Helpful Hints - Dancing Tips 
Tips, questions, and advice from both female and male Salseros who have sent me Emails from around the World....  I place the former "Tips of the Month" at the bottom of this page...

How to Choose a Good Instructor...

When is a dress too tight?

LADIES... your dress or outfit is too tight when you can see your PANTY LINE at your waist and/or hips.   You can do one or all of the following: 

1)  Buy a larger dress / outfit
2)  Get underwear that doesn't cut into your body, creating a line. 
3)  Wear black
4)  Stay home

Well ladies, let me tell you all the wonderful reasons why, when, and how, I wear skin-colored fishnet pantyhose.

Although it may be hard to believe, but I am not the skinniest and sexiest Salsera in the world, so I've had to resort to wearing fishnets to cover up certain elements of cellulite that may or may not be there at any given time, primarily depending on WHAT I'VE EATEN the week before and that certain TIME OF THE MONTH...

Even more incredibly, I do not have Cindy Crawford's legs, length, nor TAN... so I must resort to doing something... ANYTHING about it.

I've discovered that wearing skin-colored fishnets, from afar, and up close, tends to appear to tighten-up your legs, and cover up any small FAT "abnormalities" - which are really, actually quite normal, but considered "ABNORMAL" because of the way our society views starving, underweight models and dancers as the norm.

Before I start getting hate mail from starving, underweight models and dancers, let me remind you that this article is about why "I" wear fishnets, not them. That's all. There are more women like me out there who have constantly struggled their entire lives with their weight, and through some sort of unfortunate spell of bad luck, have not, nor will ever, have beautiful long sexy legs. 

Myself included.

Fishnets have a great way of making your legs look shaplier. They have a way of hugging the leg, and strapping it in, avoiding the jiggly-wiggly, cellulite-ridden affect of jumping up and down on the dancefloor, under lights coming straight down on you.

For a performance or dancing on film, wearing fishnets is essential. Even women with absolutely gorgeous legs wear them!  Like a camera, or a film, stage lights have a very keen way of making you look ten pounds heavier. Because of the way some lights shine from the top of the stage down upon you, the little folds and lines of any part of your body and skin are much more evident because of the downward shadows created from ceiling lights that are made more clear. When you're on film, the camera doesn't show as many lines because of the side lights of the television studio. Rarely will there be only lights from the top ceilings. So if you don't want to see cellulite, or wrinkles, ask the camera or stage crew to place the lighting on the sides of you, not over you.

Trust me, I found this out when I competed as a bodybuilder years ago. If you had ONE OUNCE of fat on you, it showed, and showed up very clearly because of the ceiling lights.

Wearing fishnets saves plenty of embarrassment on stage, and can also serve as a way of tightening up your legs during social dancing.

The tough part about them is the toes. Sometimes my toes rip through them, stick out by the end of the evening, and it DRIVES ME CRAZY trying to keep them in. What I've done, is simply fold over the bottoms to cover the tops of my toes. That's the only relief from the threads cutting into your toes while dancing.

When they tear, it's best to just sew them up with the same color thread. Try getting elastic clear thread as well. Works wonders.

Fishnets should be bought without the line in the back, and be stretchy. If you buy the type with the line in the back, you've got to constantly go to the bathroom and make sure the line is straight. It's funny when you see a gal on the dance floor with the line in the back of her leg look like a zig-zag, and by the end of the evening wrapped over her knee!

The most expensive type of fishnet stockings feel and look the best. In the United States, they run about $25 per pair. They're not cheap, so take good care of them. I like buying the type with the pre sewn-in crotch, because the crotch always seems to tear the first.

Speaking of crotches, (sorry, but you know me, I've got to be blunt.) when wearing fishnets, please wear your underwear OUTSIDE of them. There's nothing worse than seeing a flare dress with underwear inside the fishnets.

I also like wearing fishnets when I have a very long shoe straps, and want to have that "Roman woman" affect on the dance floor. You know the type of dance shoes, with the super long laces that are about four-feet long that criss-cross & wrap up your leg? I know you don't know the type, but I'm trying to tell you, that believe it or not, it's what I sometimes wear to clubs. I take the long straps, and criss-cross them up my legs and tie the top to the fishnet stockings, right below the backs of my knees. Works wonders for keeping the straps up during wild and crazy Salsa Dancing!

I also found out that some women wear them underneath their tight pants to tighten up their legs and butt for a more shaplier look. Isn't it AMAZING the expense, time, and effort it takes to look good sometimes? Unbelievable.

If you're wearing a dress, and during dancing, you realize it's "rubbing" your nipples raw...
If you realize this during dancing, and don't want to go home due to your Salsa-fix needs, go to the management's office at the club, and ask for some tape - any tape. Tape 'em up baby! But, if you know this PRIOR to going out, see about sewing a bra into the inside of the dress. Make sure bra is the same color as the dress. If that doesn't work, and you refuse to wear a bra, wear bandaids over your nipples prior to going out. This prevents the soreness the next day!

