration for other dancers and of not intruding into their space, just as you wouldn't want them to intrude into yours.

A problem today is that too many people want to show off, whether they have the ability or not, or if they do - whether or not they have space. They want to turn, dip, flip and spin and don't seem to care that there are others on the dance floor, too.

Every dancer must adopt the philosophy of dancing in the "slot" or straight line, remaining in their own space, completely aware of who is around them and of how much space exists between them and the other couples. If the dance floor is crowded, don't try to dip your partner or to do a fancy turn combination because it will put your partner in someone else's space and put your partner at risk. Learn to dance in a "contained" manner.

If the floor is really open and empty, only then can you get fancy. If the floor is crowded, contain yourself, stay in your space.

Guys, remember that you are the one who leads the lady into everything that she does. You must be in control at all times and know where you are leading her, without invading another couple's space.

Ladies, if you are dancing with someone who is twirling you like a top, who has no control and who has you out of control - stop dancing! Let your partner know that he needs to work on his control. You do not want to be at risk because he hasn't the control to lead you well. If he does not listen, if he shows no consideration, then politely excuse yourself off the dance floor. Do not embarrass yourself or the person you are dancing with. It is preferable to being hurt yourself and preferable to hurting someone else.

Guys, if you are dancing with someone who does not know how to turn, who does not have the footwork, or who is herself wild, let her know that it is unbecoming or that she should take lessons. If you are not a dance Instructor yourself, then recommend someone that can help. Advise her to always be more conscious of the dancers around her.

It is our mission to make Chicago and the Dance communities of the world safer by having ALL dancers be more aware and considerate of each other. We need to pass this message on to others. Please cut and paste it into emails of your dancer friends. Let's all be conscious leaders, followers and messengers of proper DANCE FLOOR ETIQUETTE.

By: Miguel Mendez

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