Before You Start!
Once you have found a class there are a few things to remember before you actually set off for your first lesson.
Wear comfortable shoes as feet can get sore after dancing for a few hours. Avoid trainers that 
grip the floor too much and make it hard for you to move. Do not wear slip-on shoes or stilleto heels as they are hard to dance in and can damage dance floors, especially if they are metal-tipped. When you start salsa you do not need to purchase specialist shoes although more advanced dancers often do. If you do wish to purchase specialist dance shoes then visit a reputable shop although beware, they can be expensive - usually between £30 and £75 depending on the style. We recommend that for beginners and improvers, buying a relatively in-expensive pair of Jazz shoes is the way to go. Once you have mastered the basics and found your balance you can move on to a specialist pair of dance shoes.
Wear loose, comfortable, casual clothes. If women wear skirts make sure they are not below the calf as they can get caught on the heels of shoes when dancing. Short skirts may ride up when dancing so wear shorts underneath to preserve your dignity when dancing and spinning! Layers are good, because as you get warm, you can take clothes off. Salsa dancing is very good exercise - you may be surprised how warm you get.
You do not need to book or come with a partner at most places, most people come on their own and partners are changed regularly throughout the Salsa lessons. If you do come with a partner though, there are always opportunities to dance with them either sporadically during the lesson or at the end of the class.
It may seem obvious but in salsa you dance in close proximity to others so remember your personal hygiene. Always wear a deodrant and make sure that you have fresh breath. If you do tend to sweat a lot then it may be adviseable to take a long a flannel which you can use to wipe sweat from your face during your class and even a change of top. You will find that as you do more salsa classes your fitness levels will increase and you will probably start to sweat less.
Although you may need a drink to relax you during your first few lessons, it is not sensible to become intoxicated as this can make dancing quite dangerous, not only for you but also for others on the dancefloor.
Most experienced salsa dancers will ask others to dance and rarely refuse when asked. As a new member to a class it may be neccessary to introduce yourself to other members and ask them to dance with you. Remember that nowadays it is just as acceptable for women to ask men to dance and the only way to improve is to practice!
You may feel a little uncomfortable dancing with strangers at first and it can take a while to become accustomed to dancing in such close proximity with others. Do remember though that if you are being made to feel uncomfortable because someone is being 'overly friendly' or 'invasive' then you must say something either to the individual concerned or to the event 
organisers. Experienced salsa dancers do tend to dance extremely close to one another as it helps to maintain control during difficult moves however you are perfectly within your rights to say that the 'close proximity' is making you feel un-easy.
Look after your drink! Although it is rare, some venues (especially in central London) have reported an increase in the amount of drinks being 'spiked'. Keep your glass with you and leave it with a friend or in plain view when you are on the dancefloor. Keep hydrated with a glass of water or even better a bottle of water with a lid!