Thread: What earns you better tips? Classic or modern?

Over the past year I have had a sneaking suspicion that my audience (mostly American) tips much better when I wear full, classic belly dance skirts instead of straight, mermaid or trumpet style. So over the past 10 performances I've made mental notes about how my tips fared based on my costume. My music was basically the same, about the same sample size of people and the same general American background.

What I found is tips were *immensely* better with a full skirt. I do think part of it is the fact that I'm 5'9" and wear heels, so me wearing a tight-fitting or revealing skirt can be very intimidating.

But what about the rest of you? Has anyone else noticed this trend with American audiences? Is it different for you when dancing for the ME crowd?

I'm gonna go on a total non-sequitur and say that it has more to do with the mood of the audience and how confident YOU feel in your cossie ..g.:

As for me (Azhia can probably vouch for this, too), I feel significantly less confident in billowy layers of chiffon because it gives my petite little body that odd looking dinner bell silhouette and calls attention to my shortness. I feel much cuter and sassier in my tight skirts - and therefore, I find that I do better in tippage.

Then again, American audiences are still warming up to the whole concept of Lycra. So I can see where they might respond better in some cases to the classic look.

What a fun thread. Should be interesting to see what other feedback comes in!

O.k. here is my 2 Cents in this topic. I do two 1/2 hr show, the first show, I wear the typical turkish bedlah style costume, or something similar, you know, wearing the loose skirt. For the second show I wear the Egyptian style costume. I would say that I am very confident about my dancing and also using a variety of props. I always carry a big smile and also make the crowd a part of the show. I always, always end up getting lots of tips on both shows. I honestly don't this that the "dressing" would have anything to do with the tippage, speaking out my own experience. Hope this helps!

I love both style costumes- full/classic and modern/lycra.
I feel however that to American audiences the classic style "reads" belly dancer more clearly to them. When I'm doing two shows in a primarily American audience venue I do the first show in full skirt and second in lycra. They've already ID'd me as "belly dancer". I usually do sword when dancing for Americans though (in a first or only set)- and so need to wear classic style to accommodate doing a split without flashing. So, because I usually wear classic for American audiences (or do for first show)- I haven't had the opportunity to notice if they tip more in one than the other. SatinWorship makes a really great point about confidence of the dancer.
Arab audiences I find usually have real strong appreciation for the newer styles, including no fringe styles. They like classic, but often LOVE the new styles.
I've never worn a dress for an American audience. A friend who did however felt like the audience took a while to figure out she was a belly dancer because she wasn't showing her belly. ..l;,..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

I love both style costumes- full/classic and modern/lycra.
I feel however that to American audiences the classic style "reads" belly dancer more clearly to them. When I'm doing two shows in a primarily American audience venue I do the first show in full skirt and second in lycra. They've already ID'd me as "belly dancer".

I like that you wear a different style for each set. My audience changes in between my sets though, so I get a completely new group for set 2.

And I completely agree about confidence in a dancer; no one likes watching a self-doubting or uncomfortable performer. I feel confident in both styles of costume (I do prefer full skirts though) so don't think that's it.

This is fun to read everyone's posts/ideas! Keep 'em coming ..g.:

I wear all sorts of crazy costumes, most of them modern ones from Egypt. I find that the nights I dont get good tips are the ones where im not dancing my best. I think if your dancing is exciting and your costume fits well the audience will like you.

I don´t go out and interact with the audience until the saiidi/debke/pop section...but during magency/classical songs/entreé it seems like the GP lurves the swishy costumes-
i.e. the more embellished it is,the better!

They don´t seem to like modern costumes(Emans,Sahars) as much as "ethnic"audiences.

wouldnt that depend on your audience?

Originally Posted by david

wouldnt that depend on your audience?

Yes, which is why I'm asking for costume tip differences involving GP or ME crowds

For me personally, GP tips better with the 'typical' bd look. But it could vary by region I suppose. Or by dancer as SatinWorship pointed out that tight skirts work better for her.

Originally Posted by david

wouldnt that depend on your audience?

Yeah, that's my theory and I'm stickin' to it ..g.:

It's been my experience that much of the GP doesn't even know you're supposed to tip, regardless of what the dancer is wearing.

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

...
They don´t seem to like modern costumes(Emans,Sahars) as much as "ethnic"audiences.

Originally Posted by david

wouldnt that depend on your audience?

David, are you questioning which ethnicity? I'd say ME audiences really appreciate the modern look. Turkish and Greek audiences like both, but also definitely react well to modern- or the combo costumes that have lycra snug at the hips but chiffon fullness in the skirt.
I usually wear full skirt/classic when dancing for Eastern Asians...this is partially 'cos I usually throw in a modern Indian song and am on the floor for a short second in the beginning, partially because I often do sword for them and partially because I believe there is an appreciation for beautiful brightly colored textiles in the cultures. For parties who may be conservative I also always offer to wear a tummy cover. (off topic but might make David smile- last night a dhol player joined in during one of my songs...He was AWESOME!)

OK, here comes my experience over the years with different audiences and dancers.

(One has to know that the audience in Switzerland needs more motivation for tipping because our smallest bills start at 10 francs (about $ 8.50). )

No matter what costumes, dance styles and quality of dance technique...

Whenever there were several dancers the one who got the most tips was always the one who acted the most "sexy". .w.:

I remember a night where I danced with two Moroccan dancers, one who I consider a quite good dancer, one was brand new with a skimpy cheap costume and not much skills. We danced after each other and I (in the most expensive costume and yes, the best dance technique) got the least tips. The newbie who acted really sexy, went close to the men etc. got the most tips. And it was NOT for the dancing!

And I know more examples like that. I ended up being proud of not getting too many tips ..l;,

MEISSOUN

it would depend on the crowd but since most of my crowds are fixed ages i perform both so everyone is happy! i think i get the most tips when i happen on a song they really like.

I don't know, but I noticed since I bought my first modern costume that I feel weird receiving tips in my skirt as opposed to a belt. It feels waaaay too intimate. Am quickly making arm bands and a waist strap to give customers some good tipping spots.