Ladies Hotpants
Killer Tip-of-the-Week from Lil' Princess of the Chatboard
Ladies, do you own a pair of hot pants that does not look too hot on you because the are not tight enough to hold you together? I have a great solution for all of you. Go to Sears and buy one of their 70% lycra panty hose or any other hose that is SO SO tight that makes you look flawless. They are about $8.00. Hold it!... I know what you are thinking by now.. "But I don't want to wear nasty thick hosiery with my sexy shoes!" No problem, here is the secret: Cut the feet off!!! That's right, cut the feet and the elastic around the waist off. You may want to leave a little bit of the waist on the sides. The object is to have a tight look without it looking like you are wearing panty hose. You want to cut most of the elastic off the waist, because most hot pants are cut low, and even if they aren't, if you leave the elastic waist band on, it'll cut you off and make you look real bad, even if you are in shape. And the BEST part of all this is that your pants will not crawl up anymore!! You can all thank me later... ; )

Swimsuit under a flair skirt...
"Edie,
Do you think that certain swimsuits look better than others (e.g. the ones with more frills or the ones with the "x" at the back)? I think that the swimsuit that I have looks too much like one...do you know what I mean? It's just a regular tank type with the entire back exposed. What do you think?"

Good question. One piece swimsuits are great for dancing with a skirt. The type should be the fancy, non-Speedo type. Don't get the types that have words like "Nike" or "Speedo" on them, nor the types where the back has the four-inch width of material that covers your spine. Those are the type the Olympic Athletes wear, and because the event is televised, the entire world will know that you are wearing an Olympic swimsuit.

Get the fancy frill types with bare backs, cross backs, halter backs, whatever. You can pick any one-piece style, but avoid the "small butt" ones that crawl up and become a thong by the end of the first song.

Get the type that hugs the side of your chest (so nothing falls out) and your legs like dance underwear (so nothing creeps up). Try to find French-cut if you can. They make your legs look longer. Try the swimsuit on in the dressing room first (over your underwear of course). Jump up and down, do a spin, lift your arms up high, shake, jiggle, shimmy, hike your legs up, around, bend over, stretch, contort your body in every possible way to make sure nothing "pops out" nor "creeps up". This will ensure you of the flexibility of the suit. And who knows....while trying it on in front of the mirror in that dressing room, you may even invent a new solo move in there!!!

Great tip from Burbujas
"Dear Edie,
I was reading all your hot tips, from what to wear to wear to escape from spike heels. Thanks!
I've only been dancing for 6 years, but I've had to work out a lot of these solutions myself, and helping my friends with them too. So, now I can tell them to just refer to your pages ;-)
1 addition about what to wear: someone mentioned 1-piece swimsuit, I prefer bicycle suits, the type with short leggings, then sew stretchy lace around the legs part. Sparkly/glittery fabric paints can come in handy too. Makes for great projects for Monday "recuperation" nights!"

Practice your Salsa moves during the Merengue songs!!
One topic of the conversation was that the Salsa dancers pretty much abandon Merengue. However, for the beginners and intermediate dancers it is a good way to practice the more complicated turns and arm combinations.
- Bob Westmont

Too Much Hair!!
On the male "beef" side: it is amazing how painful sometimes it can be to be whipped across the face (or eyes) by the flying mane of a pirouetting long haired partner. Unfortunately, I don't have any recommendation here except to perhaps expect it and keep the hands up, protecting the face. I wonder whether other dancers have any opinion on this.
- Bob Westmont

Well let's see. Long hair, to most men is sexy - in fact, women get all kinds of hell from their male counterparts when they cut their hair. Those of us with long hair, well, we can put it up, but I find that if I don't GLUE IT DOWN with 1000 bobby pins, spray, goop, and other atrocious stuff, it just flies out!! Believe me, I've tried. Also Latina hair is sometimes a lot thicker than most, and it is next to impossible to keep up - especially when doing hundreds and hundreds of turns in a single night. We have to live with Nature's law of Centrifical Force and Gravity. If you don't want the girl's hair to fly out, then don't turn her so much - YOU ARE IN CONTROL, YOU are the man, the leader, my friend.

I think guys are just going to have to expect that. If it bothers them, they can dance with someone that has shorter hair.... SORRY!!

Underwear...
Well, I'm glad you asked.

Men, Don't wear Boxers. Period.

You're dancing a Merengue with a guy. Suddenly you feel like a broomstick has just appeared between your legs....
I KNOW THIS IS EMBARRASSING... Yes, the Freak is ABOUT TO GO THERE.... Ok, here it goes. Killer tip.... from the "Male Beef" side...

Wear the kind of men's underwear that is tight, and looks like shorts. This prevents the "broomstick" affect.

Let me re-phrase that. It will not prevent the actual affect, but at least the broom can be semi-controlled by quickly bending down (preferably while turning away from the girl...and the audience...) and gently lifting it from within your pocket, and pressing it up against your body...

