Yes Terence, starting side on 2 for a slow, is certainly weird. I watch some people do it and wonder how they are counting it, and where they learned that. It certainly doesn't fit the music. They are consistent so it was not a problem of not hearing the beat.

Interesting that you say 1 (quick) 2 (quick) is the correct musical interpretation of the clave rhythm. That would put the slow on 3/4. Are you implying that the International way of doing it is not the correct musical interpretation? In an earlier post you said International started at the correct time. Please explain.

By the way, thanks for all the comments you have been posting recently. They have been most informative.

The reason for the mis interpretation, in the Intern. style-- is the directional commencement.

The " call and response " theory of the musical composition, , requires the Man to " challenge " the Lady to "Follow" him-- NOT her ,-- ergo == a backwards start, would be the correct beginning ( the way that that the chains teach CHa- Mambo -- Bolero )

The first bar, sets the " tone " of the dance .
As to clave rhythm-- it will, and does reverse its self, going to " Son " clave , which many do not even realise .
A point of note- ,many Dominicans when dancing Merengue and or Bachata , DO commence right on 1 and proceed to dance left on 2-- PR, also, many times, commence side right in Salsa, --1-- tapping on 2nd beat and breaking fwd on 3.
The anomalies continue !!!!