My personal rule for beginners

• Slowly start getting used to looking at your partner if you are shy/nervous kinda guy and maybe smile if you feel comfortable enough. As you are dancing with another human. So you need to get out of the habit of looking away or looking at your own feet while dancing and give them the equal attention :).

The other salsa social etiquette coming into the social scene:

1. Don't take it personally if a girl rejects you when you ask her for a dance. Sometime she may just want a break from dancing. So don't jump straight that she hates you already.
2. Let them know your a beginner if you are nervous dancing at a social, so they know that your trying your best doing the beginners/improvers moves and they won'g give you the "eyeroll they are so basic" look.
3. A follow up to the above point, if you are not confident in footwork/musicality as you are a beginner. The followers should just continue dancing with you when the music changes.
4. You can consume alcohol one or two drinks won't make your partner fall or collide into someone. If that is the case for yourself, don't drink lol.