She'll never notice.

OK, I went there, now I'm back..... WHEW!!!

Now for the ladies...
This is a bit more complicated. I always had a problem with underwear. What type? What color? How High? How Low? What brand? Should I go without?  

First of all.... just WHAT are your intentions?  No, no, no, let me re-phrase that. What is good taste? Ladies, it doesn't matter what your intentions are, if it's done in good taste, your intentions won't matter in this department. A man WILL NOT find a cellulite-ridden BUTT flattering, no matter how much you think you "don't" have cellulite. Believe me, when you have that "thong" on (butt floss...G-string, whatever you call it...) EVERY BIT OF extra skin/fat can be seen - especially when you're jumping around the dance floor, and under lights. Thongs are NOT appealing while dancing - to men, to women, to innocent by-standers - NO ONE. Thongs are only appealing when a person is in a photograph, or just lying there on the beach - when nothing is wiggling or jiggling... 

Unless you are a bodybuilder, in pre-contest condition, with ripped abs, and striated glutes (buns) hard enough for a bullet to bounce off of, you should not wear a thong under a dress that flairs up when you spin or turn. I agree, thongs are great. They're comfortable. They prevent the good 'ole "BUTT CRAWL that other underwear causes. They eliminate that "picking your butt" look when you're trying to UNRAVEL IT out from your crack after a dance.
(I HATE THAT!!!).  

Here are a few rules that all women should follow (unless of course, you want to get stared at, talked about, and I don't think you'd like hearing what men as well as women are saying about you.... ) 

• If you are wearing pants, you don't need to wear underwear. However, if the pants are white, wear fish nets or hose underneath. (avoid white pants...) White pants, unless you are in SUPREME condition, make your butt look larger and show EVERY bit of cellulite you own. (yes, I do notice these things - God only knows why...) If you wear pants, wear thong underwear - the same color or nude colored. Thongs under pants will prevent the "butt pick" look from you trying to unravel your underwear, under the pants. (which is SO HARD sometimes!!! Especially if you're all sweaty and GROSS)
• If you are wearing a flare skirt. You know, the kind that when you spin, your underwear shows.... OK. My partner loves these skirts. What man doesn't? HOWEVER....DO NOT wear thong underwear with these dresses. Believe me, I've heard it described (from men) as the following:
  • "She's a whore."
  • "She's got no class." 
  • "She's out for something." 
  • "I was going to ask her to dance, but not now..." 
  • "What is she thinking about?" 
  • "She needs to get to the gym." 
  • "That is pretty sick..." 
  • "I think I'm going to be sick..." 
  • "I don't feel like watching that..." 

....... yes, ladies, the above comments are FROM MEN believe it or not. And these are relatively "thin" women that they're talking about! There was one gal last year who wore a thong under a flare dress at a competition, and NOBODY noticed the way she danced. JUST her BUTT - which was flabby and wiggled and jiggled.... even though she looked in relatively good shape everywhere else! She even had a flat stomach and great muscle tone.... BUT HER BUTT LOOKED TERRIBLE!!! The sad thing was, that she didn't even know it, and I don't think anyone had the nerve to tell her.  

• If you are wearing a skirt or dress that absolutely does not flare, wear the thong. It will be more comfortable, and won't show a panty line.
• ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear your underwear OUTSIDE of your fishnets or pantyhose. There is NOTHING WORSE than seeing a woman's butt, over-ridden with hose, and the underwear, underneath. This looks so tacky. The whole reason for the hose is to "simulate" perfect skin on the legs. So this simulation should actually "be" the leg. 
• Type of underwear to buy for dancing: 

Go to a dance shop, and get regular "dance briefs". The French high-cut type. They are expensive (~$10-$20), but will last for YEARS. They are very stretchy and sturdy, and made for dancers who move around a lot. Don't wear the K-mart or Mervyn's or regular department store type while dancing. These will crawl up your behind faster than you can spin and will wad up constantly. Besides, they look cheap.  

• I've seen some women wear stretch shorts under their dresses. This is fine too. It's the ultra-conservative look that looks very nice and "non-threatening". 

As for thongs, any will do. There's not much there, so it doesn't really matter where you buy these. Just make sure you wear them in good taste. Thongs are made for comfort only - NOT TO BE SEEN - except at the beach. Keep them at the beach, NOT on the dance floor, because the entire world will see your flabby, flappy BUTT - NOT the thong!!!  

• What Color?: When in doubt, wear black. 
• Comment from a friend: "I liked the "Helpful Hints". The only change I'd make is to tell women to ALWAYS wear underpants without exception. Unless they never sweat, they will find that underpants may help prevent some embarrassment - from a wet stain in the front if they are wearing pants, to a wet spot on the seat if they are in a short skirt."

