As an American dancer, I've found that the only style of dancing I can do socially is American Style. International doesn't lend itself well to crowded dance floors.
I happened to learn American Style first, and often wondered whether I should have learned International first. When I teach someone a figure, I always teach it 'to the max', and tell them they can tone it down for each specific situation and dance partner's ability. I also teach them 'emergency escape maneuvers' right away, if their goal is social dancing.
On the other hand, my dance partner is from Austria, and he learned International Style first. We do a sort of mish-mosh of American/International socially, because he doesn't always have room for a full feather step.
So, for social dancers, I think start with American, since that's what you'll be using. If you want to compete, you might as well start with International, and learn to tone it down when need be.
And for heaven's sake, learn floorcraft!
(the whining will now begin)
I was standing on the edge of the dance floor where I teach, as far off it as I could get, and a couple trying to dance International style actually crashed into me. I wasn't even moving! And there were only about six couples on the floor. I could go on and on about getting poked in the eye because some college student wouldn't make her Rhumba arm movement 'smaller' to accomodate a crowded dance floor, but you get my point. I think (hope) someone learning American style would have stopped before crashing, and altered arm movement when necessary.
