Clumsy British Man Asked to Leave Salsa Class In Mexico City
Tourist politely removed from dance lesson after elbowing senior citizen
MEXICO CITY — Rupert Higginsberry, a 47-year-old British man from Newcastle, was removed from a salsa class on Wednesday when he stumbled into multiple participants and elbowed an elderly woman while trying to learn the famous Latin dance step.
Instructor Pamela Piña said that while Higginsberry was fine taking forward steps 1-2-3, when the dance required him to step backwards or sideways for 5-6-7, he repeatedly lost his footing and collided with others when trying to break his fall.
“We see a lot of errant flailing in our salsa classes, particularly from British tourists and other anglos,” Piña said. “But when Higginsberry elbowed the 71-year-old señora, we had no other choice but to ask him to leave, for the safety of others.”
Piña encouraged Higginsberry to give salsa lessons a second try next week, though suggested he bring protective gear such as a helmet and knee and elbow pads.