Helpful Tips for Guys from a Ladies Perspective.

Okay Guys - I gave the ladies advice on how to keep their dance card full and now its your turn.

If you get a bad reputation among the ladies, you will find it hard sometimes to get partners to dance with you. We do tend to talk amongst ourselves about our favorite dancers/leads. There are a few small things that you can do to become one of our favorites.

Hygiene!

Guys tend to get sweaty, it happens, I totally understand that. Keep in mind that we are in a typically hot environment, being very active. Make sure that you are mindful and shower beforehand and use deodorant and cologne. You may need to re-evaluate your favorite brand as it might not be able to handle the situation at hand. Staying fresh throughout the night is a great way to ensure that you do not offend the ladies, we love to dance with a guy that smells amazing.

Do not out dance the lady.

I see this all the time, guys learn a difficult pattern and try to lead it on the social floor and the lady does not follow properly, gets off beat or worse even hurt in the process. Always try to feel out the dancing level of a lady before trying a complicated pattern. You should never make her feel inadequate. Start off simple and progressively get more difficult. I would rather dance clean and simple than 50 million spins. Believe it or not there is a lot you can do with a cross body lead (Dile que No)

Know your timing.

I have danced with guys that do not know their timing and are all over the place. Although I can follow, I am constantly looking out to prevent getting stepped on. I cannot stress enough that you should take your time on your lead as well, know when it supposed to be lead and not jerk the lady around when she's supposed to be stepping back. It's painful! Also, be mindful of "kicking" before you step. I have noticed many guys kicking out their steps and kicking me in the process. A way to combat this is to listen to music when you aren't dancing so the beat gets ingrained in your head, or even to try following sometime. I've even known to get confused and off beat, and I look to you guys to get me back where I need to be.

Protect your Lady.

She's trusting you for the dance. I am putting my safety into your hands. Be mindful of your space and the other couples on the floor. Do not throw her into another couple, or a wall or post. Believe it or not, this has happened to me as well. I am spinning and cannot watch the people around us and BAM I hit something or someone. Also, other guys may not be doing the same as you, so make sure to move her if that couple looks dangerous. If she does happen to get injured, please make sure she's okay before continuing, she may need to sit this one out, other times she'll just keep going.

Smile.

Have fun, nothing is worse that looking at a partner who seems like he would rather be eating glass than dancing with you. If things mess up - laugh it off. Don't scowl at her if she doesn't get your lead. Looking at my partner with a huge grin on his face boosts our confidence, we dance better and look forward to the next time.

Keeping these little tips in mind will help you become one of the favorites, and you will have girls lining up to dance with you. You may not have to even ask us at all.