Thread: Tattoos okay?

I've heard from some that tattoos showing while dancing is inappropriate for certain audiences. Others say it's not a problem. I know it's more common in ATS. Anyone have experience with this?

I've been told that it's haram for Muslims to get tattoos, but I haven't seen a situation where anyone objected to a non-Muslim dancer having them.

Several of our local dancers have very visible tattoos, and no restaurant owner, patron or party host has complained that I know of.

There are dancers who aren't tribal who have extreme tattoos -- Sonya of Chicago, certainly Bhuz's own Tinah would qualify. Azhia and Gia are also inked. I imagine they face the same kinds of subtle tattoo-resistance from conservative folk whether they're in costume or out.

Anything that doesn't comply with the most traditional, generic standards of beauty -- tattoos, piercings, very short hair, excess weight or extreme thinness, body hair, etc -- will get in the way of some commercial work, I imagine. But I can't think of a reason why tattoos would be a special issue for a dancer.

I agree with Lauren, it depends on what you are doing. I know one troupe here in LA which has a rule that if you have a tat, you have to cover it for performance with makeup. Derma blend becomes your friend. How extreme your tats are can also be an issue among some groups. But, a lot of the GP kinda assumes all belly dancers are tattooed.

{{{HUGS}}}

I wondered how many people covered them. I saw one performance where the tat was covered with makeup much lighter than the woman's skin. Didn't really see the point of that.

I think it is also about placement and what the tat is. I know that Princess Farhana tends to wear shrugs and sleeves due to the fact that some of her tats could be perceived as offensive to some people. And it looks cleaner. I am always a little surprised when I see her with out a shrug. even a tiny one!

{{{HUGS}}}

EXTREME TATTOOS *insert monster truck show announcer voice*

here's my take;

arabs do get tattooed BUT it is considered low class like it is often here. arabs are like anybody else whether they accept a tattooed dancer will depend on their predijuces.

there are tattooed cabaret dancers who have careers i would argue two things are at work there.

a. they are good

or b. there wasn't anybody else to choose from

or both !!!

in th LA market they are frowned on. yeeess princess farhana is tattooed but it was only recently that she stopped making cover ups for them

when aspiring to trouping you must consider the troupe leader has the right to dictate no tattoos or red heads or what ever they want.

if a party calls me i tell them i'm tattooed. i have explicit tattoo photos up online. they know what they are getting.

the only thing that bugs me is people assume you're tribal.

my advice is it doesn't hurt to have dermablend around. tinah

Originally Posted by tattood1

my advice is it doesn't hurt to have dermablend around. tinah

Good simple answer. I was hoping you'd post a pic of your masterpiece again!

I have two tats and dance AmCab. One of Eeyore on my shoulder blade and the other is three Kanji (special, special, special!) on my ankle. I through this question out a while ago and the general consensus was that is really does not matter. I do not however have a full time gig at a restaurant. I dance for fun and every so often at a bar. They don't care. I would imagine tho that if I wanted a job at a high class ME restaurant, they might take issue. It just depends where and when you are dancing.

Most dancers in my area have tats of one kind or another - which is one reason I'm going to get one!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

I have two tats and dance AmCab. One of Eeyore on my shoulder blade and the other is three Kanji (special, special, special!) on my ankle. I through this question out a while ago and the general consensus was that is really does not matter. I do not however have a full time gig at a restaurant. I dance for fun and every so often at a bar. They don't care. I would imagine tho that if I wanted a job at a high class ME restaurant, they might take issue. It just depends where and when you are dancing.

I must have mistyped when I searched because I didn't see it. Sorry

I have a large dragon tattoo on my lower back and I work in lots of restaurants. I also have very long hair, which covers the tattoo most of the time, but I don't hide it. I have not had a problem with it thus far.

Originally Posted by wayauwohali

I must have mistyped when I searched because I didn't see it. Sorry

No prob. I am a horrible searcher so I often ask questions that have been asked a thousand times. The advantage is that sometimes you will get more opinions or different ones then the previous thread got.

Well I havent been dancing long enough to perform but my take on it is some of the Egyptian Goddesses were tattooed , eg Amunet, so why shouldnt a bellydancer be

Lest you only hear from those that are ok with it...it has taken me a long time to "not see" one of my troupe mates tats. A great, big, shoulder spanning green man. It is beautiful in and of itself, but I found it very distracting at first. I dont see it on her anymore due to repeated exposure to her green leafy guy. I do tend to focus on the tattoos of dancers I dont know and am easily distracted my them. But, then, in my day....only sailors, certain indiginous tribes, and gang members wore them...so I am a dying breed.

