For years, my mother has been telling me to stop going for the outwardly dynamic, charismatic guys ...
She said I need to look at the guys just behind them ... the ones who are kind of shy, perhaps a little bit awkward, but who will demonstrate more kindness and life passion than the ones who have to show it off. (I think she was talking about when she first met my Dad when they were 19). :)
I'm discovering this to be true of those attracted to salsa. It is an incredible outlet for the shy, awkward, and even self-defined dorky guys to learn to be physical with a person, to have to step up and lead a partner, and to not feel weird about being sensual. After all, when they show you the steps and tell you to shake your hips ... well, you shake your hips ... and the best part: nobody laughs at you.
Some of the nicest guys I have met through salsa are self-proclaimed nerds. A lot who work in computer science, engineering ... very cerebral and technical fields they say doesn't allow a lot of room for creativity and sensuality. In comes salsa ... and these guys have a place to shine.
And what a liberating experience for women, too! Because -- at least at Cafe Casablanca -- you can dance and laugh with lots of different people and never feel like someone is going to cop a feel or ogle you. For me, it's like going to a gay bar, except that the guys want to dance with ME! ;)
It's a fascinating socio-anthropological observation: a guy who WON'T strut down the street and put on the ego-centric "dude" charms with the ladies ... can turn into a gentle yet charismatic prince on the dance floor. I've seen it happen with a lot of guys in the classes and at social dancing ... hmmm ... maybe Mom was onto something.
See ... everybody wins at salsa. Come and check it out!
Beginner class followed by social dancing at 8:30pm on Saturdays at Cafe Casablanca.
real men can salsa
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