Being led on ‘the male partner will lead you. Remember, don’t move on your own even if he goofs up, slows down, skips steps or makes wrong moves,’ thundered my salsa guru, not for the first time. My partner almost sniggered.
This was turning out to be more embarrassing than the embarrassment I wanted to escape. I had joined the dance class in the hope that I would stop sticking out like a pole at parties, what with people around me boogieing away to glory.
I tried to concentrate on the steps and follow my partner’s hint. And frankly, hated each moment of being subjected to the notion of waiting for the man to lead.
A change of music meant a change of partner. This, then, was my chance to shake a leg with a cute guy I’d been eyeing. My joy was cut short by the teacher. “Stop behaving like wrestlers, boys. Treat the girls gently. Or you’ll end up spraining their wrists,” he screamed in sheer exasperation, bringing swirling couples to a halt.
He went on droning about grace, aesthetics and other finer nuances of dancing. But, clearly, he’s been expecting too much. Especially because, on the dance floor, there was democracy at play. Everyone wanted to make independent moves. Some of them had movements like zombies; the over-enthusiastic ones rushed around in King Kong fashion taking huge steps, while others forgot their steps altogether, leaving partners clueless.
{{/usCountry}}He went on droning about grace, aesthetics and other finer nuances of dancing. But, clearly, he’s been expecting too much. Especially because, on the dance floor, there was democracy at play. Everyone wanted to make independent moves. Some of them had movements like zombies; the over-enthusiastic ones rushed around in King Kong fashion taking huge steps, while others forgot their steps altogether, leaving partners clueless.
{{/usCountry}}The primary task in such a class, however, is not to match steps but to avert impending disasters. A fellow dancer-in-training’s hand ached for two days after an overzealous partner powerfully pulled her around. Had another dancer not held onto his partner, she’d have landed on the floor after bumping into another out-of-sync pair. Things often spin out of control.
Fiascos apart, there are lessons to be learnt. Reading a partner’s signs, keeping cool even when feet are stamped on and being super-attentive even while eyeing ‘cute boys’ are other major lessons.
But my efforts are about to be rewarded. A ‘fair and handsome’ man now talks about ‘twirling’ me, filmy ishtyle, at the next party. This time, I wouldn’t mind being led on.