Am I the only person on this board that doesn't social dance at all?

Besides the supersnooty polka crowd, I have to say that salsa dancers can be (hate to generalize with "are") very snobby. For a female to go to a club and expect to dance with good male salsa dancers is probably too much to hope for around here. Only when they see that you are good (although for the life of me I have no idea how that can happen if you cannot dance with anyone good to be seen as such) will they come inviting

As for other styles: I have been slightly exposed to the EC swing scene and I must agree that generally it is very friendly, much more so than salsa. As for ballroom, I am firmly in the clique now but when I wasn't, I found it pretty unfriendly, especially at my usual favorite social dancing hangout which I used to hate when I wasn't in the clique.

Probably not an issue in most parts of the world - shaggers. Not that they're socially snobby amongst their own group, but they usually make it clear they do not welcome other styles when they have the floor. I guess I don't take it as social snobbery coming from them, since they seem to welcome anyone who wants to learn their style. It's more like a certain sort of dance snobbery, done to protect what they seem to see as a perfect form that shouldn't be changed. (Their version of "No new steps"?) But whatever. I have zero problem with people segregating their style, long as they aren't buttheads about it. I'd actually like to learn some time. The Tangueros are pretty much into their own thing as well, but also friendly if you want to just tango.

Back on the Salsa thing - I know of a couple of places where the mafia usually doesn't show up until late in the evening. There's a bit of crossover there, as the newbies usually wander off after a while. So do I, eventually, as I just don't care for the feel of it once all that cooler-than-thou stuff starts. How high school! For me, Salsa is a purely tribal thing. On-the-one, on-the-two, who cares? It's all about getting a salsa trance on, which I love. Far as I'm concerned, pretty much anybody who wants to get way down deep into the sweat of it is cool enough. The minute somebody wants to get all "elite", the tribal buzz is screwed. Interesting paradox there, messing up the tribal thing by doing a clique thing, but it's not a paradox I want to be bothered with. Not on a Saturday night.

As an active competitive dancer I have discovered that men that know I compete are intimidated and therefore hesitant (some are downright afraid) to ask me to dance. Although I never turn anyone down and will adapt to whatever level the man can dance, even if that means just standing there shuffling my feet along with my partner. I am equally intimidated when I dance with someone above my level (silver) - ever seen a deer in headlights!!!

Phil Owl - Your post made me feel so good it was just what I needed, thanks!!! You deserve a great big virtual If you do end up down here I'll definitely save a dance (or several) for you and if by some chance I get up your way (most of my family is in New England) or Atlanta (you're relocating aren't you) I hope you'll have one waiting for me.

I, too, do not dance socially and didn't when I was competing. Main reason was I was concerned about picking up bad habits and getting my foot stepped on. Plus, I would come there to dance and talk about dancing. Most of the social dancers would talk about other aspects of their lives and it usually were aspects I wasn't interested in. No offense to anyone intended. Sometimes a person has to branch out to find their niche.