Beso pa'ti

Beso, also referred to as Besito or Besala, is an advanced couple dance figure primarily found in Cuban salsa and Rueda de Casino ^[1]. The figure is conceptually distinct from the phrase "pa'ti" (for you), which is more commonly associated with directional basic footwork patterns such as Pa'ti Pa'mi ^[2]. The move typically initiates from a right-to-right hand hold, incorporating structural elements derived from figures such as Sombrero and Enchufala ^[1]. During the execution, the leader performs an alarde—a stylistic flourish—by raising their arm over the follower's head to symbolically mimic a kiss ^[1]. In the context of Rueda de Casino, the figure is signaled by the leader closing their hand with fingers straight and touching the fingertips to their lips ^[1]. The figure serves as a display of playfulness and connection, reflecting the broader cultural usage of the term "beso" to convey warmth and romantic desire in Latin music and social dance ^[3]. While the base move is complex, advanced variations such as Beso Complicado exist to increase the technical difficulty of the sequence ^[4]. Dancers are generally expected to possess a high level of proficiency in foundational Cuban figures before attempting this move ^[1].