Thread: can some one explain this to me?

Why can some one, afford a nice new silk veil? but not $30 private lessons to learn how to use it?

Why if I have already dropped my price to $30 for you, do you have to ask for $20,

and why do you say that my weekly class is not enough, so you stop comming when they are only $10 but refuse to pay $30 for the private lessons to learn more?

If you want it you want it if you dont you dont, ggggggggeeeeeeeezzzzzzz

Because they just want the look without the effort?

Or they just don't want private lessons?

Or maybe they're just ornery ;)

Because toys are more important than dancing to them.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Because toys are more important than dancing to them.

Bingo!

You're right... In Europe it's the same...

Originally Posted by laura 2

Bingo!

AHHHHH, This is why I ask, I never thought of that, I thought it was something I had done.......

Because owning a veil magically gives you the ability to use it - just like buying a book on gardening transforms your garden or joining a gym makes you fit (without having to actually do anything else).

Instant, tangible gratification.

Sorry for your frustration. Here's to hoping she quickly figures out how little fun she can have with something she can't use properly.

If I buy I veil, I have a veil I can hold in my hands, use many times, and I can even sell/trade/gift it if necessary. A lesson may or may not have a lasting benefit - but in some respects, it is over and gone once it is over. (I know, in other respects, what one learns is very valuable, but you see the point.)

Given that we have all experienced many classes where not much sticks, I suspect your student may fear that she will experience something similar. It may be good to explain to the student how a private lesson is different from a group lesson, and how she gets so much more bang for the buck.

My guess was that she sees that you already dropped your prices for her once that she'll see how far she can take it. Sort of like haggling at a market?

Also, people have weird ways of justifying cost to themselves. Some people are happy to spend lots of money eating out but can't imagine why someone would purchase something equally expensive.

Because maybe they would have to make a commitment and take it more serious?

"I will cover my laziness, lack of dicipline and practice with Swarovski chrystals in double layers. When the light hits them - nobody will notice that I am not even moving my body. And everyone knows that those chrystals are expensive... Ohhhh pretty"....

:tongue:

Originally Posted by david

"I will cover my laziness, lack of dicipline and practice with Swarovski chrystals in double layers. When the light hits them - nobody will notice that I am not even moving my body. And everyone knows that those chrystals are expensive... Ohhhh pretty"....

:tongue:

But the shadow knows. . ...g.:

People are lazy. I teach music lessons and see it all the time. They think that since they paid me to teach them for half and hour they don't have to practice to get better. Same concept with the veil chick. She bought the veil, so she should be good at it, right? To somebody who actually loves their skill and knows they had to work at it, this is ridiculous, but to a newcomer at an acquired skill, particularly from my generation, they think they just have to do one thing and everything else will fall in to place. My generation hates commitment and discipline (not all, but most of my friends from high school and college). They don't want to work. That takes time away from their leisure play time. It sucks, but you will find a real student someday.

Who knows why people behave like this? Could be bartering, could be after purchasing the veil the couldn't afford the class or had another resource, or had no intention of taking classes. Either way, unless they stated up front they were researching costs it was a waste of your time. Not fun.

it sounds to me the trimmings are more important than the CONTENTS of the package for this person....

we've known alot of people that are pretty enthusiastic and will invest a great deal in the trappings, the 'ooh pretty', the bits and pieces............and yes, commitment has turned into a dirty word.....don't you know, bellydance is easy? all you need is a vid and youtube?.....

she'll learn quickly that the veil has it's own personality, which will exert itself in amusing and embarrasing ways.....i've seen the 'it's easy' folks get TOTALLY entangled..........THEN she might invest in the private.......

i PREFER privates..........one on one, personalized instruction, to me, IS more bang for the buck.....definitely strengthens the 'bones' of the dance......if she's serious, she'll 'get it', AND pay it..........

I agree with Steffib-perhaps she is worried about value for the dollar or simply does not have the money for privates-though I find asking you to drop the price again to be a bit rude! She may have even quit coming to class because she is behind on bills (common after Christmas) and is embarrassed to say so. Once you have the veil you can practice at home for free-definitely not the same, but bills are bills and for most people dance and fitness take a backseat to car payments and rent.
Nikki

I have NEVER understood people thinking that I should drop my price because they want what I offer but can't afford it -- in bellydance or any business I've ever been in.

Does that work with ANYONE else? Will Macy's sell me a sweater for half price if I show them my income tax return? I can't pay my power bill this month, could I have a smaller one, please? I'm really craving some lobster, but I only have $3.


If someone can't afford (or just doesn't want) to take my class or a private lesson, they're perfectly free to skip it. I wouldn't judge this dancer on how she spends her money, whether she buys a veil or a lesson is up to her and she doesn't need to justify how she spends her money. But asking you to come down on your price is maddening.

p.s. Lest I sound like a total hardass, I do make generous work/study arrangements with students on a regular basis, or will barter for things that have value for me.

Originally Posted by david

"I will cover my laziness, lack of dicipline and practice with Swarovski chrystals in double layers. When the light hits them - nobody will notice that I am not even moving my body. And everyone knows that those chrystals are expensive... Ohhhh pretty"....

:tongue:

..l;,..l;, this is so true. I don't even own a costume and wouldn't dream of doing so for years. On a micro level, I even see this in class: the woman who comes with all the noisy gear, stands in the very front at 12 o'clock and well, the nicest thing I can say is that she has a beautiful hip scarf!!

Originally Posted by david

"I will cover my laziness, lack of dicipline and practice with Swarovski chrystals in double layers. When the light hits them - nobody will notice that I am not even moving my body. And everyone knows that those chrystals are expensive... Ohhhh pretty"....

:tongue:

WOW! That made my day

If you weighed the numbers of dancers who approach this dance seriously to those who do it as a colourful hobby,what do you think the proportions would be?
Whe I started dancing what attracted me?The music, the colour of everything and that included women wafting around with veils. I wanted to do that..it's called enthusiam and how can you veil dance without a veil and why not get the veil you really like.
Come on..see a nice veil. You may think you won't get the chance of such a nice one but workshops yup they'll be there and if I go to a veil workshop without one er...can't you see how she thinks she needs it. Yes we have all been to veil workshops where students forget their veils or think teacher will provide!
Belly Dance Bazaars have a target audience and it isn't just you young glamorous pros..even we ordinary girls want to join in and look pretty.
It may all seem pretty frivolous to those who got obsessed but don't tell me you don't love the fringe benefits of belly dancing- the costumes and accessories.