To wear a bra or NOT WEAR A BRA.... Another interesting question... 
If you wear one, the bra must be the same color as your dress. No questions asked. The bra should not be seen - ever, unless it is in good taste, and part of the "outfit". If you don't have ....."much", (like me), going without one will not make any difference - sad, but true. But if you are .... "well endowed", get a sports bra, or one that's firm and stable, so when you are dancing, you are dancing with just ONE partner, not THREE.  

To wear hose, or to not wear hose.... THAT is a GOOD question... 
I don't usually wear hose. Believe it or not, I've had more men tell me that they HATE hose. They like the "bare" look. Read my diet plan to accomplish this goal ladies! But, if I have to wear something, I'll wear the "skin-colored" fishnets. They're great because they stretch, and last a LONG TIME. They will run you about $20. Get the most expensive, stretchy type - the kind WITHOUT the line down the back (unless you like that look...).  

Sometimes fishnets or hose helps if you're doing a competition and need to do the splitz, or rub your legs on the floor. Also, if YOU KNOW you have cellulite, WEAR HOSE. Dance more, work on your diet, and lo and behold, one day you will not need to wear hose!  

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear your underwear OUTSIDE of your fishnets or pantyhose. There is NOTHING WORSE than seeing a woman's butt, over-ridden with hose, an the underwear, underneath. This looks very tacky. The whole reason for the hose is to "simulate" perfect skin on the legs. So this simulation should actually "be" the leg. So, your skin should be "under" your underwear.  

Don't EAT GARLIC THAT WHOLE DAY....NO, NO, NO onions or GARLIC!!!. (even the smell of a recent burger on someone's breath is noticable.....) There is NOTHING WORSE than dancing with someone and KNOWING what they just ate - ESPECIALLY onions and garlic!! When a man or woman smells of garlic, you bet I will tell them - even if I don't know them very well. You will not believe the "Thank you"'s and words of appreciation I get from people who are completely unaware of their odors. They right away put their hand over their mouth, ask me for gum, or go to the bathroom and wash up. I've had some people even leave the club for 30 minutes and come back smelling better! Think about it, you're doing them a favor. I would certainly want someone to tell me! I would hate putting someone through a dance having to put up with garlic breath! Ugh! 

• I have a simple, three-step process for hinting to a person that they smell like garlic and need to take care of it. I tell them in a friendly way, but am really quite frank about it. This is how I do it. I don't care who it is, male or female, Joe Blow or the Pope. 

•  
  • First, you pull them over to the side of the dance floor, 
  • Second, grab them by both shoulders, 
  • Third, gently smile, and whisper in their ear, "YOU SMELL LIKE GARLIC."

    - Works like a charm.  

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As you ask a lady to dance always be a gentleman not a brute! Don't just grab her - unless she's your sister or great friend. Don't "assume" she wants to dance with you....she may not ... 

Always respect other men's girlfriends or significant others - you sometimes may not know it, but if you "suspect" that person is "taken", ask the significant "other" if you may dance with thier wife/spouse/girlfriend/partner, whatever. Believe me, they appreciate it, and will respect you for it. 90% of the time, they will be more than happy to let you dance with their significant "other". I've even had some ladies thank me and say "Oh please do, because I'd like to dance with someone else for a change!!!".....  

Be friendly but not naive! - This is good advice, especially for the ladies. If you're out to dance and have fun, just dance and have fun. Dance with as many different men as you can. This will turn-off anyone who has different intentions for you. However, if you're going dancing and out for something more than just dancing, don't let the whole world know about it. Be specific, quietly, and have some class. Nobody wants to deal with an obnoxious drunk - this goes for women as well as men.... Ladies, don't play "dumb blonde". This will get you in big trouble, and in fact turns off many men. You'll look and act "loose" and unrespectable. Believe me, a man will KNOW and FEEL when you're interested in him. You don't need to make it obvious.  

Buy your dance clothes at thrift stores and cut, sew, sequence, and fringe them up! Your dresses will get TRASHED anyway, so why ruin something expensive? It's so dark in most clubs anyway, that no one will be able to tell the difference!  

New dress finding info from a fellow Cyber-Salsera!  
"Edie: I went looking for dance stuff today and ended up at the Capezio company store. I thought of you because you had mentioned that were looking for more dance clothes. They had demo dance "costumes" for sale for $25. I don't know if you're into to those (they're not my personal favorites), but they are made of spandex and sequins, basically. They also had more subdued outfits -- cool-looking leotards and little sheer wrap skirts, matching flare leg pants and flare arm bare-waist, tie tops in panne velvet, catsuits, etc. These were more expensive (between $30-$50/piece), but I believe they were all machine washable.My personal favorite is Ross. I usually buy dresses for $15. Today I bought a bright red, satin flare dress, sleeveless -- for that much...." 

How to prevent falling asleep on the road or freeway at 2:30-3:00am after dancing: I rub my hands very rapidly together, like I'm freezing. I also chew gum, drink water, roll down the window, and play SALSA music REAL LOUD.... 

