Thread: Has anyone else noticed...?

Just out of curiosity... if anyone is a steady performer at the regular venues each week like myself, has anyone noticed a steady decline in the amount of money coming in? When I first started out a few years ago the tips were great, but it seems as the economy gets steadily worse so do the tips. I'm really struggling right now to meet my quota each week whereas before with the same amount of gigs, I was doing just fine.
I guess this thread is more along the lines of since we have been hitting a recession (thanks to our fantastic and competent president), has anyone else noticed a significant change? Or is it just me and the terrible karma I've been having lately?
By the way, I was totally joshing about the 'fantastic' and 'competent' president we have.

No it's not just you. I have several friends who are noticing the same thing. It is the economy at present.

{{{HUGS}}}}

Yeah. My tips are half what I was making in 2003, and since then I've moved up from Thursdays to Fridays!

Originally Posted by ElissaDancer

I guess this thread is more along the lines of since we have been hitting a recession (thanks to our fantastic and competent president)

DISCLAIMER: I am not a fan of George W. Bush.

STATEMENT: it is a well-loved fallacy that the president of the United States has great influence over the country's economy -- good or bad. I believe that both the executive and legislative bodies of the government can make a not-so-great economic situation worse by tinkering with it, just as they can mess up a perfectly good economy by trying to make it "better."

REPEAT DISCLAIMER: I am not a fan of George W. Bush.

As to topic, recessions suck!

Deborah

Yes, I have noticed it as well. It is just indicative of the economy in general. It will get better, I have faith.

YES!!! We were just talking about this today. Tips are basically nothing... Just a few crumpled bills here & there compared even to last fall... All 3 of us at the restaurant I'm at have noticed it. My husband & I think it's the economy, as well.

I was just thinking about that tonight! The restaurant I work at only was 1/3 full for the first show, and I only got one tip, a $5 from one really nice table of ladies. Let's how it gets better very soon!

I just danced three sets tonight and made a whopping $10 in tips. That's $10 total for my whole night. Man, that's depressing!!

Damn, that really sucks! Just last night I wasn't able to dance because no one was at the venue. They gave me my pay and food and that was it. My heart goes out to the owners who are really struggling with this...

I'm not getting many private parties this year at all! Really, really down from the past few years!
When I do the tips are either not included or very small.
Bad economy, I do believe it's going to get worse. I'm thinking that people are thinking in terms of "Wow that could buy how much gas?"
Stinks!

I don't dance at a restaurant but my gigs are way, way down this summer. This is usually my busiest time, with at least a couple of BellyGrams/private parties/corporate events a month. This summer, I have exactly 2 paid gigs - the Wisconsin State Fair's BD review and a wedding this upcoming Saturday.

Even inquiries are much less than I'm used to getting - I used to recieve at least 2-3 performance inquiries a week, now there are weeks when I get nothing. Those who do inquire just seem to never get back to me after my initial response, which rarely used to be the case.

People are cutting back on unneccesary expenses, and I think having a Belly Dancer is one of the first things that can go when you're planning an event. It's really very depressing...

We were just talking about that! I've been doing $15 to $25 in nightly tips recently (and a good part of that was from other bellydancers.) Just this past spring it was between $75 to $100! I did have a good night this past Sat so I'm hopeful that the trend is coming to an end...

Not just a drop in tips but a drop in attendance as well. I am seeing an average of 4 or 5 tables during show times. This is a considerable drop, more than the usual summer drop. It is depressing.

Originally Posted by stardancer

Not just a drop in tips but a drop in attendance as well. I am seeing an average of 4 or 5 tables during show times. This is a considerable drop, more than the usual summer drop. It is depressing.

This is interesting that you mention a "summer drop". We have that, too... I always assumed it was because we are a university town, but maybe it's universal? Why do you think this happens in the summer (besides the current economy)?

I don't think we'll see an end to this trend any time soon. Let's face it, entertainment is a luxury, not a necessity. Even folks who come out to eat assume (correctly) the dancer is already receiving some form of payment, so tips aren't seen as something they *have* to do... As long as the economy & media continue to scare people, tips will stay down.

Of course, there will be really good nights, too--like the one Rachel mentions--but I think that is luck of the draw & depends on who's there (like Wiggly Boy, Rach ;-) you lucky dog).

I really think that people just have better things to do in the summer. They may be away on vacation, having cookouts on the weekends, eating lighter due to the hot weather, etc. I have found things usually pick up when the weather gets cooler. In my area the busiest season is between Sept and Jan. Then we have another drop off with people resolving to diet for the new year, only to pick up again in early spring until just after Father's Day.

I don't know. Last night was jam packed full of people, and tips flowed--but they were all $1 bills, and not as many as usual...yet people raved about the shows and asked for business cards and so on so forth--and cheered louder than I've ever had people cheer me on...so I would assume I must've danced well enough. I truly think money's tighter than normal. Of course...our school season is starting here, so alot of these customers were the young college sort, & they probably don't have any money anyway...I know I didn't.