Salsa is a partner dance. This framework ensures safety, mutual respect, inclusion, and comfort for all dancers and instructors at classes and events.
>>> Consent & Personal Boundaries
The Power of No
Your body is your own. You have the absolute right to say “No, thank you.” to any dance without explanation. A “No” must always be respected.
Declining Kindly
Asking someone to dance takes courage. While you never owe anyone a dance, please decline politely. We ask our community to ensure they do not reject partners for exclusionary, discriminatory, or superficial reasons (such as age, appearance, background, or ability). If you are comfortable doing so, a friendly explanation can reassure the invitee. For example: “Thank you, but I am resting this song. Let’s dance the next one!” (and please make sure that you actually do!)
Active Communication & Role Establishment
Proactively ask partners if they prefer to lead, follow, or switch before dancing. Never assume a preferred role based on gender expression, clothing, sex, or identity. We use the terms “Leader” and “Follower” rather than “Ladies” and “Gents.” No one should ever be asked or expected to switch to their less preferred role to fix class ratios based on their gender.
Strictly PG Dance Floor
Inappropriate touching and sexual advances are strictly prohibited. Accidental contact requires an immediate apology and greater care moving forward.
Adjusting Connection
Verbally communicate to adjust your grip for comfort, and respect non-verbal cues. When in doubt, check in verbally with your partner.
>>> Personal Hygiene
Spare shirts
Salsa can be like a workout. If you sweat heavily, please bring a fresh shirt to change into halfway through the night.
Fresh Breath
You will dance face-to-face, inches apart. Arrive with fresh breath and use mints or breath strips throughout the night. Note: please do not chew gum or mints while actively dancing, as it is a choking hazard.
Deodorant
Apply reliable anti-perspirant / deodorant before arriving. Avoid too heavy colognes or perfumes, which can become overpowering in a hot room and can trigger asthma or allergies.
Hand Sanitisation
Wash or sanitise your hands before class and after using the bathroom.
Illness
If you are under the weather or still recovering from a cold, please stay home to protect the community and resume dancing when you are fully recovered.
>>> Adapting To Your Partner & Safety
Respect Abilities
Give your partner time and space to practice. Avoid unsolicited back-leading, forcing a partner through a move, or giving unsolicited advice and feedback.
Prioritise Physical Safety
Do not lead moves where your partner’s balance may be compromised (e.g. leading three spins when they are struggling with one). Never force an unexpected dip or back-bend. Many dancers are managing hidden injuries. Always ask for verbal consent before attempting ambitious dips, tricks, or drops during social dancing.
Floorcraft & Spatial Awareness
Salsa social floors can get incredibly crowded. Dancers must adjust the size of their steps and patterns to the available space, particularly steps backwards. Leaders are primarily responsible for keeping their followers safe from collisions. If an accidental bump, kick, or stepped-on toe occurs, stop immediately, check on the other dancer, and apologise.
Safe Footwear
Salsa at higher levels involves rapid pivoting and spinning. Dancers must wear appropriate footwear that allows smooth turning without gripping or sticking to the floor, which can cause severe knee and ankle injuries. Avoid heavy work boots or highly sticky rubber running shoes. Additionally, shoes with exposed metal heels or sharp buckles are prohibited as they damage the dance floor and risk injuring other dancers. We encourage dancers to consider heel protectors when wearing heeled dance shoes.
>>> Social & Online Etiquette
Romantic Interest
If you think a partner might reciprocate your interest, you may ask them once, respectfully, in a public space off the dance floor (e.g., for their number or a coffee). Accept their response graciously and continue to treat them with respect.
Conversational Cues
Disengage and respect personal space if a conversation is one-sided.
Online Spaces
Digital interactions must follow the same respectful boundaries as in-person spaces.
>>> Inclusivity & Community
Space for Everyone
Help make Amity Salsa welcoming by dancing with beginners, new faces, and people of all ages and backgrounds, not just your friends or classmates. We will not tolerate discrimination, demeaning jokes, catcalling, or abusive language.
Asking Questions
Clarifying questions are welcome. However, if you are monopolising your teacher’s time, you may need to step down a level or reserve your questions for after class.
>>> Getting Your Class Level Right
Level Placement
To ensure a high-quality experience, classes are tailored strictly to the advertised level. If you are new, an instructor may dance with you to establish the best level for your development.
Progression
Teachers track your growth and will invite you to move up when you are ready. If you feel you belong in a different level, please discuss this with the teacher outside of class time.
Taking Multiple Classes
You are welcome to take your approved level, as well as any lower level to consolidate your learning. Please do not attempt classes above your agreed level, as this impacts the learning experience of the rest of the class.
>>> I’m Worried or Uncomfortable
What to do if you feel concerned or someone has breached our Code of Conduct. You can speak to a member of our team at any time if you feel worried or uncomfortable.
We promise to:
Listen and Validate
We will listen to your concerns attentively and take them seriously.
Respect Your Wishes
We will discuss what you would like to happen next and honour your wishes wherever possible.
Protect Confidentiality
We will guard your privacy and protect your confidentiality as much as we can.
Prioritise Your Comfort
We will never make you confront someone who has hurt you or made you uncomfortable.
Everyone is held to the same high standard of behaviour. Misconduct will be addressed regardless of the status or identity of the individual, this includes teachers, DJs, volunteers, and our organising team.
>>> If you breach our Code of Conduct
We operate on the precautionary principle: if we are in doubt about whether an attendee poses a risk, we will act immediately to protect our community.
If we believe you have breached our code, our options include:
Private Discussion
Speaking to you privately to reiterate and clarify our community expectations.
Written Warning
Issuing a formal written warning outlining the expectations you must meet.
Temporary Removal
Asking you to leave the event immediately so we have time to fully investigate what happened.
Role Suspension
Removing you from positions of influence, such as teaching, DJing, volunteering, or organising.
Event Bans
Banning you from future events either temporarily or permanently.
Community Alert
Sharing relevant safety information with organisers in the wider dance community to keep neighbouring spaces safe.
We believe there is always room to learn. Our primary focus is helping you understand the expected behaviour. If you engage with us in good faith, show that you understand, and adapt your behaviour, we will give you the opportunity to demonstrate that growth. For severe breaches, or where we see no evidence of improvement, we may enforce strict measures for the ultimate comfort and safety of our community.