I know of at least one and I think two restaurant owners in my area who will not hire a dancer with a visible tatoo no matter how fabulous they are.

Originally Posted by rscramer

I know of at least one and I think two restaurant owners in my area who will not hire a dancer with a visible tatoo no matter how fabulous they are.

They'd have a heck of a time finding dancers in my neck of the woods!

I have major artwork on my back that spans around to my belly. It has worked against me at one restaurant, but I simply wore cabaret dresses that covered the bulk of my ink (there are a couple more on my upper back that my hair cover, as well as my legs, but no one seems to notice).
Another restaurant was timid about them at first, but doesn't mind them now and in fact will "send me over" to tables where guests have ink as well - I think he thinks they will like me more?? Anyway, it's become a nice way to stand apart from the crowd in some instances - some people don't remember me by name but they do recognize the flames and giant lotus flower :)
As for private gigs, I ALWAYS let the client know that I have tattoos (tasteful, colorful), that I can easily cover up with certain costumes if they prefer. So far, only one party seems to care (and it's an American party for a 50 year-old's birthday)...surprisingly, the Egyptian wedding a couple of months ago had no problem whatsoever.
So I guess you never know - and it depends on personal taste - and there are several ways to handle it.
Suffice to say, I'm far from done getting more ink ;)

Thanks for the shout out, Lauren. *waving*

I personally have not had issues with my ink (or clients not liking my ink). I never even thought to mention to clients that I have them.

I have a tat on my left shoulder blade. It's pretty visible from the right angle but I never had any clients react negatively to it.

Originally Posted by Stratasphere

Well I havent been dancing long enough to perform but my take on it is some of the Egyptian Goddesses were tattooed , eg Amunet, so why shouldnt a bellydancer be

Well, Egypt's changed a little bit since Pharonic days. They don't even get buried in pyramids any more, can you believe it? And I heard they wear clothes now, even the slave class!

Thanks for remembering my ink Lauren! ..g.:
I have danced in many restaurants and all kinds of parties, events, and shows in NY & NJ. There is always heavy competition for regular dance work and I was never offered work because of my ink, nor was I kept from entertaining because of it.
"Good" Muslim women don't get tattooed...nor do they dance in public. That's why they hire beautifully trained belly dancers.
I never tell clients about my ink, age or weight. I have a website and they can take a look-see. If they like what they see...then we're all happy.
Those who dance and live in areas where self expression is frowned upon may want to wait to get tattooed or, like other dancers, find great ways of concealing. I knew of one dancer who added stick on gems and glitter to her more visable tattoos and everyone thought it was just body paint and adored it.
Some of my ink looks like henna...some looks like flowers and it matches my costumes...
Gia

I have a tatto onmy foot . it was there before I started dancing i only get compliments about it.
i did want one on my lower back or should but know i would not just cause i want them to focus on my dancing not the tattoo. they are addictive and i will probley get more where no on can see. well maybe my husband..l;,

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Well, Egypt's changed a little bit since Pharonic days. They don't even get buried in pyramids any more, can you believe it? And I heard they wear clothes now, even the slave class!

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,

I have had a tat on my right shoulder blade for years-a colorful Egyptian scarab. It only shows if Im wearing bedleh or something racer-backed. I've received only compliments on it.

For my Xmas present this year, I've asked Sweetie for a new tattoo. I'm thinking a big very colorful peacock on my left arm and shoulder. I am putting some consideration into its design of how it will look in various costumes-I tend to wear gauntlets, for instance, and would the head look better peeking out or a fan of feathers? But neither my dancing nor my "regular" job are considerations against.

And I agree with whoever said it-a tattoo does not make one tribal! I'm Am cab-old-style (which includes a lot of folklore and some fakelore) and love good ink!


Kitty

...

I think 6 or 7 of the 8 women I generally dance with have tattoos. I love them myself. I guess I was mainly wondering what type of, if any, audience I would need to make aware of them. I know it's not just tribal, we dance American classic mainly, but you never see a Tribal dancer covering them.

The story goes that Arabic audiences don't like tattoos but for every person who tells you that, there is a dancer who can tell you she is tattooed and has never had a problem. I would be much more likely to cover a tattoo or seek a suitable costume that covered my tattoos if I were dancing at a more formal Arabic event like a wedding, if I were you. I think if you have discreet tattoos you should always have a costume or two that allows you to cover, just in case, but if you're not able or willing to cover your work then you can just say to the prospective clients that you are tattooed and work out whether or not they have a problem.

My teacher always used to say she didn't get tattooed partly because people who hire BDers often want a slightly more conservative image of female beauty, ie hair, nails, sparkles, clear skin, but it really depends on the hirer.

Yeah, a wedding is an event where I would probably cover them.