• A tip from another cyber-pal: "Oh, and my late night driving tip is to eat those atomic fireballs: you can't fall asleep while your tongue is burning!" - Laura Lising

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Don't drink too much alcohol (or non at all) while dancing. This screws up your spinning and fun. 

Here's a GREAT question: "Edie, one thing I did want to ask you is how do you dance on a crowded floor? I know you mentioned to keep your feet on the ground, but I honestly don't like being crowded. You really can't do the moves without hitting somebody!" 

That's why I said "Salsa is a CONTACT SPORT". In all my life, I have NEVER received so many bruises from accidental hits in ANY SPORT. I can't even remember getting this banged up rough-housing and wrestling with my little brother when we were kids! What's worse, is when your dance partner gets mad and ends up banging and crashing into people just to piss them off. Sometimes you just can't dance to that song. Sometimes you'll just have to kick back and enjoy the music! Dance solo to the rythm, clap your hands, shake your shoulders, close your eyes, and groove with it. BUT. If you just can't stand it, and just HAVE TO GET OUT THERE, here's a few things that work:  

• Keep your feet close to the floor. If you pick them up too much, you step on people. And when you DO step on someone and you KNOW IT, please, look at them, acknowledge it, touch their shoulder and appologize. They won't kill you. 9 times out of 10, they'll smile and say "It's OK.". Always, always, always sincerely applogize.  It drives me crazy when some gal NAILS the top of my foot with her SPIKE HEEL and KNOWS IT, and continues dancing without even saying "sorry.". The same when a man the size of an elephant STOMPS on my bare toe and keeps going, not missing a beat. AAARRRRGGGGGHHH!!!!!!  
• Foot Stories: 
  One time I nailed a woman, and I immediately embraced her shoulders and back with my right arm and said "Oh my God, I'm so sorry..." because I KNEW I hurt her pretty bad. I felt so terrible. But after she saw that I was sincere, she brushed it off, and limped to her seat. I felt like @#$%^. I felt ssssooooo bad!!! I appologized again after the song was over. Sometimes you just can't help it, and need to mellow out for a while. There was another time, I was at St. Marks, and I kept stepping on this older gentleman over and over again. The funny thing was, that I would only end up stepping on him when I was dancing with one particular guy. I appologized every time, but then I realized that the guy I was dancing with couldn't stand that older guy, and was causing me to do it! WHAT A SCUM BAG, I thought. I could have told him off, but I'm not one for making enemies, so the next time he asked me to dance, I pulled him as far away from that older guy as possible... clear to the other side of the dance floor... 
• Keep your steps small (within 1.5 feet of your center) and hold your partner close. Don't do too many turns. You can make this into a very wonderful experience... 
• Go to the outer edges of the dance floor and dance. At least you only have a 180 degree area (and 50% less frequency of hits) where people can't bash into you. 
• Dance in the hallways, next to the tables, or outside the boundaries of the dance floor. Nobody said you HAVE to stay on the dance floor! Some of the best dancing I've seen is done on the carpet! This will also give a hint to the owners to actually EXPAND THE FLOOR.  
• Very smoothly and suttley, make room by GENTLY nudging against other people.  
• Say "Oh, excuse me, uh, sorry, oops, oh, SORRY!", then they'll move.  
• Wait for a cha cha... 

  Comment from a friend: "Edie, Your tips about dancing in a crowded floor are right on. Not teaching dancing manners is one pet peeve I have with some of these dance instructors. They don't tell people how to tone it down when it's crowded or how to alter their dance style when the floor is mobbed. They don't teach the guys how to look out for their partners. Good for you." - Bill Washington 
  Comment form another friend:   "I just saw the part in your "tips" re: dancing in a crowd about the break step not being more than 1.5 feet.  What are you measuring from?  The left toe to the right heel?  This is an important part of "crowd relations".  Let's make sure everyone knows: you don't need a big break step and can dance beautifully by simply putting your right foot back so the toe is next to or just behind the left heel (when taking the break step back) or stepping forward on the left so that the left heel lines up with the right toe again.  May feel strange at first, but that's because instructors very often don't point this out!  This really cuts down on getting "hooked" by another dancer."  - Leigh Harrison 

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What you should carry in the trunk of your car AT ALL TIMES: 

1. an extra emergency dancing dress (you never know when you'll be going out at the last minute from shopping or after a dinner out...)
2. extra underwear and hose  
3. extra dance shoes 
4. perfume  
5. deoderant 
6. a fan (can be bought at any novelty oriental store. Price ranges from ~$1.50 to $20) 
7. club passes 
8. small jacket 
9. salsa music (just in case you get stuck in a snow storm) 
10. sweats & tennis shoes (just in case you're going home, and you get cold...or you find someone special at a club and you need some clothes for the next day!!! YOU DID NOT READ THIS HERE......) 

    ---

Dance with EVERYBODY - not just one person. This will make you a better dancer.  

