About Friendships, Tables, and the Bachata Community

In August 2023, I arrived in Vienna. With a suitcase full of clothes and a whole lot of curiosity, I arrived in the big city. I didn't know a single soul. Although the anonymity that a big city offers is a significant part of what I enjoy about life here, I naturally wanted to make connections and meet new people. What options does one have for that? Right, in the digital age, quite a few. And as any young single woman would do, I immediately reactivated my Tinder. A few swipes later, I came across a profile of a guy who didn't have any cheesy pickup lines or wannabe-cool statements in his description but mentioned he danced salsa and Bachata and liked to listen to Reggaeton. The pictures were also appealing, so it was a right swipe. My thought: Let's see what happens, and if through him I just find out where to go dancing in Vienna, I'll be more than satisfied. You should know that even before Vienna, I enjoyed dancing. While my dance experience was mainly limited to classic ballroom dances, I was generally open to Bachata and salsa. But back to Tinder. We matched, and shortly after, we were in a Bachata class together. I was thrilled. Especially by the dance.

I was fascinated by the ease and joy that flooded the room; strangers came together here to take a few hours off from everyday life; hours that promise a lively and respectful togetherness. Even though you don't know each other, through dance you manage to build a connection, to engage with each other, and above all, to develop a respectful feeling for yourself. Yes, I was thrilled.

From the beginning, a common ground

From then on, I went to the Bachata class once a week, and after a few weeks, I also dared to attend my first social. As exhilarating as the dance itself may have been for me, if the people I met weren't so warm and open, the overall experience would not have been nearly as exhilarating. In both the dance class and the various social events, I met wonderful personalities. What was special about these acquaintances was that from the beginning, we shared at least one thing in common: we loved to dance! And yet, quite different personalities gather in the Bachata community. From psychology students to PR agents, software engineers to AI specialists—the Bachata community is a colorful melting pot of stories and faces.

But this one commonality already says a lot. It means that you enjoy being around people, that you are passionate, appreciate consideration and attention—and, not to forget—that you are quite happy to stay out until midnight, especially on a Monday. It means you enjoy Latin music and have a sense of rhythm as well as aesthetics. It means you enjoy dancing! That's more information than you can glean from many dating profiles. So you can assume that with the people you meet within the community, you share a lot and have this one very specific starting point. For example, you can combine getting to know each other over a drink before the next social with your shared hobby. Socializing is even more fun that way!

Sensuality and Support

When I say that I dance Bachata, the reactions are often skeptical. Bachata encounters many prejudices: too close, too flirty, too sexy. Like all prejudices, these do not come out of nowhere. Yes, Bachata can be very intimate and flirty, but it never overshadows the sexual. Bachata is a sensual dance where the body reflects the passion for the music, the movement, and the dance itself. This means that, as should be the case in any situation, there are boundaries that must be respected. Anyone who exploits the sensuality of the dance for inappropriate touches or comments has not understood the concept of the dance. It doesn't happen often that someone allows themselves inappropriate behavior on the dance floor, but it does happen from time to time. The support within the community becomes evident once again in such situations. Because negative experiences are shared (at least in my experience). If someone has behaved inappropriately, warnings are issued about them. And the organizers of the social events also always keep a watchful eye and an open ear for such concerns. This sense of solidarity runs through the community like a common thread and bonds people accordingly.

Part of a Community

Now, 10 months have passed since I moved to Vienna, and most of my close friendships that I have built so far come from the Bachata scene. Like any kind of relationship, building a friendship requires work. Just because you see each other at weekly socials doesn't mean a friendship automatically forms. It takes the willingness to meet outside of that, to get to know and appreciate each other, and it takes time. Bachata dancing has given me the foundation to feel comfortable in Vienna in no time. The community is international and welcomes everyone. I could say that I only started dancing Bachata through a lucky match, but ultimately it was the people I met there who have kept me here. Sometimes it's exactly such coincidences that enrich you with the most beautiful encounters. For my part, I am incredibly grateful to be part of this community and to have found wonderful people there whom I can now welcome at my table.