This question is debated in a slightly different form on all the salsa sites (I.e. mambo/salsa breaking on 1 vs. 2). There is an interesting discussion on this issue in the newsgroup, "rec.arts.dance" under the thread, "Newbie Question - Mambo Count 2." It is generally acknowledged that currently the break step in salsa can be on 1, 2 or 3 depending on where you live, a dancers unique style or based on the music. It seems from this discussion that historically this was also the case. There is anecdotal evidence that in the 40's, mambo was also danced with the break on several different beats depending on the dancer. Whoever documented these dances (IS rumba and mambo) chose the "on-2" version, possibly just to be consistent with cha-cha (pure speculation on my part).

Blair

Keh --

I expect that an English dancer would be able to give a more definitive answer, but my impression was that dancers in the UK will start with whichever foot is convenient. As long as the man is clear as to which foot he's on and wants the lady's weight to be, it doesn't really matter. OTOH, there's a tendency in the US for the leaders to start with their LF almost all the time which involves a preparation step if the first figure actually starts on the RF. Which foot you start with shouldn't matter as long as you make it clear to your partner which foot she should have free (as noted above).

--
James Marshall
marshall@astro.umd.edu
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall

Keh

I don't think I can answer your question, as the answer will vary too much depending on the circumstances, but hear are some thoughts..

If the dance is announced as a Rumba, then most ladies in the UK will expect to dance IS. The better dancers should be able to match your lead and timing, but some may be tempted to "correct" you.
If the dance is not announced, then most ladies will probably follow you ok. If you dance a box SQQ some more experienced ones may think you are dancing Bossa Nova.

In general, in the UK, there is no such thing as social style, just a different level of performance of IS. The extremes range from a toned down competition routine to an almost unrecognisable shuffle, but the basic steps are the same.

I assure you that there is at least
one dance school in London which teaches American
Social. When I go to parties downtown, most of
the people there dance international. However,
when I get invited, I just tell that I am
learning Social. I have seen quite a few good
dancers who can do both styles.
Sometimes they would add some elements from
International, than I try to follow the best I
can. Rumba hybrids included three variations:
box step which starts on first beat (proper Social
as I learned it), international steps starting
from either first or second beats. Perhaps, the
second "hybrid" was just a curtesy of advanced
dancers who knew that social rumba starts one
bit earlier.

I'm more of a standard man myself, but I'll try to help and maybe some other responses will help more. I think cha cha is a little easier to explain. The music does indeed have a strong beat on one, but it also has the characteristic cha cha sound on 4&1. Since you want your feet and dancing to match the music, you do your cha cha steps on the 4&1 and take your forward/back break (say in a basic) on 2.

It's a little harder for rumba, I think, and I don't have the new technique book on hand to look at. However, according to the old book, using the correct hip motion gives you a lateral hip swing as you flex the knee of the moving leg on 1 resulting in the foot being placed (the step taken) on 2. According to them, this is supposed to feel natural. Maybe the new book has a better explanation, but I can't remember without checking. I think the music does usually have the feel of stretching/holding the 4-1 and then breaking on 2, but it probably takes some practice to hear/feel that. This may not be a great explanation, so hopefully some other people will reply and provide some more help.

James Marshall
marshall@astro.umd.edu
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall

you are so right re ......if you learn sequence dancing first then try and learn 2nd beat rumba later it is difficult to say the least, i know thru experience, but as you say we are happy