LET'S TALK ABOUT SWEAT...

"Dear Edie,
I was wondering if you have any tips or comments on the subject of SWEATY MEN!!!

Recently I have had several unpleasant experiences of dancing in class and at clubs with men who seem like they have just taken a shower- but let me tell you, they don't smell like it!

I understand that clubs and dance studios may be hot and poorly ventilated, but I think I speak for all women in asking the male salseros of the world to PLEASE, PLEASE WEAR DEODORANT!!!

Also, it might help if men who get extremely sweaty try: (1) sitting out a dance or two to dry off; (2) bringing a towel; (3) stop leading those full (or any) body contact moves when things start getting out of hand.

I know that women sweat as well, but most of the women I know take major precautions to make sure that if they sweat, they still smell like a rose. A little cologne, a little hygiene, and a lot of deodorant go a long way.

Salsa is supposed to be a sexy dance, but I think men should know, IT'S NOT SEXY TO BE SWEAT ON BY A STRANGER WHO SMELLS!!!

I think if you post something on this subject, it will provide a great public service for all of us women.
Thanks!

Response from a reader:
"Dear Edie,
Obviously deodorant and fine colonge on the body and neck are a must.

For the sweat I would suggest that all men wear an Italian style low cut T-shirt under their shirt to absorb the 1st layer of sweat and make sure that the Tshirt has some colonge on it. This should keep the outer shirt dry. If the gentleman knows that he sweats profusely, then wear the outer shirt outside to create ventilation between the T-shirt and outer shirt for more of a drying effect coupled with heat loss. If none of this works then run 10 miles, do not drink any water, take a shower, get dressed do the colonge and dance till you drop. " CruzadoConejo@webtv.net

From Edie:

Gentlemen:
Let's talk about SWEAT.
I would like to suggest bringing a spare cotton shirt (or two) with you to the clubs. Do not wear silk shirts when dancing - EVER!!! Silk does not absorb water as well as cotton or cotton combinations. It gets completely sticky, gross, and the resulting sweat stains are disgusting. WET SPOTS on silk shirts quickly become VERY CLEARLY DARK AND VISIBLE under the arm pits, on the chest, and lower back areas - YUCK! Once you've started to sweat in silk, your shirt will not look dry the entire evening... not even after you've stopped dancing for a while. To make things worse, a white, salty "ring" will appear around the stained area. This is grossing me out just thinking about it...

Keep a spare, cotton, or cotton combination DARK COLORED shirt in your car at all times. You can even bring it inside the club and hang it over a chair for a couple of hours until you're ready to change. Trust me, it will make you feel like a million bucks when you put it on after you realize you're soaked TO THE BONE from sweat. Keep deodorant and cologne in your car at ALL TIMES as well. I know some people, myself included, that bring black towels to the clubs. I bring a black towel because if it gets dirty (make-up, smoke etc.), the dirt won't show and GROSS PEOPLE OUT when they see you smear your face and neck with it...

I prefer a towel to wipe off the sweat over a paper napkin because at least the TOWEL STAYS INTACT RATHER THAN BITS AND PIECES OF IT STICKING TO YOUR FACE AND NECK.

I was once dancing with a guy that had little bits of napkin plastered all over his face from his wiping his sweat off just minutes earlier. I couldn't concentrate dancing with him, so I finally stopped and told him about it. It was embarrassing telling him for one, and TWICE AS EMBARRASSING and GROSS trying to help him peel off napkin bits! He obviously couldn't see them. We practically missed the entire song just trying to get those itty bitty pieces of napkin OFF HIS FACE!!!

Ladies:
On a more "feminine note"...

WE SWEAT TOO! ADMIT IT!!! We don't "glow"... WE SWEAT!!!
OK girlfriends, this is what you do:

1. Bring a black towel to the clubs. It can be very small, just a black wash cloth is fine.
2. Don't put on facial foundation for an evening of dancing. This clogs your pores and makes your face sweat (wet) even more. Just slap on a little blush, lipstick, and eye makeup - that's it. Mascara should only be worn on the top lids. If you place mascara on the bottom lids, you will, after a while, appear to have two black eyes from the bottom lash mascara falling and smearing under eyes. Besides, most of the clubs are so dark that nobody even notices. I've come to realize that women (including myself) spend way too much time getting ready to go out. By the time we've danced our first three songs, our hair is a complete mess. By the fifth song, our makeup is smeared and/or wiped off from the napkins and towel. If you're dancing and working up a sweat, your natural "blush" will automatically show through, and you'll look even more beautiful, naturally. I've had more men compliment me on my complexion when I don't wear foundation than when I do. Trust me, men don't really care for foundation, and prefer a more "natural" you.
3. Bring a fan. I like the nylon performance ones that push a ton of air through and give this loud "vvvrrrrooommm" sound when you snap and whip that thing open. Don't bother with the pretty lacy types, you'll end up SWEATING MORE trying to get the wind to churn up in your face with that thing...
4. Keep a spare dress in your car... yes, that's right, you heard it, right here on Salsaweb Magazine, from La FREAK. I've done it, it feels great changing into something dry, and it WORKS! Just spray on a little perfume under the pits, change in the bathroom, and you'll feel like a brand new dollar bill the rest of the evening!

