Friday, I happened to sit through and watch a Salsa class (No No, not sauce. It's the dance I am talking about). Well, to be honest, I went there under the pretext of accompanying my friend. She had just joined the classes and that was only her second day.

Being a horrible dancer and having an extraordinary creativity to come up with the same step for every different beat and music, I am usually more than happy to sit aside and watch my friends dancing. Often my friends turn into villain trying to persuade me in to dancing. These are the times when only your physical strength (like holding on to your chair firmly etc) can save you. And these are the times I realized that two girls are stronger than one guy. Anyways, this time I was certain that no one will compel me to dance. After all, it was a paid-service. I mean the dance classes.

So, there I was sitting, watching people trying the steps they had just learnt in the previous classes. They say you usually have to have a partner to dance with. That makes it even more difficult, I wondered. Anyways, It wasn't my problem and I was comfortable and relieved at the place where I was sitting. A much better and safer place to make your observations!

First of all, there were more men than girls, which meant that guys had to await their turn to get their partner. And guess what! You get to choose your partner. I mean, if you are not shy about going and standing in front of the man/girl you like, with a grin on your face. The grin is not mandatory, of course. And so...It looks more like those old days of princess and swayamwara - men waiting to be chosen in line for the girls.

For some inexplicable reasons, girls seemed to enjoy the set-up more than men. I would not understand why. I had the idea that one should look at their partner in eyes. However, a lot of dancers, mostly men, were aloof in their body language, as though saying that 'I am dancing with you only because I have to'. I had a feeling that some of the men were shy when it came to brushing shoulders and arms with their partners. On the contrary most of the girls were having a good time, with a genuine smile on their face. Note for men here: You got to keep your pride aside before stepping in to the dance room. Be natural. If you are having a good time, nothing wrong in letting others know that you are.

As far as dance itself was concerned, I was not expecting Jim Carry and Cameron Diaz in action, like I had seen in "The Mask". (Thanks for correcting, Bhavana & Sangeeta. Except Helen Hunt, I don't seem to remember any other Hollywood actress' name) The movements were to be slow-paced and measured, I am told. I noticed some people were graceful in their movements while others always found their feet pounding the ground a fraction of second earlier than they had expected.

One last and most important remark. There should be a rule stating that only girls with long hair should be allowed for Salsa and more importantly with their hair untied. It's a lovely sight that a girl whirls around with her hair flying freely. I am sure my co-spectators will agree with me on this.
*grin*