If you would like to order one of Edie's oriental competition fans and black towels from Salsaweb, please visit our on-line catalog!

Carry breath fresheners, and gum with you in the club, at all times.  

Eat something nutritious before you go dancing. You'll need and use the energy! Plus you won't feel famished afterward, and overeat and get FAT.  

Spray paint (not brush-paint) or air-brush your shoes if they get too scuffed up! I have one pair that's been SEVEN DIFFERENT COLORS.. 

Former Tips of the Week 
Get out of my face!!! 
You know, you're having a great time dancing with a guy, and suddenly all you see is his FACE in YOURS, about 2 centimeters away??? (If you've been out enough, we've ALL run into this at one point or another....) Then, if he talks to you, you can literally feel his SPIT splatter all over your face!!   YUCK!!  

At first, you think to yourself, "Well, it was just a slip, maybe he lost balance.. whatever...no big deal"  BUT.  He does it again, and again, and AGAIN, and it's almost as if he wants to kiss you every other turn!!!  If you're NOT at all attracted to this guy (and even if you were...), you're thinking to yourself, "WHOA!  Stay back!!!  What are you doing?" 

OK Guys.  This is the scoop.  If a lady wants you IN HER FACE, let her do it first.  NOT YOU.  Nobody wants a face planted on their face in the middle of a song.  What's worse, is when guy's nose smashes into yours on a continuous basis!!  Ugh!  Gentlemen, this is NOT the way to dance Salsa, OK?  Just keep your head centered above your feet.  If your head is too close to hers, she will feel real uncomfortable and pull her head back further away. She will feel like she's trying to get away from you... like you're some sort of alien or something.   Then, she will say "NO" the next time you ask her to dance. 

Your head should be over your shoulders - NOT OVER HERS. Hold a good, masculin posture - shoulders back, not hunched over in her FACE!!!  Your face should average about 1 foot away from her face during 90% of the dance.  The other percent, you can do whatever... but keep it in good taste. 

This is what I do when a man repeatedly plants his FACE in mine. 

Ladies, this works like a charm. I pull a "3 Stooges" move and do a Head Butt right on his forehead, and say "Oh, excuse me!!  Sorry...!!".  THEN, when his face gets too close to mine again, I hit his face with my face (nose, or forehead - whichever looks natural...) on purpose again, and again appologize.  We keeping butting heads over and over again until either... 

A) the song is over,  
B) he lays off , 
C) he gets the *&%*$@  point. 

Next week I'm going to do an article on posture so we all get this whole thing straightened out. 

Gentlemen:
Dancing with two women, simultaneously!!! It's a trip to watch, and a TRICK to do! First, you practice an entire song with a friend, using just your left arm. Then, you practice an entire song with the same friend, using your right arm. You continue doing this all night, and before you know it, grab two friends, and YOU'VE GOT IT! Takes time to completely master, but when you do, it's a TRIP!

Dancers who smoke...

When you're dancing with someone who smokes, and you don't, or, you are a smoker and are dancing with a non-smoker, this is what you do.

If you are a smoker:
5 seconds before you get up to dance:

1st Put out your cigarette in an ash tray- do not carry it to the dance floor, drop it out there, then step on it to put it out. Number one, this shows you have no class, and second, you, your partner, or others may accidentally step on it and slip and fall.
2nd Take a swig of anything liquid nearby. Swish it around in your gums and around your tongue to get rid of that "ashtray" stench. Unless you're carrying a spitoon, you'll have to swallow it.
3rd Quickly stick a piece of gum in your mouth, or spray three shots of breath freshener in your mouth.
4th Inhale through your mouth to "re-freshen" your lungs. You see, in Salsa, because you are so close to your partner's face, you may not realize that your partner actually breathes in as you exhale out.
- This is a fact.

If you are a Non-smoker:
And realize thru your nostrils, that your partner is a smoker:

1st Be polite. Finish the song. Then after the song, quietly pull them aside, whisper ever so gently in their ear...
"YOUR BREATH SMELLS LIKE SMOKE."
2nd Offer him/her some gum, or breath fresheners (if you have any) If you don't, shrug your shoulders, point to the bar, and say with a smile, very politely, "You know what? They have water at the bar, you can rinse out there." Smile, then leave it at that.
3rd Offer them some of your own water or drink, or buy them something to rinse their mouth out.
4th Always, always, be polite, caring, smiley, and friendly. There is nothing worse, than pissing off a smoker.

Need to Study Moves, but Don't have a Partner?

Guys Corner: If you don't have a partner, are alone, and need to practice your moves...

"Create" a Partner:

• Practice with whoever's around. Sister, mother, teacher, friend, big rag doll, big dog, cat...
• Use a swinging door to practice hand and body placement. Use the door knob as one of the girl's hands, and practice your cross-body leads. Swing the door to the left as you would move a woman's body.
• Use a wall to practice your arm and body tension against the woman.
• Practice with the corners of a towel. Pretend the towel corners are the girl's hands and arms.
• Practice with a rope, belt, or men's tie. Wrap the rope once around a pole or banister, leave it at just below eye level. Use the ends as the woman's hands and maneuver them through your moves.
• Use a long pillow, with a grapefruit tied at the end to represent the approximate weight and feel of a woman's head. Great for practicing your dips!!
• If your instructor lets you, videotape your private lesson and go thru the motions with a broom.
• Use a mirror whenever possible.
• Buy a blow-up doll and use her.... (to practice your dancing moves...)

Nothing however, beats the real thing - a real woman - ANY day. Go to the nightclubs as often as you can, find a beginner, and just start learning together! This is how most of us ended up learning.

Take a Private Lesson to Get Better...

You ask someone to dance, and they say... "Uh... No..., thank you."

It DOES NOT mean the following:

• You're ugly
• You smell bad
• You're too short
• You're too fat / tall / skinny / etc...

It just may mean that you don't lead very well (if you're a guy), or you are too crazy out there to let them control you (if you're a woman)

My advice to ANYONE who goes out partner dancing, is to take a PRIVATE lesson - not just a group class - from the best recommended instructor in town. Take JUST ONE. You will find, that the instructor will IMMEDIATELY catch what your problems are - even if you THINK you're an intermediate or advanced level.

Don't ask them to teach you fancy turns or tricks until you've mastered the basics. I had to literally start all over again when I started my privates with Josie Neglia. I had been dancing for almost a year, and she literally re-vamped my basic step. We spent an entire two or three sessions, just correcting my bad habbits!

I can guarantee, if your instructor is good, they'll look at your BASIC STEP and simple turns first, then, if it needs work, they should force you to perfect that. Afterward, they will work systematically from the ground up.

Once you get the basics down - and down correctly - you can then go out, and not worry about people turning you down all the time!!

Believe me, if a man is ugly, short, or even smells bad - but can lead well - women will stand in line just to dance with them...

I'm not kidding. I've seen it happen.

Take some dance lessons to improve your skills - This is 4-sure!!! E-mail me and I'll give you some great unbiased opinions on local instructors. I've taken lessons from virtually every one of them at one point in time or another.... Any instruction will help you. Private lessons, one-on-one are the best and most cost-effective because you get 100% full attention, in a fraction of the time. Your instructor will focus on your weak areas, and be free to tell you how to improve your dancing and style without any possibilities of being embarrassed about it in front of others... 

This Floor is Too Slippery!

You step on the dance floor and... WHOOOSH! There you go! Gasping, mouth open, arms flying, semi-frantic, teetering back up, and up.... doing everything in your power to maintain and re-establish your balance...

I saw an amazing thing at a group Salsa class the other night. I noticed the floor had just been waxed VERY WELL. In fact, I think the maintenance crew really took some pride in their work this time. They must have gotten a raise - or something - because none of us could hold our ground. I slid to my partner's side, and attempted to go through the moves the instructor was trying to show us, while trying not to slip and fall. In fact, when he showed us a new solo turn, he slipped a little and shot his arms up for balance. The class thought his raised arms were part of the move, so they all shot their arms up as well! I couldn't help it, I just started laughing. It was priceless - one of those "moments" in life...

ANYWAY, our instructor went over to the bar, got a glass of water, and spilled the water on a small corner portion of the dance floor. He then placed his feet in the middle of the wet puddle, did a little "twist", then went back and continued the class. Some of us snuck over to the puddle and did the same "twist" in it too....and guess what?

IT REALLY WORKED!!!

Later, I asked the instructor if he had any other tricks up his sleeve. He told me that a shoe brush works well too. It has wirey teeth, and when scrubbed against the bottom of your dance shoes, it roughens the suede, to better "grip" the floor. He also told me he sometimes sprinkles Coke on the dance floor and/or on their shoes (when the owner's not looking) to sticky them up. He said another thing that also helps is to wash floor with soap after waxing it.

Well there you have it. Now YOU TOO can prevent yourselves from falling! Every time I screw up a turn, or fall, I would just blame the "slippery" dance floor.... Oh no ...there are no more excuses.....

NOW what am I going to say????

Any other tips you'd like the entire WORLD to know about?  
Your questions will be left anonymous, unless you tell me otherwise. 
Just let me know.  

I hope this information is useful to everyone out there who has personal questions, but was always afraid to ask! I'll discuss anything I feel relevant, because chances are, other's may have the same questions!  

Keep dancing.... 

Edie .;)  
SALSA FREAK